Blue plaques are now one of Britain's most recognisable ways of connecting people with the history of a building. Yet here's the surprise: commemorative plaques have not always been blue, they have not always been round and the familiar design took decades to evolve.
Quiz Trails also creates personalised heritage plaques, helping families, businesses and communities mark their own people, places and stories. Explore our Heritage Plaques here: https://www.quiztrail.co.uk/collections/heritage-plaques
WHEN DID THE BLUE PLAQUE SCHEME BEGIN?
The idea was first proposed in the House of Commons by MP William Ewart in 1863. The Society of Arts took up the scheme in 1866 and erected its first two plaques in London in 1867.
The first commemorated poet Lord Byron at his birthplace in Holles Street. That building was later demolished, so the plaque did not survive. A plaque to Napoleon III, also erected in 1867, is the oldest surviving plaque from the scheme.
WERE THE FIRST BLUE PLAQUES ACTUALLY BLUE?
Yes - the very earliest plaques were blue. Yet producing blue was expensive and difficult, so the Society of Arts soon mainly used chocolate brown.
Over the following decades the designs became wonderfully varied. Plaques appeared in brown, sage, terracotta and blue and were also made from materials including bronze, stone and lead. Some were round, others square or rectangular.
WHEN DID BLUE BECOME THE STANDARD COLOUR?
After the London County Council took over the scheme in 1901 it continued experimenting with colours and designs. Blue ceramic plaques became the standard from 1921 because blue was considered to stand out particularly well against London's brickwork and stucco.
The simplified blue roundel we recognise today dates from 1938. Remarkably, it was designed by an unnamed student at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, who was paid just four guineas.
WHO RUNS THE OFFICIAL LONDON BLUE PLAQUE SCHEME TODAY?
English Heritage has run London's official scheme since 1986. More than 1,000 official plaques now connect famous people with the buildings where they lived and worked.
ARE ALL HERITAGE PLAQUES OFFICIAL ENGLISH HERITAGE PLAQUES?
No. Many councils, civic societies, organisations, businesses and individuals create commemorative plaques of their own. The official English Heritage scheme has its own eligibility rules and applies specifically to its scheme.
CREATE YOUR OWN PERSONALISED HERITAGE PLAQUE
History does not only belong to famous names. A family home, remarkable relative, much-loved local character, business anniversary, sporting achievement or special building can all have a story worth recording.
Quiz Trails creates personalised heritage-style plaques for customers who want to celebrate their own history. Explore our Heritage Plaques and create a lasting marker for a story that matters to you: https://www.quiztrail.co.uk/collections/heritage-plaques
Quiz Trail is a Community Interest Company (a not-for-profit) - Making History an Adventure ...
