When you purchase a House Genealogy or House History from Historic Cape Cod, you will be asked to sign the following Terms of Agreement prior to being invoiced. If you are purchasing one of these items as a gift, you assume the responsibility of notifying the homeowner of these terms. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Plaque Placement
The homeowner is responsible for installing the plaque on their home. The plaque must be installed on a side of the house facing a public way. The exact placement is left to the homeowner, but public visibility is encouraged. Homeowners must do their own due diligence regarding restrictions placed on their homes by local historic districts, homeowners associations, etc.Plaque Text
Each handmade marker displays your home's build date and identifies the original owners, or significant residents, and their occupations. If an exact build date cannot be determined, circa or c. will be used.
Upon the completion of your house history, Historic Cape Cod will suggest the wording for your house marker. A full print proof for the plaque will be provided by the sign company prior to final production. Once approved, your marker will be completed in approximately 4-8 weeks and will be mailed directly to the address you provide. The timeline may vary due to Chatham Sign Shop's availability.
We reserve the right to deny any specific requests for wording on markers that we feel are inconsistent with the history of the house.
The findings presented are based on professional research and guidance. The discovery of additional sources or interpretations may affect the conclusions.
Homes Built Prior to 1827
On October 27, 1827, a fire destroyed approximately 94 volumes of land deeds, leaving a gaping hole in the history of Barnstable County’s land ownership. Many of these deeds were later rerecorded but gaps still remain.
If your home was constructed prior to 1827, additional research may be needed to identify the approximate build date of your home. In this instance, we rely on available maps, documents, and architectural clues to inform us. For those interested in an even closer look at their home’s construction, Historic Cape Cod offers an optional site visit and architectural study with a renowned Architectural Historian for an additional fee.
Photographs
Pending the availability of images via recent real estate listings, Google Streetview, and Google Earth, you may be asked to provide photographs of your home to Historic Cape Cod to best determine the build date of the structure. These photographs will be shared with historians, architects, and preservationists during the research process. These photographs may also be used for marketing purposes by Historic Cape Cod. If so, any identifiable information will be omitted, unless otherwise specified by the homeowner. (Such as for an AirBnB or public location)
Suggested Images:
Exterior: Photographs that capture any building additions, outbuildings, foundations, rooflines, and moldings.
Interior: Photographs that capture any moldings, fireplaces, flooring, and unique features. If you have access to the attic or basement, photographs of any exposed framing are especially helpful.