Friday, August 31, 2007

Historical Marker Database

This is right up History Geek alley! It's happened to all of us. You're driving down the road and there it is. The Historical Marker. But the whole family's in the car. They'll complain. Or, you're really running late for that appointment. So, you have zip past it and wonder what the heck it said. We all have our radar set for those history beacons (sirens perhaps?, na) but how many do we ever get to read?

Now you can. Check out the Historical Marker Database at http://www.hmdb.org/

There's over 50 categories of markers and state by state listings as well. Countries too. You can add your own marker listings and order free business cards to hand out while you are photographing your favorite marker. These folks have thought of everything! Was this site made for History Geeks or what? And, if you are looking for a new history hobby, why not start collecting Historical Markers?

I'm not saying you should abscond with them and hang them in your living room. You just take some photos, record the location and write an abstract about that particular history happening. Then add it to the site. My home state of New Jersey has a pretty thin listing so I need to get busy!

With the long weekend coming up, History Geeks all over the country will take to the road. If you miss that marker, remember the location and maybe you'll find it on http://www.hmdb.org/, or maybe you'll come home with a little marker collection of your own. Help a brother geek out and post it!

Stay safe out there.

Pete

1 comments:

Gary Dombrowski said...

Pete, We have markers here through Erie, PA which I really doubt that aside from tourists people really stop and read.~Gary