Old Home Signs
Suffield celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2020. The Suffield Historical Society, in preparation for that event, would like to see more of the town's older homes bearing signs with builder or owner and date. Below are recommendations for signs so that they will all conform as to size, format and lettering. We can help you date your house.
Signs recommended on all homes built before 1870. House shows up on 1869 Hartford County Atlas page for Suffield.
Examples of signs
Specifications
Size
26x11.5 inches, standard 1x12 board.
Background color
White
Lettering color
Black
Printing
3 inches in height, if name will fit on sign (Name & Date), Block Lettering (Arial Black), all Caps, other lettering 2 inches.
Sign position on House
A good location is about 5 feet from ground level on the right hand side of the home near right end in plain sight, but most important should be readable from road.
Information on the Sign
First Line: Who built it or had it built. Example: “BUILT BY” or “BUILT FOR”
Second line: Name of person. Example: “BENJAMIN ADAMS”
Third Line: Date. Example: “1767”
Recommended vendors
Sign painter
Heidi Crane, ShabbyAbbysAttic-Sign Shop, 11 High St / Suite 111, Suffield, shabbyabbysattic@gmail.com, 860-668-4683
Sign makers
Bob Winter, 1038 Hill Street, Suffield, CT 06078, 860-668-5668
Sam Wolcott, Porcupine Sign & Design, 50 Market St, Northampton, MA 01060, nohosign@cox.net, 413-584-4501