Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 012 - Department of Arkansas Heritage
Division 02 - Historic Preservation Commission
Rule 012.02.17-001 - DAH Historical Marker Program Guidelines

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 012.02.17-001
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

Rule Summary Arkansas Historical Marker Program Guidelines

This rule creates guidelines and processes for the administration of historical marker program. The markers will commemorate the past by acknowledging historically significant people, places and events in Arkansas. Markers must be sponsored by civic groups and organization and not solely by individuals.

Legal Notice Ad

The Department of Arkansas Heritage is instituting a historical marker program.

The Department is accepting public comment on the grant application rules and procedures through

______July 17, 2017_________________.

Interested persons may review the rules online and email comments to info@arkansasheritage.coments. The rules are located online at

www.arkansasheritage.com__________________.

Written comments may be returned to Historical Marker Program, Department of Arkansas Heritage, 1100 North Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: (501) 324-9150.

The Department of Arkansas Heritage

ARKANSAS HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM GUIDELINES

The Arkansas Historical Marker Program, established in 2017 by the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is another way the department is fulfilling its mission to preserve and promote our state's valuable cultural and historic resources. The markers commemorate the past by acknowledging the historically significant people, places and events that have shaped our state and confirm the importance of educating the public about these Arkansas treasures. Even though national and state events are sure to be recognized in the marker program, local history is just as important and having communities come together in this endeavor is rewarding and beneficial for our state as a whole. The Historical Marker Program creates a visible and lasting tribute to our history, heritage, and shared identity as Arkansans.

Before completing your application, please read the following pages.

Send your application and all required documentation to:

Arkansas Historical Marker Program

Department of Arkansas Heritage

1100 North Street

Little Rock, AR 72201

ATTN: Historical Marker Program Coordinator

General Marker Criteria

* In order for a historic person, place and event to be eligible for marker commemoration, the significance must have been attained at least 50 years ago. There are exceptions if the person, place or event is of extraordinary historical significance.

* No living person shall be commemorated.

* Markers must be sponsored by civic groups and organizations and not solely by individuals. If you are a private property owner and wish to apply for a marker to commemorate an event or person pertaining to your land, you may partner with a local organization (Chamber of Commerce, historical society, etc.)

* The application must go through the proper approval process as stated below with the Historical Marker Program Review Committee having the final approval on marker eligibility and text.

* Markers are the property of the State of Arkansas.

* All markers are manufactured by a vendor selected by the Department of Arkansas Heritage. The markers have the approximate dimensions of 42" wide x 30" high with a 7" post and 1" lettering and a uniform design preselected by the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

* Cost of the marker is split 50/50 between the sponsor and the Department of Arkansas Heritage. See the application for current pricing details and a photo example. Additionally, a maintenance fee will be added to the total cost in order to supplement future repairs or replacement if the marker is damaged or destroyed. Regular maintenance of the marker, such as cutting the grass around marker, is the responsibility of the sponsor.

* Installation of the marker is the responsibility of the sponsor. The sponsor must have the location approved by the local or county public works and gain the proper permits if necessary. If the marker is to be installed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation, then see which district engineer to contact provided through the link on the application.

* Please notify the Historical Marker Program Coordinator when planning your dedication ceremony. The Department of Arkansas Heritage will promote the celebration and assist with unveiling the marker.

How to Apply for a Historical Marker

The historical marker application may be updated at the discretion of the Department of Arkansas Heritage to satisfy the needs of the program.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE TO GET STARTED!

Put link here.....

If you would prefer to have an application mailed to you, please contact the Historical Marker Program Coordinator at 501-324-9150.

Remember...........the entire application must be completed. Make sure you.....

Obtain written and signed permission and/or any necessary city or county permits needed to install the marker.These are to be from the landowner, local public works and/or city or county government. If the marker is to be placed on a state highway, US highway, or other state maintained right-of-way, please contact the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department district engineer (see link on application) for permit information.

Map the marker location. On a copy of a city, county, USGS topographic map or a sketch map, indicate the marker's proposed location. Be sure to include cross streets and a north arrow. Indicate where visitors may park to read the marker. Photograph the proposed marker location.

Include copies of your primary sources to support the marker text. Create a list of facts and copy the relevant pages of the supporting documentation. Label each page with the fact number it represents and the complete citation.

Additional Information on Documenting Marker Facts

Each application must be supported by primary sources such as letters and diaries, deeds, census records, tax records, court records, contemporary newspaper accounts, photographs. Primary sources may be supplemented with secondary sources including National Register of Historic Places or Arkansas Register of Historic Places nomination forms, county histories, biographies, and reports of cultural resource investigations and archaeological investigations. The Program Review Committee determines if the secondary sources submitted are acceptable.

Please send only copies of your primary and secondary documents as these submitted materials will not be returned. Label each copy with the number of the fact documented and the complete citation (see citation requirements below). If copies are made from microfilm, include the roll number in the citation. If you have any questions regarding documentation or how to cite a source, contact the Historical Marker Program Coordinator.

Citations

* Book - author, title, publisher, publisher city and state, date published, page number.

* Newspaper - name of newspaper, name of article, author {if given), date, page number.

* Journal article - name of journal, name of article, author, volume and number, month, year, page number.

* Letter - name of writer and who the letter was written to, date the letter was written, the name of the collection, the name of the college, library, museum, etc. where the collection is located.

* Manuscript - name of the writer/creator, date, the name of the collection, the name of the college, library, museum, etc. where the collection is located.

* Government record - name and type of record (tax, deed, census, etc.), date, book and page number (if applicable), the name of the courthouse, college, library, museum, etc. where the documents are located.

Application Approval Process

* Marker application and all supporting documents (copies of primary sources and location map) should be sent by the sponsor group to the Historical Marker Program Coordinator who verifies that all required documentation with citations is complete, if the application is incomplete, then the Coordinator will return materials to the sponsor detailing needed information. If the application is complete, then the Coordinator gives the materials to the Program Review Committee for thorough examination.

* The Program Review Committee consists of the Program Coordinator, an Arkansas Historic Preservation Program representative, the State Historian or designee, and two additional Arkansas history academics appointed by the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Once it is determined that the proposed marker is eligible, then the marker text will be drafted. The sponsor will be sent a copy for review of text accuracy only.

* Once the sponsor receives the proposed text, any comments or changes must be returned within 30 days or the application will be considered void. If the Program Review Committee declines to make the changes submitted by the sponsor, the sponsor can accept the initial text or withdraw the marker application. Final approval of marker text rests with the Program Review Committee.

* Once final marker approval notification has been given by the Program Review Committee, then the sponsor's half of marker payment and the additional maintenance fee will be requested. Marker price includes prepaid delivery to anywhere in Arkansas. This amount must be sent within 30 days of receipt of final approval. Marker will be ordered after payment is received with delivery time depending on the marker vendor.

* Marker will be shipped by vendor to sponsor group/organization address (no private residences). Once the marker is delivered, the sponsor can then make the necessary arrangements for installation and begin planning the dedication ceremony.

* Dedication ceremonies offer a wonderful way to present the history that the marker commemorates to the community, both to those present at the unveiling and to the larger community through press coverage. These ceremonies are a chance to honor the sponsor, have the participation of local officials and media, and celebrate the uniqueness and importance of our state. The Department of Arkansas Heritage will promote the event, and, schedule permitting, a representative of the Department of Arkansas Heritage will attend the dedication and deliver a short address.

The Arkansas Historical Marker Program is funded by the one-eighth cent conservation tax which is a limited source shared by many programs. Applications will be funded only as funds are available. Not every application can be funded.

ARKANSAS HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM APPLICATION

Please read the guidelines before filling out the application. If you have any questions, please contact the Historical Marker Program Coordinator.

Submit your completed application to:

Arkansas Historical Marker Program

Department of Arkansas Heritage

1100 North Street

Little Rock, AR 72201

ATTN: Program Coordinator

Sponsor Information

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General Marker Information

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Marker Location Information

The marker must be accessible to the public and have safe parking nearby.

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Marker Installation Permission

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Note: If the marker is to be placed on a state highway, US highway, or other state maintained right-of-way you must contact the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department district engineer to obtain a permit before submitting the marker application.

Permits may also be necessary to install markers on city or county property or road rights-of-way. Please check with your city or county government to see if you need a permit to install the marker.

Marker Delivery Information

Provide a business address where the marker may be delivered between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Residential addresses are unacceptable. Please note that someone must be on hand to accept delivery and to assist in unloading the marker and post.

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Marker Payment Information

When your marker is approved you will receive notification from the Department of Arkansas Heritage as well as a statement for your half of the current cost of the marker including a $200 one-time maintenance fee if the marker must be repaired or replaced. Payment instructions will accompany the statement. Total amount due must be submitted within 30 days of the notification. If payment is not received within 30 days, your application will be considered void.

Pricing is subject to current market rates. Current Pricing for Markers through May 1, 2018:

Markers are 42" wide x 30" high with a 7' post and 1" lettering. Text is on both sides of the marker and can be the same text on each side or different text on each panel if a longer story is to be told. Marker cost includes prepaid delivery to anywhere in Arkansas.

Same text on each side:

$1850.00

Different text on each side:

$1950.00

Add one-time maintenance fee:

$200.00

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The photo is an example of the approved marker design with the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas at the top and the Department of Arkansas Heritage logo and marker sponsor name at the bottom of the text. Additionally, a QR (Quick Response) Code located in the lower corner allows you to scan the barcode with a smart device and immediately receive more pertinent information regarding that specific marker.

Marker Text

List the facts that you feel are important to include on the marker.

Remember - Space is limited. Include only the most important facts.

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Marker Text Documentation

You must include photocopies of sources that verify the facts above. Please see the application guidelines for a description of the necessary documentation. Applications with information that is not properly documented will be returned.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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