FAQ

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.

Your marker is manufactured to last for many, many years. But did you know that regular maintenance can help extend your marker’s “like new” look for decades to come? Here are a few helpful tips to get you started.

Carefully planned placement of your marker

• Markers last much longer when they are placed in a location that minimizes the impact of the elements. Take into consideration the proximity of your planned location to roads, passing snowplows, trees, utility poles, water, etc.

Marker pole preparation

• We recommend using a piece of poly plastic between the connecting surfaces of the pole and marker. This is a simple yet effective way of keeping the surfaces from corroding together and making removal of the marker from the pole much easier if ever needed. An oversized piece of plastic can be cut, then draped over the top of the pole, and temporarily taped in place while the marker is set on the pole. Once the screws of the mount have been tightened, carefully trim off the excess plastic at the base of the marker, making sure not to cut into the coating on the pole.

Annual cleaning

• Cleaning your marker once a year with a mild mix of soap and water will extend the life of your marker. In doing so, you are removing a layer of road salt, dust, pollen, tree sap and other contaminants that will eventually degrade your marker’s coating. You may have to clean your marker more frequently if it is exposed to extreme conditions. Non-metal brushes or cloth are recommended for cleaning.

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.

Yes! You may apply for multiple markers in each grant round or in subsequent grant rounds. You may also apply for grants from different programs, including Legends & Lore®, National Register of Historic Places and Historic Transportation Canals. 

Yes. However, we often grant 30-day extensions to applicants in order to allow time to gather any additional primary sources we may request in support of your application.

Our historic marker grants are non-competitive, which means we do not limit the total number of marker grants awarded during each grant round. Applicants cannot apply for more than five (5) markers per grant round. If you have an idea for a project involving more than five markers, please contact us to discuss further.

Yes! Please give it your best shot first.  It is common for us to suggest alternative text, even without being asked. Include the names of people being commemorated on the title line of the marker. For example, “Amelia Jenks Bloomer” or “Jonathan Smith.” If there are too many to fit the marker, note their significance, as in “Revolutionary War Soldiers Buried Here.” Review our historic signage map for inspiration. Finally, we’re always happy to help! Contact us with questions about your proposed inscription.

No. The Pomeroy Foundation provides grants that pay for the entire cost of the marker, pole and shipping. Our grants do not require matching funds.

Once the marker grant application is approved, you will receive an email with a Letter of Agreement to be signed electronically by an authorized representative of your organization. When this is completed, the Foundation will mail a check for the total cost to your organization, as well as information that explains how to order the marker from our foundry.

The grantee is only responsible for the installation. Local public works, highway department or civic organizations often volunteer to help with this step.

Our grants are open to all municipalities, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations and nonprofit academic institutions in New York State. The applying agency must fall into one of these categories. Often, municipal historians or local historical organizations (or related nonprofits) will apply for a marker on behalf of the property owner.

We can all agree that historic markers need to be historically accurate. The only way to ensure that is with primary sources. If the name William G. Pomeroy Foundation is on the credit line, we want to assure readers that the inscription may be relied upon without a doubt as being well-researched, well-written and historically accurate. Not only for those of us who are enjoying the markers today, but for future generations.

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.