Historical Marker Database Explained

The Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org) is an online database that documents locations of numerous historical markers and commemorative plaques in the United States as well as other countries. The database was launched in 2006 by computer programmer J. J. Prats.^[1]

The HMdb was launched in 2006 with 179 markers that Prats had personally documented. By 2015 the site listed more than 74,000 markers.^[2] In addition to listing markers in the United States, the site also lists some markers from more than 40 other countries.^[2] By the start of 2018, the site documented more than 100,000 markers.^[3]

The HMdb has been described as "crowdsourced", and according to the site's self-description, "Anyone can add new markers to the database and update existing marker pages with new photographs, links, information and commentary."^[4] Editors review entries before they are accepted into the database.^[5]

Artist Paul Druecke described the HMdb as "a different sort of catalogue", one that "allows geeks like me to explore historical plaques throughout the United States."^[6] Druecke did a series of charcoal drawings depicting official state-sponsored plaques.^[6]

In 2011, Silvio Lacetti argued that the HMdb "offers a wonderful opportunity" for history teachers to instill interest in students by being "a Columbus leading his or her young crew on journeys of local historical discovery", enabling them "to search, discover and learn" through historical markers.^[7]

The HMdb displays historical event locations using Google Maps.^[8] The HMdb served as the basis for the database for the online augmented reality game Ingress, which was then later repurposed for Pokémon Go.^[9]

Bibliography (additional)

• Chung . Yun Shun Susie . Collections of Historical Markers and Signage and Public Programming Online at Public History Institutions Such as Museums and Archives . Collections . September 2017 . 13 . 3–4 . 243–263 . 10.1177/155019061701303-404 . 159274763 . 1550-1906.

External links

• HMdb.org (About page)

Notes and References

1. Ural . Susannah J. . Ural on URLs: The Historical Marker Database . . April 2011 . 50 . 2 . 71 . 10 October 2019 . 0009-8094.
2. News: Stephens . Steve . Website locates wide range of historical markers . 10 October 2019 . . 17 July 2015 . en.
3. Baram . Uzi . In an Age of Heritage Signs, Encouraging Archaeological Sites to be Cosmopolitan Canopies . Present Pasts . 27 September 2019 . 9 . 1 . 1–8 . 10.5334/pp.79. free .
4. Web site: About the Historical Marker Database . Historical Marker Database . 11 October 2019.
5. News: Sullivan . Laura . Jin . Connie Hanzhang . McMillan . Nick . April 21, 2024 . Curious, fascinating and offensive markers from around the U.S. . NPR News.
6. Book: Douberley . Amanda . Druecke . Paul . Paul Druecke . Knight . Cher Krause . Senie . Harriet F. . A Companion to Public Art . 2016 . John Wiley & Sons, Inc. . 9781118475331 . 376–385 . 10.1002/9781118475331.ch17 . en . The Memory Frame: Set in Stone, a Dialogue.
7. News: Laccetti . Silvio . Opinion: Historical Marker Database website provides fun way to record N.J. landmarks . 10 October 2019 . The Times (Trenton) . 2 July 2011 . en.
8. Díaz-Kommonen . L. . Timonen . A. . Reunanen . M. . ImaNote: a Zoomable Web-Based Multi-User Image Viewing and Annotation Tool . Eurographics . 2007 . 17073263 .
9. Judge . Elizabeth F. . Brown . Tenille E. . Pokémorials: Placing Norms in Augmented Reality . U.B.C. Law Review . 2017 . 50 . 4 . 971–1016 .