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Library of Virginia
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Library of Virginia, Public Services and Outreach Division. Highway Historical Marker Records, 1928-1975. Accession 27998. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Transferred from Publications and Educational Services Division, The Library of Virginia, 8 March 1973.
Virginia's historical marker program is the oldest such program in the nation, beginning in 1927 when a handful of markers were erected along U.S. 1 between Richmond and Mount Vernon. Originally the Conservation and Economic Development Commission was tasked with creating historical markers. In 1949, the Virginia Department of Highways was assigned the responsibility for installing and maintaining new markers, and in 1950 the Library of Virginia took over researching and approving new makers. In 1966, management of the highway markers was transferred to the newly created Virginia Landmarks Commission, the predecessor agency of the Department of Historic Resources. Today VDOT (Virginia Dept. of Transportation) retains primary responsibility for installing new markers and maintaining existing ones.
More information on the marker program and an online database search is available at: Virginia Department of Historic Resources Historical Highway Markers
Records, 1928-1975, including charts and keys, clippings, correspondence, inscriptions, invoices, maps, negatives, notes, photographs, and publications of the Highway Historical Markers program in Virginia. The collection is arranged into two series, Series I: Administrative records and Series II: Marker inscriptions and photographs. These records trace the design, construction, wording, and images of the Highway marker program in Virginia.
This collection is arranged into the following series:
Series I: Administrative records, 1928-1975 Series II: Marker inscriptions and photographs, 1928-1975Records, 1928-1975, including charts and keys, clippings, correspondence, histories, invoices, lists, orders, price lists, and publications documenting the administration of the Highway Historical Marker program in Virginia. Included is correspondence with members of the Advisory Committee, including Dr. Thomas Abernathy, Dr. Cannaday, and Dr. Swem; correspondence regarding the research involved in locating historical sites, correct spelling of signs, and the placement and ordering of signs; correspondence from other states requesting information on Virginia's highway marker program; requests and suggestions for signs; and correspondence regarding funding issues throughout the years [including wartime restrictions on materials]. Also included is correspondence with the Highway Department landscape engineers regarding the erection and replacement of various markers. Of note is the folder containing histories, memorandums, and policies of the highway program, 1930-1964.
Included is correspondence and price lists from sign making companies, Lake Shore Markers (Erie, Pa.), and Salem Foundry and Machine Works (Salem, Va.); lists of markers erected, markers needing further work, markers broken, requests for markers, and lists of photographs of markers. Also included are folders relating to the marker coding system and index cards of marker inscriptions, arranged alphabetically. The index cards include the name of the marker, letter code, location, and dates ordered, relocated, photographed, and painted. Some of the index cards include small photographs of the markers.
Of note are the various editions of the State Historical Markers of Virginia publication and the maps of Virginia showing location of markers [oversize bound volume box 39]. While the bulk of the marker inscriptions are in Series II: Marker inscriptions and photographs, researchers should also check this series for information on marker coding, as well as markers erected, as the information is included in both series.
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Records, 1928-1975, including correspondence, inscriptions, invoices, negatives, notes, and photographs documenting the historic marker program in Virginia. Subseries A. Marker inscriptions includes correspondence, draft and final wording of markers, invoices, newspaper clippings, notes, purchase orders, and requisitions. Includes correspondence regarding replacement of broken markers, and changes, placement, and suggestions for markers. Also includes notes on when the marker was erected and if it was replaced or broken. Subseries B. Photographs includes photographs and negatives of the markers arranged by marker number.
Arranged by marker number in two subseries : Subseries A: Marker inscriptions and Subseries B: Marker photographs.