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Commission discusses memorial building plaque options, favors freestanding and symmetry
Summary
Commission reviewed several options for a memorial plaque near Village Hall and the memorial building, discussed mounting impacts to brick and frost‑proofing for freestanding posts, and directed staff to pursue freestanding mockups and consult the plaque vendor and public services.
The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission discussed several designs and locations for a proposed memorial plaque for the memorial building during its Jan. 14 meeting and expressed a preference for freestanding plaques arranged symmetrically.
Staff presented five conceptual options: building‑mounted plaques, plaques mounted to an existing brick pier, larger horizontal plaques mounted to brick, freestanding plaques near the plaza and a black‑post freestanding option similar to existing plaza plaques. Sandy Williams (consulted) preferred a more horizontal, wider plaque rather than a tall one, and commissioners discussed symmetry and visibility from both the plaza and the library approach.
Staff explained that mounting directly on the landmark building would require a certificate of appropriateness and noted technical concerns: anchors and condensation behind building‑mounted plaques can accelerate brick deterioration through freeze‑thaw cycles. Commissioners also asked about the anchoring system for freestanding plaques; staff said the plaque vendor would supply an anchoring kit requiring concrete footers and expansion anchors, and public services would handle installation.
Several commissioners favored freestanding plaques placed symmetrically near the entrance or plaza because they would be more visible to pedestrians and reduce the risk of damage to the original building fabric. Commissioners asked staff to prepare mockups: to work with the plaque company on a horizontal design option, to check anchoring details and frost‑protected concrete footing, and to produce physical mockups that could be placed on site for scale before the next meeting.
Staff summarized next steps: contact the plaque company for a horizontal option and anchoring details, coordinate with public services on possible placement and concrete bases, and return with mockups and refined language for an additional plaque describing the Carillon and bells. The commission eliminated the building‑mounted option from likely choices at this time to avoid risking deterioration of the landmark masonry.
