The Museum of Art & History authorizes the plaques which are paid for by the owner. The Historic Landmark Committee, comprised of museum staff and knowledgeable community volunteers, awards plaques quarterly. For each proposed plaque, a written nomination form (see below) must be submitted with documentation for review and approval by the committee. Historic Landmark designation by MAH is purely honorary and has no legal implications.

Criteria for MAH Historic Landmark Blue Plaques are:

• Structure is located within Santa Cruz County.
• Structure is at least 50 years old.
• Structure is deemed to be of historic and/or architectural significance, i.e., is associated with a person, organization, business, or social/cultural event of local, state, or national significance, and/or represents an architectural style or type that is either typical or unusual in Santa Cruz County.
• Structure reflects overall architectural integrity (not necessarily unaltered, but any significant changes should reflect either historic additions or sensitivity to the original style).
• Structure is in reasonably good physical condition. (It need not be meticulously restored, but should be well maintained and reflect pride of ownership).
• Adequate documentation has been provided.

And in addition:

• Owner of the property consents to the Historic Landmark award.
• Owner agrees to display the plaque in a location that can be seen by the public, either outdoors or in a publicly accessible indoor space.

How to Apply?

If you are interested in obtaining a blue landmark plaque, please provide us with information about your building, as follows:

• Using the Historic Landmark Nomination Form (pdf), document the historical and/or architectural significance of your building. Local libraries (including the Museum of Art & History Library, public libraries, and the UCSC Library) and the County Recorder’s Office can help you document your building. Also available is Every Structure Tells a Story, a helpful tool available at the Museum Store. With your completed form, please attach documentation and photographs of the building.
• Submit your completed nomination form to MAH, attn Marla Novo, with copies of all documentation, and include a photograph of your structure. The Historic Landmark Committee will review your application.
• You will be notified of the committee’s action. If your nomination form and proposed plaque wording have been approved, we will send you a Letter of Authorization, which will enable us to order the plaque. The cost of the plaque is $200.00.

For further information, contact Marla Novo, at (831) 429-1964 ext. 7019 or email marla@santacruzmah.org.

1. The Dolkas Award is a competitive research grant awarded annually for original projects that promote the understanding of the history of the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Area both in the area of intellectual research (publishing: writing/photographic, video, voice) and material structure (objects/buildings).
2. The Distinguished Historian award is an honor bestowed on a person annually who has made unique contributions to Santa Cruz County history. This award is open to historians, educators, archivists, and enthusiasts who are passionate about local history.

Dolkas Award Grant Criteria and Application Process

The Dolkas Award was established in honor of James Dolkas, the founder and original president of the History Forum. Members of the History Forum and the Sesnon Foundation set up the James Dolkas Memorial Fund through the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County and offer the grant annually to a worthy project that will advance community awareness about regional history.

Each proposal should meet and address one or more of the following criteria:

• What is the direct and enduring benefit to the Santa Cruz /Monterey Bay community?
• How is the proposal a local community partnership of people and resources?
• Does this project have any new audiences or participants, technologies, or ideas?

To apply, please complete the 2012 Grant Application. Applicants may attach additional pages as needed; the narrative should not exceed five hundred words. Applications are due by October 1, 2012. The application includes grant guidelines for preparing application budget, narrative, and outcome descriptions.

One award of $1,200 will be given each year, with half given in November of 2012 and half given at the completion of the project. Awards are presented each year at the History Forum Annual Dinner in November. Applicants must be able to attend the dinner to receive the award. The 2012 Dinner is scheduled for November 14, 2012.

Distinguished Historian Criteria and Nomination Process

The Distinguished Historian award is an honorary title bestowed annually on a person who has done extraordinary work to advance local history.

To nominate someone to be considered for this award, please complete this nomination form. You may nominate yourself. Only one nomination is required per applicant. Nominations are due by October 1, 2012.

This award is honorary only. Awards are presented each year at the History Forum Annual Dinner in November. Nominees must be able to attend the dinner to receive the award. The 2012 Dinner is scheduled for November 16, 2012.

Past Dolkas Award Awardees

2011

• Alverda Orlando for documentary work on North Coast farmers
• Nicholas Barron for research on systematic bias in federal recognition of Native American groups in the Monterey Bay region

2010

• Maureen Davidson for her research on the history of murals throughout Santa Cruz County

2009

• Barry Brown for his work on the California Powder Works, Santa Cruz County, 1861-1914

2008

• Lucia MacLean for her project to preserve and distribute the history of the Alba School and Recreation District in Ben Lomond
• George Fogelson for his continued study of the History of Jews of Santa Cruz County with new research on the Alexander Family of Watsonville

2007

• Philip Reader for History of African Americans in Santa Cruz County
• Alverda Orlando for Davenport History Website

2006

• Melissa Stevens for An Oral History of Monterey Bay Fishermen, Part I

2005

• Dr. Julianne Burton-Carvajal for a guide to Monterey Bay Adobes
• Robert Edwards and Charr Simpson Smith for archeological work at the Redman-Hiraharra House, Watsonville

2004

• George J. Fogelson for The History of the Jews in Santa Cruz County, 1855-present

2003

• Barry Brown for California Powder Works, 1864-1914

2002

• Colleen Mclnerney-Meagher for The Story of Pogonip