Page 19 - Newsletter_Winter_2021

Bronze Plaques will offer Historical

Glimpse of Houlton Buildings

By Joseph Cyr ‘89
Asst. Editor and Senior Reporter of the County Newspapers
HOULTON, Maine -- Some of Houlton’s more historic buildings
will soon be adorned with bronze plaques, paying homage to the
building’s heritage, while also moving into the 21st century.

About 21 plaques are expected to be installed on Houlton’s more
notable buildings starting Tuesday, Aug. 10,

Many of the buildings featured
are listed on the National

Registry of Historic Places.

The large bronze plaques feature the name of the building, its
architect, and a “QR Code” that can be scanned by a smartphone,
sending the user to a website that will play a short video history of
the building.

Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, explained the idea for bringing Houlton’s
history into the digital era was a collaboration between herself and Henry Gartley of the Aroostook County Historical and Art
Museum.

“We have always had an option for visitors to take a walking tour of Houlton,” Torres explained. “We would give them two
sheets of paper with a map and off they would go looking for the buildings and read about it.”

Torres said as technology has improved, visitors were less interested in reading a paper map with descriptions, and instead
would ask if there was an electronic version of the map. Thus was born the idea of combining Houlton’s past with the
technology of today.

Thanks to funding from the Putnam Charitable Trust, 21 plaques at a cost of
$375 each, were purchased. Many of the buildings featured are listed on the
National Registry of Historic Places. Additional plaques may be ordered in the
future if the project proves to be popular. Dear Houlton High
School Alumni
Gartley, through his volunteering at the museum, had already started compiling Association,
videos on Houlton’s historic buildings and was eager to collaborate on the
project. Jason Howe and Richard Rhoda were also instrumental in compiling Thank you! I
historical data on the buildings. appreciate all your
support. I will be
“I’m hoping it will be engaging for people to both walk around our beautiful attending the University
town while learning some history,” Gartley said. “We are very thankful to the of Maine in the fall and
Putnam Trust for funding it.” majoring in Computer
Science.

Gabriel Fitzpatrick ‘ 21

www.houltonalumni.com PAGE 19