Gift Shop + House Plaques
Historic House Plaques
A mark of distinction for every Shaker Heights home.
The Shaker Historical Society is proud to offer a 7” x 5” cast bronze plaque (includes brass screws for mounting) with the date your home was built and the architect for $275, which includes a $50 tax-deductible donation to SHS. Celebrate your home's history and support the Shaker Historical Society by purchasing a plaque today!
To confirm the construction date and name of the architect of your home, please contact the Shaker Heights Building Department (216-491-1460) or consult shakerbuildings.com.
If you are interested in purchasing a plaque, please download and complete the appropriate plaque order form below and send it to shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org. Please note that there is a $10 credit card processing fee.
Once your form is submitted to the foundry, we will send a proof to you via email that must be approved before the foundry can cast the plaque.
Your plaque purchase includes a tax-deductible donation to the Shaker Historical Society. By purchasing a plaque for your house, you are not only sharing local history but supporting it as well!
Plaque FAQs
Who makes the plaques?
We have a long standing relationship with Erie Landmark Company, a division of Paul W. Zimmerman Foundries, which is one of the few continually operating, family owned and run foundries in Pennsylvania.
I'm unsure of the year my house was built and/or the architect. How do I find information about my house?
Basic information, such as year and architect, may be found in the Shaker Heights Building Card Database. If you need further assistance with finding information for plaque purposes, please contact shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org. For broader or more in-depth house research, please contact the Shaker Heights Public Library's Local History department. They hold many City records and blueprints and share an excellent guide to researching your Shaker home.
Although the Shaker Historical Society does not have many housing records, we are happy to search our archives for material related to your house. Please submit a request through our Research Request form.
How long will it take to get my plaque?
Due to ongoing supply chain issues, the current estimate is 6-8 weeks. This can vary depending on the foundry's ability to secure necessary supplies.
I need my plaque sooner. Can you speed up the process?
Once we send your information to Erie Landmark Company, the plaque creation process is out of our hands. They are unable to send us status updates on plaques due to the volume of projects at the foundry.
Can I change the shipping address once I submit my form?
If you need to update the shipping address, please let us know as soon as possible so we can contact the foundry. A change in address request can usually be accommodated.
I will be on vacation when my plaque is scheduled to arrive. Can I have it shipped to the museum and pick it up?
Possibly! Please contact us at shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org to see if our schedules align. We wouldn't want the plaque to arrive during a museum closure or major event.
Why are the plaques so expensive?
The historic house plaque program serves to both mark homes of distinction in Shaker Heights and support the museum's mission, including programming, exhibits, and collections care. The $275 plaque fee includes the cost of goods and a tax-deductible donation to the Shaker Historical Society.
Spirit Tree Gift Shop
The Shaker Historical Society operates a small gift shop with a variety of gifts related to the museum, Shakers, and local history. Members of the Shaker Historical Society and Ohio History Connection receive a 10% discount in the Spirit Tree gift shop. Members can email director@shakerhistory.org for an online discount code to use while shopping online!
As we work on new merchandise to accompany our rebranding, the current inventory is being sold for $1-$5 each with many items available for free! The gift shop is open during the museum's normal operating hours. There is a $5 minimum for credit or debit card payments.
2023 Shaker Historical Society Calendar
Back by popular demand, our annual calendar features historical facts and stunning photographs of Onaway School, Lower Lake, Shaker Heights Country Club, and more by local photographer Shelly Frisch Small. This is the perfect gift for Shaker Heights residents and natives near and far who want to celebrate and remember the City's beauty in all the seasons.
The 2023 calendar can be purchased in our gift shop during normal operating hours or online. Proceeds benefit the Shaker Historical Society.
**At this time, the 2023 calendar is the only gift shop item we are able to ship. Adding other items to your cart with void shipping. Contact shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org to inquire about getting additional items shipped before placing your order. Depending on size/weight of the additional item(s), shipping may be cost prohibitive.