Historic Marker Program

In 2001, the City of Winston-Salem established a historic marker program. Forsyth County followed with a marker program in 2015. The markers commemorate a wide variety of properties, ranging from National Register Historic Districts like West Salem to sites of local historical significance such as The Pond and Odd Fellows Cemetery. Applications for historic markers are due each year by October 31. Applications may be submitted by email to preservation@cityofws.org or by delivery to Historic Resources Commission staff.

The Historic Marker Committee is a standing committee of the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission that administers the historic marker program for the City of Winston-Salem, the unincorporated portions of Forsyth County, and other municipalities when requested. The Committee meets annually on the third Thursday of November to hear applicant presentations and evaluate the applications. You can access the Committee agendas and minutes in the Agenda Center. The Committee recommends two sites in the City of Winston-Salem and one site in unincorporated Forsyth County to the Historic Resources Commission for marker awards.

Sites receiving markers are chosen by the Historic Resources Commission based on Committee recommendations in December. Marker unveilings are scheduled in coordination with the applicant. The historic marker program has gained significant popularity, drawing attention to important local sites that may not have received recognition otherwise.

 Members of the Historic Marker Committee are appointed by the Chair of the Historic Resources Commission. The Historic Marker Committee includes four members from the Commission, three members from the community, and two ex officio members from the African American Heritage Initiative Committee and Human Relations Commission. Current members are:

Program Forms

• Contact staff at preservation@cityofws.org or 336-747-7040 to request an application form.
• Historic Marker Program Policies (PDF) - Updated November 16, 2022
• Historic Marker Program Evaluation Sheet (PDF) - Updated November 16, 2022
• Historic Marker Committee Rules of Procedure (PDF) - Updated February 3, 2023

Approved Historic Markers - 2002 to Present

View an Interactive Map of Placed Historic Markers.