Click on the photo for gallery.

Download Plaque Program Application

Rowayton has a long and rich history, and its houses are an integral part of that story. The purpose of the historical society’s plaqued house program is to call attention to the historic character of Rowayton and give recognition to early buildings and to the people who built or resided in them. Rowayton is important not only as an early shoreline settlement including farms, shipbuilding, and small industries, but also as a popular summer resort town. The local architecture reflects all of these distinct periods in Rowayton’s heritage.

Over 100 houses in Rowayton have been “Plaqued” or documented as having been built 100 years ago. In addition, there have been a number of plaques presented for “non-houses” such as boat houses, old stores and barns.

To qualify for a plaque, a building must be documented as being built 100 years from the present and visually recognizable as an historic building. In the first phase of the process a professional researcher will look into deeds and other primary source information and if necessary an architectural review is performed by a professional architectural historian.

Once the date of construction and name(s) of the original owners has been determined, a hardwood plaque with the name of your house and the official seal of the RHS will be ordered and delivered to your house. Along with the plaque, the homeowner can expect to receive a history of the building, a deed report, and an architectural report if a review was performed.

From beginning to end the process takes approximately three months.

If you think your house may qualify and you would like more information, please call us at 203-831-0136 or email us at info@rowaytonhistoricalsociety.org.