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The State Historic Marker Program was started in 1926 by the New York State Education Department to acknowledge the 150th Anniversary of the American Revolution. During this time over 2,800 small blue cast iron site markers with yellow lettering were placed all over the state. The original program lasted from around 1926-1939. Funding for maintenance of State Historic Markers was not provided in the original legislation. A database (pdf format) of markers from the original program is maintained by the Association of Public Historians of New York State.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Office of State History encouraged local government historians at the county and local level to install historic markers. There was no funding available, so funding had to be raised by the applicant. The Office of State History reviewed proposals and the applicant was given a letter of approval. This letter was s ent directly to the Walton East Branch Foundry, which was the company that had been casting these markers since the program started. It was the only foundry with the molds already made for casting markers of this particular design. The foundry required a letter of approval from the Office of State History before it would accept an order.
New York State no longer manages the historical marker program. Local authorities are now responsible for the approval, installation, and maintenance of historic markers. Anyone interested in placing or repairing a marker should thus check with appropriate county, city, town, or village historians or officials. Local historians and others often work with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to secure funding support for markers.
The original historic signs were made of cast iron. Today historic signs are made of aluminum. Walton East Branch Foundry markers are now manufactured by Catskill Castings located in Bloomville, New York.
Source: Lord Jr., Philip. "State Historic Markers, A Summary History". New York State Museum.
