<b>By Lanier Laney</b>

Historic Beaufort Foundation launched its Historic Plaque program a year ago and to date dozens of private homes and commercial businesses have attached the handsome bronze oval plaques to buildings, along with a more historically descriptive rectangle one. They are noticeable around town; both tourists and residents alike can be seen reading the information

on the plaques that help “bring Beaufort’s history alive.”

[caption id="attachment_17158" align="alignleft" width="221"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Comm-Historic-plaques.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-17158" alt="An example of an historic plaques can seen on The Sam Levin Building. " src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Comm-Historic-plaques-221x300.jpg" width="221" height="300" /></a> An example of an historic plaques can seen on The Sam Levin Building.[/caption]

Says HBF’s Executive Director Maxine Lutz, “We are so pleased that so many historic building owners have stepped forward to enhance the beauty of their properties while adding a page to the historic story of our town. It really helps to reveal the full architectural history of the buildings to everyone who passes.”

All structures that are at least 50 years old and designated by HBF to be architecturally or historically significant are eligible for markers.

Each hand-cast bronze plaque is a 7” x 10” oval that includes the date of construction, the historic name of the property and Historic Beaufort Foundation’s name. An additional 8” x 11” bronze rectangle with a short descriptive history is available at additional cost to those who want more information provided. The cost of the plaques will vary depending on number of characters, shipping and quantity.

Samples can be seen at HBF headquarters at 208 Scotts Street where applications can also be picked up. Applications can also be downloaded from www.historicbeaufort.org.

<b>Forty descriptive plaques still available</b>

Thanks to a fund established by Beaufort 300, free descriptive rectangular plaques are available to commercial building owners who qualify on a first come, first served basis. Please go to www.historicbeaufort.org to download an application or call  843-379-3331 for more information.
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