The Alabama Historical Association, a private organization of people interested in Alabama's past, has been helping individuals and local groups commemorate the state's history by sponsoring the placing of historical markers for more than 60 years. The Association's Marker Committee seeks to attest to a site's historic importance and to ensure that marker texts are accurate.
Those wishing to erect a marker should submit an application. The committee requires documentation supporting the proposed marker text or, at minimum, a list of sources used for the information. The names of persons still living cannot appear on a marker except under special circumstances.
Proposed text should be concise and factual and may run up to 20 lines with 62 spaces per line. Once a final text is agreed upon by the local sponsor(s) and the marker committee, it will be submitted to the fabricator for a firm price quote (currently between $2,200.00 and $2,800.00).
In addition to the price charged by the fabricators, the AHA adds an administrative fee of $100.00. This fee helps to build the Association’s marker refurbishment program. Your organization will then make out a check to the Alabama Historical Association, which will pay the fabricator. The marker should be delivered about 14 weeks after the final order is placed.
Download an AHA Historical Marker Application.
For information on how to obtain an historical marker in your community, see the committee's guidelines.
Direct Historical Marker Inquiries to:
Scotty E. Kirkland
Chair, AHA Marker Committee
Archivist, Reference Section
Alabama Department of Archives and History
P.O. Box 300100 / 624 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
334.353.9270