Sherry's Quarter Notes - National Historic Marker Day: Help Music History Sparkle & Shine!

 

National Historic Marker Day: Help Music History Sparkle & Shine!

In 2021, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation (WGPF) established the last Friday in April as National Historic Marker Day. This year’s event is on April 26, 2024. The organization encourages Americans to clean historic markers by offering them free downloadable resources, a video tutorial and cleaning supply kit. It’s free and easy to participate!

Learn more and register to volunteer at www.wgpfoundation.org/national-historic-marker-day.

The holiday stimulates civic engagement as well as the recognition of local history and its beautification. The U.S. is estimated to have more than 190,000 historic markers, but many need TLC from years of neglect. For markers that already have some sparkle and shine, cleaning is more symbolic, but regular maintenance is still necessary.

Participation can be an individual or group activity. One organization that’s joined the call to action is the newly established American Music Landmarks Project (AMLP). Founded by my twin sister Sheryl, the AMLP began supporting National Historic Marker Day in 2022 by offering a free service to connect participants with music markers in their local areas.

Learn more and find a music marker near you at www.musiclandmarks.org/markerday.

Sheryl hopes that this nationwide community service event will continue to bring music history enthusiasts and music landmarks together to create greater public interest and involvement. The AMLP is uniquely positioned as the first and only organization solely dedicated to music landmarks in the country.

What is a music landmark? According to the AMLP, some examples include “artist homes, recording studios and performance venues that range from largely unknown and endangered properties to successfully preserved and operating heritage sites.”

In addition to services, research, education and advocacy, Sheryl has been developing the first national inventory of music landmarks. As a scholar-practitioner, she wears many hats and works in the trenches directly with music landmarks and their operators. In September 2021, Sheryl celebrated the dedications of two historic markers that she was responsible for bringing to fruition. They were both produced at Sewah Studios in Marietta, Ohio.

Read “A Tale of Two Markers for Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers landmarks” at www.musiclandmarks.org/post/from-our-founder-a-tale-of-two-markers-for-elvis-presley-and-the-everly-brothers-landmarks.

Perhaps this article is your introduction to National Historic Marker Day. Perhaps it’s your reminder. Whether or not you’re able to participate this year, I hope you feel inspired to mark it on your annual April calendar. Beyond the holiday, be sure to check out the AMLP as a trusted guide on your journey with music landmarks as you hit the road to explore the special places that created our nation’s soundtrack.