Historic House Sign Program

Southborough Historic House Sign Program

This program offers owners of historically and/or architecturally significant Southborough homes or other buildings the opportunity to show their commitment to historic preservation and to Southborough’s rich history with a plaque commemorating the building’s date of construction and, in most cases, its historic name. Participation in the program does not restrict the property owner with regard to current or future renovations.

About the Signs

Signs are 16” wide x 12” high x ¾” thick and made of a white PVC material for durability, with digitally printed black lettering, matte laminated. Black stainless steel screws are provided for mounting.

Cost

Signs are currently provided free of charge to Southborough residents, although the Southborough Historical Commission encourages donations in any amount from recipients and others wishing to help us continue to fund the program. The current cost to the Southborough Historical Commission is approximately $75 per sign.

To donate to the program, make checks payable to the “Town of Southborough” and write “Historical Commission donation account” in the memo line to ensure the funds are properly credited.

Mail checks to:

Town of Southborough Treasurer
17 Common Street
Southborough, MA 01772

Placement

The Historical Commission recommends placement either at the far-right corner, top of the first story of the street-facing side of the home, or to the right of the front door (particularly when there’s a front porch or portico), although conditions may dictate placement on the left. The Commission is happy to consult with property owners on optimal sign placement. Installation is the responsibility of the property owner.

What properties qualify?

1. The property must meet the definition of an “Historic Building” provided in the Town of Southborough Zoning Code: 

“A building or structure listed on the Historic Properties Survey of Southborough Massachusetts June 2000, on file with the Town Clerk's office, and as may be subsequently amended and approved by the Southborough Historical Commission, or any other building or structure that is more than 85 years old.”

2. The property must be in good repair, contribute to the streetscape, and retain sufficient integrity of features to convey its original architectural and/or historic identity. In assessing a property’s integrity, the Southborough Historical Commission will be guided by principles established by the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Please note that the quickest route to finding a listed property is through the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) database, administered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. To search: Accept terms and conditions, then add Southborough and your address to the search filters. Be aware that many qualifying homes, while perhaps not detailed in an individual MACRIS report, will appear in an area report (for example, “Cordaville” or “East Southborough Center”).

To apply or ask a question:

Please email the Historical Commission with any questions about eligibility or to request a sign. To apply, include your name, the full address of the property, believed date of construction, and any other pertinent historical or architectural information. Also, attach a photograph of the street-facing side of the property. The Southborough Historical Commission will review your application at an upcoming meeting and contact you regarding our findings. If approved, the Commission will consult with you regarding final wording prior to production of the sign. Anticipated time from application to delivery is 60-90 days, depending on the Commission’s meeting schedule and our vendor’s production schedule.