House History and Historic Plaque Program
Our historic plaque program lets homeowners show pride in the history of their homes by displaying the name of the original builder with the approximate build date on an engraved, wooden plaque. Each home is painstakingly researched by our archival researchers and uses primary and secondary sources to tell the story of the people who lived and worked in the home and at the property.
House Histories can take between two and four months to complete based on demand and our plaque carver’s availability.
The Westport Museum’s official plaque can be purchased for houses 100 years or older. Only Westport Museum can issue plaques with the Museum’s logo. Complete our order form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Westport Museum Historic House Plaque restrict me from making changes to my home?
No, plaques honor the history of the home. To check if your home is a part of a historic district—which does restrict modifications—can be done by contacting the Town appointed Historic District Commission. The Westport Museum is not owned or funded by the Town of Westport.
How do you do your research?
We date the build and original owners of the property using deeds, historic records in our own and other archives as well as secondary source information such as newspapers accounts, real estate ads and more. Research is not performed until payment has been made.
What is the cost?
You may choose to buy a plaque for your home or simply have research done about your home without a plaque. The fees are as follows:
History Only ………………………………………………………………….. $350
Plaque Only .………………………………………………………………….. $250
History & Plaque …………………………………………………………….. $500
“Doing volunteer work at Westport Museum is a contradiction in terms… It is volunteer fun! The staff and volunteers are friendly and the exhibits at Westport Museum are innovative and informative.”
— Richard, Adult Volunteer