Berkeley Historical Plaque Project facts for kids

A special plaque on the Main Branch Library in Downtown Berkeley

A plaque for the Thousand Oaks neighborhood and its unique urns

The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project is a cool group that started in 1997. It's a non-profit organization in Berkeley, California. Their main goal is to show off Berkeley's amazing history. They do this by placing special plaques on important buildings and places.

Many groups help the project, like the City of Berkeley and the Berkeley's Landmarks Preservation Commission. Other supporters include the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) and the Berkeley Historical Society (BHS). These groups work together to celebrate Berkeley's past.

The project members work with building owners to create and put up these plaques. Some plaques are oval and green. They tell you the name, dates, and why a historic building is important. Other plaques are rectangular with a cream-white background. These show interesting historic sites and often include an old photo of the spot.

In 2002, the project won a "President’s Award" from the California Preservation Foundation. This award was for their great work in saving history. That same year, Berkeley's Mayor and City Council praised the project members. They thanked them for working hard to make Berkeley's history a living part of the community today.

Exploring Berkeley's History with Plaques

The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project helps everyone learn about the city's past. They make sure important places are remembered and celebrated. Each plaque tells a story about Berkeley's rich history.

Exploring History Online: e-Plaques

In 2012, the Plaque Project launched a website. This site helps share their work with even more people. You can find plaques organized by different areas on interactive maps. The website also includes old photos and links to videos or talks.

This online part is called "e-Plaques." It lets you explore historic buildings and homes of famous Berkeley residents. You can even learn about special natural spots, all from your computer! The project also uses "crowd-sourcing." This means people like you can help add more stories and photos to the website. Over time, this section will grow into a big, shared picture of Berkeley's history.