Documenting the historical links between people and places as recorded by commemorative plaques

explore 54380 plaques

So far, plaque hunters around the world have found, photographed, and curated 54380 plaques. Use the search box in the top-right corner, or browse plaques by person, place

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Nick Harrison on Flickr
Plaque Of The Day

John Venn blue plaque

Twitter says, "A favourite for mathematicians everywhere"

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sleepymyf on Flickr
Place Of The Day

Norwich, United Kingdom

Norwich has a long history. It has been a city since 1094. From the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and one of the most important. This is refelected in its plaques.

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Most-viewed plaques

In the last 11 years, between 20 May 2009 to 6 Jan 2021, Open Plaques had 4,530,517 page views from 1,234,480 users. Some were triggered by internet memes such as Steve Ullathorne's 2012 image of a George Orwell plaque with a CCTV camera next to it. Others, such as those for Alan Turing, were probably triggered by an anniversary and campaign for recognition.

  1. George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist & political essayist lived here (19526 page views)
  2. Jacob von Hogflume 1864-1909 Inventor of time travel. lived here in 2189 (15077 page views)
  3. George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist and political essayist lived here (6390 page views)
  4. Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970 guitarist and songwriter lived here 1968-1969 (5714 page views)
  5. Alan Turing 1912-1954 founder of computer science and cryptographer, whose work was key to breaking the wartime Enigma codes, lived and died here. (4085 page views)
  6. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930 creator of Sherlock Holmes lived here 1891-1894 (3846 page views)
  7. Alan Turing 1912-1954 code breaker lived here from 1945-1947 (3679 page views)
  8. This building housed the offices of Charles Dickens' magazine 'All The Year Round' and his private apartments 1859-1870 (3339 page views)
  9. Dame Agatha Christie 1890-1976 detective novelist and playwright lived here 1934-1941 (3027 page views)
  10. The Peterloo Massacre. On 16th August 1819, a peaceful rally of 60,000 pro-democracy reformers, men, women and children was attacked by armed cavalry resulting in 15 deaths and over 600 injuries. (3006 page views)

recently photographed plaques

Foursight Theatre 1987-2012 twenty five years creating theatre inspired by women: unknown, famous and infamous

NAC Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Subjects

Ici était en 1790 la première mairie de la Commune de Montmartre

English translation: Here was in 1790 the first town hall of the Municipality of Montmartre [AWS Translate]

3 place du Tertre, Paris, France

Christuskirche Sie wurde 1859-1864 von Conrad Wilhelm Hase erbaut, 1943 schwer beschädigt und 1951-1959 wiederhergestellt

English translation: Christuskirche It was built in 1859-1864 by Conrad Wilhelm Hase, in 1943 badly damaged and restored in 1951-1959 [AWS Translate]

Conrad-Wilhelm-Hase-Platz 1, Hannover, Germany

Texas Historical Marker #09423

William Henry Burnett. (1872 - 1944) In the 1880s Presbyterian missionary Alexander R. Wilson began conducting school in the rural South Prong community of Ellis County. One of his pupils was a promising black farm boy named William Henry Burnett. Through Wilson's personal guidance, Burnett received an education and was awarded a scholarship to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Trained as a teacher, he returned to Texas where he dedicated his life to the education of black children. After teaching in several communities, including South Prong, Burnett became principal of Terrell's Black School in 1900. Among his accomplishments during 44 years of service in that capacity were the organization of the system's first high school program and the formation of a school band which he directed. Noted for his public speaking ability and his teacher workshops and seminars, he became one of the leading educators of the state. He was also an active Mason, church member and civic leader. Burnett's commitment to quality education had a dramatic impact on the development of Terrell's school system. Because of his lasting contributions to area children, the elementary school at this site was named for him in 1979. #9423

?, Terrell, TX, United States

Cäcilie Wiener [full inscription unknown]

English translation: Cäcilie Wiener

Münchener Str. 6, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin, Germany

Subjects

A la mémoire d'un patriote mort pour la france sous l'occupation allemande le 11 mars 1944 majerezak marech dit "vincent" du bataillon carmagnole f.t.p.f - m.o.i

English translation: In memory of a patriot death for France under German occupation March 11, 1944 Majerezak Marech says “Vincent” of the battalion carmagnole f.t.p.f - m.o.i [AWS Translate]

Place de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon, France

North Carolina Highway Historical Marker #J-12

Benjamin Forsyth. Officer in the War of 1812. Mortally wounded in Canada, 1814. Forsyth County named for him. Home stood a few feet north of this spot.

NC 8/65 at Germantown, NC, Germanton, NC, United States

Acquedotto civico di Camogli Chiunque danneggerà il civico acquedotto o sottrarrà acqua dalle fontanelle pubbliche adibendola ad usi non potabili sarà punito nel primo caso a termini dell'art° 424 codice penale colla multa estensibile a L° 3000 e colla reclusione fino a tre anni e nel secondo caso con una multa estensibile da L° 10 a L° 200 Il Sindaco

English translation: Civic aqueduct of Camogli Anyone who will damage the civic aqueduct or steal water from public fountains for non-drinking purposes will be punished in the first case under Article 424 of the Criminal Code glue fine extensible to L° 3000 and glue imprisonment up to three years and in the second case with an extensible fine from L° 10 to L° 200 The Mayor [AWS Translate]

Sentiero Fornelli - Batterie, Camogli, Italy

The restored cartouche above this door was designed and executed by Herbert Tyson Smith for the Bluecoat Brotherly Society as a gift to the present owners of the building, The Bluecoat Society of Arts [1965]

The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Subjects

Max Ebstein [full inscription unknown]

English translation: Max Ebstein

Weichselstraße 28, Neukölln, Berlin, Germany

Subjects

Hier wohnte Rosa Gross Jg. 1882 Deportiert 13.1.1942 Riga Ermordet

English translation:

Sybelstr. 62, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany

Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #09415

Hometown of Tris Speaker. (1888 - 1958) A legend in his own time, Tris Speaker was born, educated and buried here. Known as the Grey Eagle, he was the first Texan named to National Baseball Hall of Fame. First man elevated to Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Was on Boston's 1912 and 1915 World Series winning teams. Managed Cleveland Indians in their first pennant win, 1920. At 18 began professional play at $50 a month. Became a smart, able business man. Never wasted big money of playing career. Always "came home" to Hubbard. Here he was lifetime member of volunteer fire department. #9415

?, Hubbard, TX, United States