Recognizing the Diverse Landscape of Folklore with Fully-Funded Roadside Markers
At the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, we welcome American Folklore Society members and your broader networks to learn more about celebrating the diverse landscape of folk and traditional arts in the U.S. through our Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program. Legends & Lore helps communities commemorate their local folklore and legends, and promote cultural tourism with roadside markers. As the program expands nationally, we are seeking folklore organizations, folklore-related academic departments, and state supported councils or agencies to review grant applications and make recommendations. Learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation and our state partnerships today.
Welcome to our AFS exhibitor page!
This is where you will find everything you need to know about the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s Legends & Lore grant program, our state partnership opportunities and how to apply for a marker.
We firmly believe that markers preserve history and cultural heritage, educate the public, encourage pride of place, promote tourism and generate economic benefits. Markers generate buzz and have attracted local, regional and national news coverage.
Legends & Lore is among our signature programs. Legends & Lore helps communities commemorate their local folklore and legends, and promote cultural tourism with roadside markers. Currently the grant program is offered in 14 states and counting, thanks to our dedicated state partners. As we expand this program nationally, we seek folklore organizations, folklore-related academic departments, and state supported councils or agencies to review grant applications and make recommendations. Learn more on our Legends & Lore partnerships webpage.
More about Legends & Lore Markers
From folk heroes and songs to cultural phenomena and stories told for generations, Legends & Lore markers have commemorated a wide range of subjects across our partner states. Among them are the story of Polly the parrot in Missouri, the legend of Betsy Dowdy’s ride in North Carolina, and local lore about Louisiana’s White Lightning. More than 160 Legends & Lore marker grants have been awarded since the program’s launch in 2015. Whether you’re a folklorist or nonprofit professional, consider how the cultural traditions in the communities you serve might gain further recognition through the public spotlight generated by a roadside marker.
More about the Pomeroy Foundation
Established by Trustee Bill Pomeroy in 2005 to bring together his two greatest passions, the Pomeroy Foundation is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. As the nation’s leading funder of roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 2,100 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 48 states and Washington, D.C.
