For History FAQ
Can I apply for a marker commemorating my home or commercial business?
Qualifying people, places, and events can still be commemorated if the location is privately owned or used commercially; however, they must be applied for through an eligible organization, and the marker must focus on the folklore or folklife subject. We will not commemorate current businesses without a qualifying subject (see our Marker Criteria page).
Often, municipal historians or local historical organizations (or related nonprofits) will apply for a marker on behalf of the property owner. Our grants are open to all municipalities, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations, and nonprofit academic institutions in the United States. The applying agency must fall into one of these categories.
Categories: Legends & LoreCan I apply for more than one marker grant at the same time?
Yes! An applying agency may submit up to five (5) applications per grant round. You may also apply for multiple programs at once, including National Register of Historic Places, Hungry for History®, and Historic Transportation.
Categories: Legends & LoreDoes the Foundation limit the number of markers it funds each grant round?
Our historic marker grants are non-competitive, which means we do not limit the total number of marker grants awarded each calendar year. Applicants cannot apply for more than five (5) markers per calendar year. If you have an idea for a project involving more than five markers, please contact us to discuss further.
Categories: Hometown Heritage
Can I apply for more than one marker grant at the same time?
Yes! However, first-time applicants are limited to one application. Once your initial application has been successful, you may apply for multiple markers in each calendar year or in subsequent calendar years. You may also apply for grants from different programs, including Legends & Lore®, National Register of Historic Places and Historic Transportation Canals.
Categories: Hometown HeritageWill submitting my application early increase my chances of receiving funding?
All applications submitted by the deadlines are considered for funding equally. As long as a qualifying application is received on time, it does not change the likelihood of whether or not it’s funded.
Categories: For History, Historic Transportation, Hometown Heritage, Hungry for History, Legends & Lore, National Register, NYS Historic MarkersWhat if my Hungry for History marker idea is a food-related festival or event?
Hungry for History was developed to help communities highlight their locally and regionally created food dishes. Within that scope, we accept applications commemorating food-related events or festivals that celebrate an individual dish that is historically significant to the greater community and must still be held at time of application. Events held solely as fundraisers do not qualify. Please note, you cannot apply for separate markers celebrating a food dish and its related festival.
Categories: Hungry for HistoryWill the Pomeroy Foundation pay for my damaged marker?
While your historical marker should be publicly visible, we strongly suggest it be installed far enough back from the roadway to mitigate the likelihood of it being struck by a vehicle (e.g. lawnmowers, snowplows, construction equipment, trucks with large payloads, etc.). It is the responsibility of the grant recipient to carefully consider the proposed marker location before it’s installed. If damage or theft does occur, please notify us by emailing info@wgpfoundation.org or calling (315) 913-4060. We will guide you through next steps.
Categories: For History, Historic Transportation, Hungry for History, Legends & Lore, National Register, NYS Historic Markers, Patriot Burials, Women's SuffrageWhat types of food qualify and don’t qualify for Hungry for History® markers?
Hungry for History spotlights the diversity of foods across the United States embedded in community history, cultural heritage and traditions. To qualify for a marker, food dishes need to meet specific criteria.
What qualifies?
Qualifying food must meet all the following criteria: must be a prepared, ready-to-eat dish, such as an entrée or dessert; must contain a minimum of 2 ingredients; dish must be created prior to 1970; dish must be historically significant to the greater community or beyond; dish (or variation of dish) must have origins in the local or regional community; dish is still available/eaten today or in some form; no brand names allowed (e.g. Hershey’s, Kraft, etc.).
In addition, we also accept applications for non-alcoholic drinks with more than one ingredient (e.g. egg creams), as well as dishes composed of a single food item only found within a specific location or region (e.g. Blue Point oysters from Great South Bay, Dungeness crabs from Pacific coast).
What does not qualify?
Food available only through commercial production, including for example a restaurant’s signature dish not available elsewhere. However, as long as the prepared dish is not a brand name, it may qualify if it has moved beyond being commercially produced and now people at home make it themselves as a local or regional specialty.
Other non-qualifying items include: condiments and sauces, candy, alcoholic beverages.
Categories: Hungry for HistoryCan I apply for a marker commemorating my home or commercial business?
Historic people, places, and events can still be commemorated if the location is privately owned or used commercially; however, they must be applied for through a qualifying organization, and the marker must focus on the historically significant past. We will not commemorate current businesses without a qualifying historical past (see our Marker Criteria page).
Often, municipal historians or local historical organizations (or related nonprofits) will apply for a marker on behalf of the property owner. Our grants are open to all municipalities, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations and nonprofit academic institutions in the United States. The applying agency must fall into one of these categories.
Categories: Historic Transportation, Hometown Heritage, Hungry for History, National Register, Women's SuffrageThinking about using the words “patriot” or “veteran” in your proposed marker text?
When commemorating a person’s role in history, we prefer specific actions or accomplishments are noted. While patriot is often used to denote loyalty to the cause of American independence during the Revolutionary War, please describe the actual type of service. Examples include military service, militia, civil service (municipal officials under state or local governments), membership in a committee created to further the cause of independence, or rendering material aid such as supplies or munitions.
When noting burials in a cemetery include veterans, please be certain you are not including those killed in service as veterans. As they did not have the opportunity to become veterans, they should be noted as members of the branch of service in which they served at the time of their death.
Categories: For History, NYS Historic Markers