La Plata commission advances historic plaques, considers state preservation partnership

Members of the La Plata Historic Preservation Commission voted to continue development of a unified plaque program for notable local buildings and discussed broader preservation tools including wayside signage and a possible partnership with the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The commission's plaque subcommittee (work group) described a proposed bronze plaque design and discussed eligibility criteria focused initially on commercial and public buildings along main corridors. Kathy Quimby and Marybeth Chandler presented the subcommitteerecommendation for uniform plaques intended to identify and promote historic properties and to support a future walking tour augmented by QR codes and online materials.

Why it matters: a uniform plaque program and coordinated historic signage can boost heritage tourism, codify local civic memory and serve as the first step toward more formal preservation tools. Commissioners also discussed whether the town should pursue certified local government (CLG) status with the state, a step that would require ordinance changes but could…