General Criteria:

• The subject of a marker may be an event, place, person, group, or institution significant in Delaware’s local, regional, state, or national history.
• The official categories of historical markers are:
  • City/Town
  • Geography
  • Historic Location
  • House of Worship
  • Hundred
  • Notable Person
  • School
  • Social History
• Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by the Delaware Public Archives.
• A proposed marker topic must have historical significance based on its influence, effect, or impact on Delaware’s history or cultural development.
• Applicants must submit documentation demonstrating the topic’s significance, including appropriate primary and secondary sources with citations. Incomplete or missing research will delay the review process.
• The Delaware Public Archives will conduct research to verify information submitted by applicants for inclusion in the marker text. Information will not be included unless it is verified by documentation identified by Delaware Public Archives staff or provided by the applicant.
• Before applying, consider consulting or partnering with other groups. For example, if the application concerns a school, have you notified the school district? If it is for an individual, have you contacted their family?
• All applications must include a letter of support for the proposed marker from the property owner and/or the city or town where the marker will be placed.
• The Delaware Public Archives reserves the right to deny a marker request that does not meet program criteria.
• Eligibility is subject to the Eligibility Guidelines (see below).
• Age requirements are considered in the context of historical events. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Delaware Public Archives.
• A building, group, site, or event is not eligible for a marker solely based on its age.
• Listing in the National Register of Historic Places does not automatically qualify a site or structure for a State of Delaware Historical Marker.
• The Delaware Public Archives may also deny a request if a significant number of similar sites are already represented in the State of Delaware Historical Markers Program.
• The Delaware Public Archives recognizes that historical understanding evolves. New research may lead to revisions of existing markers. Some collection materials may reflect outdated or harmful language; they are preserved for historical accuracy, but the Archives is committed to improving descriptions to be more inclusive and encourages users to report concerns.
• Please see the Archives Harmful Content Advisory for more information.
• The Director and State Archivist has final approval of all marker text and may exercise the right to revision at any point in the development of the text or after a marker has been installed.

Eligibility Guidelines

Structures / Architecture

• A building or structure may be eligible for a marker if one or more of these criteria are met:
  • The building or structure played a role in important historical events or movements that shaped Delaware’s history in a meaningful way—locally, or as part of larger state-wide developments or trends.
  • The structure embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or construction method.
• Historical markers are generally not placed at private residences.
• A structure less than 50 years old will only be considered if it is of exceptional historical importance.

Houses of Worship

• When researching and approving a house of worship for a historical marker, the Delaware Public Archives strives to tell unique and underrepresented histories.
• A place of worship is eligible for a marker if one or more of these criteria are met:
  • The site or structure is connected to a significant historical event or person.
  • Sites associated with events or individuals already recognized by existing markers or monuments may receive less favorable consideration.
  • The site or structure was established in the colonial period or the era of emancipation/reconstruction.
  • The site or structure was the first of its kind in a major denomination in the local area.
  • The site or structure has historically significant architectural features.

Cemeteries

• A cemetery is eligible for a marker if the site is associated with or integral to historical events.
• A cemetery will not be considered eligible based solely on its age.
• A cemetery less than 100 years old will only be considered if it is of exceptional historical importance.

Notable Delawareans

• Markers for notable Delawareans will not be approved for a living person; eligibility requires that the individual has been deceased for over five years.
• An individual is eligible for a marker if they made significant contributions to the history or cultural development of the municipality, state, region, or nation, or were a key player in a major historical event.
• Individuals will not be singled out when many have shared equally in an event of historical importance.
• Markers will not be approved for subjects that are exclusively genealogical, family-related, or honorary in nature.

Societies / Social Groups

• Societies, social groups, and topics in social history are eligible for a marker if one or more of these criteria are met:
  • The society or social group can demonstrate that their specific group, hall, lodge, or meeting house was integral to the history or development of the state, region, or nation.
  • The society or social group can demonstrate that it played a key role in a major historical event.
  • Groups must demonstrate that their group formed and/or the major historical event occurred over 50 years ago.
• If a parent organization is already recognized, individual branches such as groups, halls, lodges, or meeting houses will not be eligible unless they meet additional specific criteria.

Last revised: August 19, 2025.