The National Blue Plaques Scheme
You can be a part of bringing history to life across communities in England.
You can be a part of bringing history to life across communities in England.
For over 150 years, blue plaques have been attached to grand buildings and humble homes. They’ve inspired and intrigued passers-by, and they’ve been a unique record of local history. Now you can help us to extend the original blue plaque scheme outside of London across England. Every community has a unique story to tell and over the next 2 years, we want to commemorate up to 20 individuals who have made significant and positive contributions to human welfare and happiness
To celebrate more inspiring individuals, we need your help. Please donate to help fund the research, design, production and installation of blue plaques across England.
The bespoke ceramic plaques are made by hand with a striking cobalt hue. Harder than steel, unaffected by solvents and acids, frost-proof, rot-proof, flame-proof, each blue plaque is able to last centuries without maintenance. They create a visually striking and memorable image that captures the public's attention as a popular way of commemorating important contributions to society for many generations to come.
Daphne Steele made history by becoming the first black matron in the NHS in 1964. It was only right that our first blue plaque was dedicated to her in February 2024. You can read more about Daphne's ground-breaking career and plaque unveiling here.
Since the instillation of the inaugural plaque, five more plaques have been unveiled. You can read more about each of them on the Historic England website.
Our National Blue Plaques Programme is supported by Delancey and The Earls Court Development Company.
We have also partnered with Ancestry. Find out more that partnership here.
Watch this video of one of the recent Blue Plaque unveilings, honouring Jack Leslie, a talented footballer and Plymouth Argyle FC hero.