~ Boston has opened its first public nomination period for the city's Historic Markers Program, inviting residents and community groups to propose people, places and events for recognition across its neighborhoods.

Nominations are open through Jan. 29, 2027, at boston.gov/historic-markers. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese.

The city plans to select 25 stories for new markers in this round. Its longer-term goal is to commemorate up to 400 stories before Boston's 400th anniversary in 2030, according to the announcement. A panel of historians, historic site managers and civic leaders will review nominations and recommend selections. Unselected nominations will be documented for possible consideration in future rounds and may be included in a planned collection on the Bloomberg Connects platform.

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Mayor Michelle Wu said the program would help tell a more complete account of Boston's history, including stories that have been underrepresented or rarely commemorated. Kathy Kottaridis, director of the city's Office of Historic Preservation, said nominations do not require professional historical expertise and encouraged applicants to explain a story's significance.

The city launched the program in March as part of its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. With funding from the Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund, 21 local nonprofit organizations received community research grants. An initial set of 25 physical markers formed the core of Tour 250, which encourages residents and visitors to explore neighborhood histories.

Boston is also working with Embrace Boston and its Everyone250 initiative to recognize places connected to the city's diverse communities and histories of civil rights and social justice. Those markers can also be explored through Tour 250 on Bloomberg Connects.

The Office of Historic Preservation will hold four public information sessions: Nov. 17 at 5 p.m., Nov. 18 at noon, Dec. 7 at noon and Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. Registration and program details are available at boston.gov/historic-markers.

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