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

explore 54163 plaques

So far, plaque hunters around the world have found, photographed, and curated 54163 plaques. Use the search box in the top-right corner, or browse plaques by person, place

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Plaque Of The Day

Trinity and Gadget bronze plaque

Jez says, "This place is only open to the public two days a year, and there's a radiation danger!"

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.

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

Nick Ness on Flickr All Rights Reserved

Revd Thomas Larkham MA 1602-1669 Vicar of Tavistock 1648-1660 Founder of Tavistock & Cockermouth Independent Churches

Russell Street, Tavistock, United Kingdom

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Robert Adam 1728-1792 architect

Boston House, 37 Fitzroy Square, London, United Kingdom

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Meredith Brown 1845-1908 social reformer and founder of the Shaftesbury Institute lived in this building

78 Dee Street, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

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Texas Historical Marker #14708

Camp of Texas Army. #14708

?, Moulton, TX, United States

Eric Ravilious artist and designer lived here 1903-1942

Bank House, 11 St. James Street, CO9 3EN, Castle Hedingham, United Kingdom

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Ernest Walton 1903-1995 Physicist and Nobel Laureate at school 1915-1922

Front Door of Methodist College, Belfast, United Kingdom

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Texas Historical Marker #07094

Old Ellis County Jail. Due to overcrowding in the existing jail facility, this structure was completed in 1888. The Ellis County Commissioners Court awarded the contract to Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. A round turret with conical roof dominates the design. Decorative brick corbeling runs below the cornice. The two-story brick and stone jail contained the Sheriff's family residence on the first floor. There were twenty 4' X 8' cells which accommodated two prisoners each. The solitary confinement and death cells were in the basement. A rotary system, one of the few in the United States, was installed to prevent escapes. A cylinder contained a group of ten cells. The outer walls were stationary jail bars with only one opening. The cylinder turned to provide access to the single door. The entire jail yard was enclosed by a fence of iron bars. Bloodhounds were kept in the yard in the early days. After a new county jail was constructed in 1929, this facility housed the relief work commission during the depression. Afterward a variety of commercial enterprises occupied the space. #7094

?, Waxahachie, TX, United States

Felled by the Right Hon W. E. GladstoneMay 11th 1875

Tunnel Road, Nottingham, United Kingdom

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In commemoratione IV centenarii Huis Cappellae exspirationis MDCXIII MMXIII Pontifex maximus Franciscus P.P. Huic regiae fraternitati atque Archisodalitati concessit Celebrationem anni iubilaris, Intercessionis Gratia Domini Archiepiscopi Hispalensis Ioannis Iosephi Asenjo Pelegrina Laus Deo

Museo de Bellas Artes - Plaza de Museo, Seville, Spain

From June 1838 until May 1839, Branwell Brontë worked as a portrait painter at his studio and lodgings on Fountain Street (the street facing you). He continued writing with his sister Charlotte, Tales of Angria, inspired by growing Chartist unrest and the flourishing cultural life of a growing industrial town.

Junction of Manor Row and Simes Street, Bradford, United Kingdom

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Bishopwearmouth Panns. A Scottish Army camped here during the Civil War, occupying Sunderland, unopposed, from 1644-47 for the Parliamentary cause. The army overcame the Marquis of Newcastle's Royalist forces in a series of battles, notably at Offerton, Hylton and South Shields.

Bridge Street, Sunderland, United Kingdom

Texas Historical Marker #01956

Former TSTA Building. Completed in 1930, this building was constructed to serve as the headquarters of the Texas State Teachers Association. Noted Fort Worth architect Wiley G. Clarkson design the structure, which features Renaissance Revival styling. In 1949 the decision was made to move the TSTA offices to Austin, and the building was later purchased by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association which remained here for thirty years. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark- 1981. #1956

410 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX, United States

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