Welcome to Montana SHPO
QUICK LINKS
Explore the National Register page to find:
- Nominations Under Review
- Recent Listings and Awards
- Listed Property Finding Aids
- Property Research Resources
Historic private residential or commercial building preservation funding opportunities are limited, and SHPO does not administer any grant programs for these types of properties. We recommend exploring the Preservation Funding tab at the bottom of this page.
Commercial properties eligible for or listed in the National Register may qualify for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit.
Communities certified through the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, may have access to funds for local preservation projects. For more information about the Certified Local Government program or to pursue certification for your community, please visit the National Park Service CLG homepage.
Explore the Historic Architecture page for resources or contact the Montana SHPO Historic Architecture Specialist to learn more about:
- Standards for Historic Building Rehabilitation
- Economics of adapting a historic building for reuse
- Treatment of historic building materials
- Use of historically appropriate modern materials
- Rehabilitation of historic interior finishes
- Nominating a building for the National Register
- Preservation tax incentives and covenants
Finding a professional experienced in historic preservation and who meets requirements for federal programs can be challenging. SHPO maintains the following lists to help you search for quality and qualified architects, engineers, and trades people in Montana and the surrounding area.
We recommend you make inquiries regarding professional qualifications and check references as appropriate.
Architects and Trades People (PDF)
Cultural Resource Consulting Services: History and Archaeology (PDF)
NOTE: Individuals and firms included on the following lists enrolled via a public form provided by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Inclusion on this list does not represent a certification, endorsement, recommendation, or assumption of responsibility for the work of any consultant. There is no guarantee implicit or implied that any work product produced by those on this list will meet federal or state requirements.
If you think you have found human remains, a burial site, or funerary objects you are required by law to contact the local coroner and/or the State Archaeologist (444-7719). Learn more about unmarked human remains and buried / marked remains or cemeteries
If you find an artifact or fossil . . .
DO leave the artifact in place. Remember, this artifact has likely been in this place for years…sometimes thousands of years. Under no circumstances does it need you to remove it from its location, even if you are taking it to the proper authorities. Taking human remains or artifact associated with a human burial is disrespectful to the people who left it behind or their descendants and may be illegal.
DO contact the landowner to report your findings. Except for human remains and burial objects, artifacts belong to the landowner. Not all artifacts need to be reported, but if you find something on land you do not own that you want to make sure archaeologist know about, contact the landowner before doing anything else.
DO report human remains, unmarked burial sites, and burial objects. Artifacts left with a human burial or human remains cannot be “owned,” are not property abandoned, and therefore are not owned by the land owner.
DO document your finding location and take photos when reporting the discovery.
DO NOT share the location of your discovery on social media.
Jessica Bush
State Archaeologist
Phone: (406) 444-0388
Email: jbush2@mt.gov
Volunteer! Help in the SHPO office, work on a restoration project, or participate in an archaeological “dig.” Reach out to mtshpo@mt.gov to express your interest.
Donate! Select “State Historic Preservation Office” when you renew your MTHS membership or make a donation.
If you have an antique that you'd like to donate or learn how to preserve, visit this page or contact the Montana Museum Curatorial Office.
Programs & Services
The Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) administers eight programs to fulfill duties required by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Montana State Antiquities Act, such as maintaining a statewide survey to identify and document historic buildings and archaeological sites, evaluating sites for eligibility and facilitating their nomination and listing in the National Register of Historic Places, assisting local governments in developing historic preservation programs, administering federal tax incentives for historic building rehabilitation, assisting federal and state agencies in their responsibilities to identify and protect cultural resources, providing preservation education, training and technical assistance, and preparing and implementing a statewide Historic Preservation Plan.
Projects & Products
Explore projects and products we’ve developed to inform and celebrate Montana’s diverse cultural resources and heritage. Through core programs, initiatives, and special projects we work to align our efforts with national priorities and statewide goals that consider sustainability, diversity/ equity/ inclusion, affordable housing, and preservation workforce cultivation in Montana.
Preservation Help
Phone: (406) 444-7715
Email: mtshpo@mt.gov
Mailing Address:
225 N Roberts Ave
PO Box 201201
Helena, MT 59620-1201
Temporary Physical Address:
910 Helena Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
To reach current Montana Preservation Review Board Members, email mtshpo@mt.gov to request contact information.
Dr. DELIA HAGEN
Architectural History | Missoula, MT
Term: 10/1/2020 - 10/1/2024
MARVIN KELLER (Chair)
History Professional | Billings, MT
Term: 10/1/2018 - 10/1/2022
NICK KUJAWA
Interested Public | Missoula, MT
Term: 5/1/2020 10/1/2023
CHRIS AVERILL
History Professional | East Helena, MT
Terms: 9/5/2022-10/1/2026
JEFFREY SHELDEN
Historic Architect | Lewistown, MT
Terms: 10/14/2016 - 10/1/2020, 10/1/2020 10/1/2024
MARCELLA WALTER
Architectural Historian | Helena, MT
Terms: 10/14/2016 - 10/1/2020, 10/1/2020 - 10/1/2024
KELLYANNE TERRY
Interested Public | Lewistown, MT
Term: 05/1/2020 - 10/1/2023
FRANK LALIBERTY
Interested Public | Cascade, MT
Terms: 1/1/2021 - 9/30/2025
PATTI CASNE
Interested Public | Helena, MT
Term: 2/12/2016 - 5/1/2020, 10/1/2019 - 10/1/2023
For additional board, councils, and Commissions information, see: http://svc.mt.gov/gov/boards/
Montana’s Certified Local Governments
|
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Gayla Hess Billings–Laurel-Yellowstone County-Crow Reservation Preservation Programming: Kevin Kooistra Bozeman Sarah Rosenberg Butte - Silver Bow County Kate McCourt Carbon County Becky Van Horn Columbus – Stillwater County Penny Redli Deer Lodge Jacque Lavelle Great Falls – Cascade County Samantha Long |
Hardin – Big Horn County Mary Slattery Historic Preservation Officer Havre – Hill County Becki Miller Lewis and Clark County Pamela J. Attardo Heritage Preservation Officer Lewistown Doug Osterman Livingston Jennifer Severson Miles City Mary Rowe Missoula Elizabeth Johnson Virginia City Eric Barsness |
ASSINIBOINE & SIOUX TRIBES CULTURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE
Dyan Youpee, THPO
PO Box 1027
Fort Peck Agency
Poplar, MT 59255
Phone: (406) 768-2382
d.youpee@fortpecktribes.net
www.fortpecktribes.org/crd/
BLACKFEET NATION TRIBE
John Murray, THPO
PO Box 850
Browning, MT 59417
Phone: (406) 338-7522
jmflysdown@gmail.com
FORT BELKNAP INDIAN COMMUNITY
Michael J. Black Wolf, THPO
656 Agency Main Street
Harlem MT 59526
Phone: (406) 353-2295
mblackwolf@ftbelknap.org
THE CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS
Aaron B. Brien, THPO
PO Box 159
Crow Agency, MT 59022
Cell: (406)-679-2511
Phone: (406)839-3817
aaron.brien@crow-nsn.gov
NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE
Teanna Limpy, THPO
PO Box 128- N. Cheyenne Agency
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Phone: (406) 477-4839
Andrew J. Richard
Northern Cheyenne Tribal Archaeologist
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Cell: 406-548-4841 andrew.richard@cheyennenation.com
CHIPPEWA CREE CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT
Jonathan Windy Boy, THPO
9740 Upper Box Elder Rd.
Box Elder, MT 59521
Phone: (406) 395-4700
Jonathan.windyboy@nei-yahw.com
Chippewa Cree Cultural Resources Preservation Department
CONFEDERATED SALISH & KOOTENAI TRIBES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT
Kathryn McDonald, THPO
PO Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
406-675-2700 x1077
Kathryn.McDonald@cskt.org
LITTLE SHELL CULTURE COMMITTEE
Gerald Grey
625 Central Ave West Suite 100
Great Falls MT 59404
Phone: 406-315-2400
ggray@gng.net
Department of Commerce
Tash Wisemiller
Montana Main Street Coordinator
Community Development Division
Montana Department of Commerce
301 S. Park Avenue; P.O. Box 200523
Helena, MT 59620-0523
(406) 841-2756 Phone
Fax: (406) 841-2771 Fax
twisemiller@mt.gov
Montana Heritage Commission
101 Reeder's Alley
Helena MT 59601
(406) 449-7081
or
P.O. Box 338
Virginia City, MT 59755
(406) 843-5247
montanaheritagecommission.mt.gov/
Department of Environmental Quality
James D. Strait
Tribal and Cultural Resources Officer
MFSA /UAV operations
Directors Office
1520 E. 6th Ave
PO Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
jstrait@mt.gov
(406)444-6765 Office (406)475-5902 Cell
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Patrick Rennie
DNRC Trust Lands Archaeologist
1625 11th Ave
Helena, MT 59620
prennie@mt.gov
(406) 444-2882
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Heritage Program
Fish Wildlife and Parks
Rachel Reckin, Heritage Specialist for Western Montana
PO Box 200701
Helena MT 59620-0701
(406) 444-3756 |Rachel.Reckin@mt.gov
Brenna Moloney, Heritage Specialist for Eastern Montana
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings MT 59105
(406) 594-4322 | Brenna.Moloney@mt.gov
Montana Department of Transportation
2701 Prospect Ave
PO Box 202001
Helena, MT 59620-1001
Historian, Jon Axline
jaxline@mt.gov
(406) 444-6358
Archaeologist, Ryan Wendel
rwendel@mt.gov
(406) 444-0455
National Park ServiceYellowstone National Park US Fish and Wildlife ServiceZone Archaeologist, MT/UT/WY Natural Resource Conservation ServiceArchaeologist, Cultural Resource Specialist Bureau of Indian AffairsBIA Archaeologist Bureau of ReclamationBOR Montana Area Office Archaeologist PO Box 30137
|
Bureau of Land Management5001 Southgate Drive Butte Field Office Archaeologist Missoula Field Office Archaeologist Miles City Field Office Archaeologist North Central Montana District Archaeologist Dillon Field Office Archaeologist BLM Office of Law Enforcement |
Forest ServiceJorie Clark Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest South Zone Archaeologist North Zone Archaeologist Bitterroot National Forest Custer-Gallatin National Forest Mark Bodily Kootenai National Forest Lolo National Forest |
While the SHPO does not administer a grant program for the preservation of residential or commercial buildings, we recommend investigating the following funding sources:
Brian Wishneff & AssociatesCityscape Capital Group, LLC
Clocktower Tax Credits
Community Reinvestment Fund
http://www.grants.gov/
HUD Community Development Block Grant
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Montana Dept. of Commerce TIIP Grant
Montana Dept. of Transportation CTEP Grant
Montana Economic Developers Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation
USDA Rural Development
US Forest Service Rural Community Assistance Grant
Montana Preservation Alliance
www.preservemontana.org
Billings Preservation Society
www.mossmansion.com
Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization
www.buttecpr.org
Conrad Mansion
www.conradmansion.com
Daly Mansion Preservation Trust
www.dalymansion.org
Humanities Montana
www.humanitiesmontana.org
Montana Archaeological Society
www.mtarchaeologicalsociety.org/
Montana History Foundation
www.montanahistoryfoundation.org
Museums Association of Montana
www.montanamuseums.org
Preservation Cascade, Inc.
www.montanas-archbridge.org
Preserve Historic Missoula
www.preservehistoricmissoula.org
Western Heritage Center
www.ywhc.org
Finding a professional experienced in historic preservation and who meets requirements for federal programs can be challenging. SHPO maintains the following lists to help you search for quality and qualified architects, engineers, and trades people in Montana and the surrounding area.
We recommend you make inquiries regarding professional qualifications and check references as appropriate.
Architects and Trades People (PDF)
Cultural Resource Consulting Services: History and Archaeology (PDF)
NOTE: Individuals and firms included on the following lists enrolled via a public form provided by the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Inclusion on this list does not represent a certification, endorsement, recommendation, or assumption of responsibility for the work of any consultant. There is no guarantee implicit or implied that any work product produced by those on this list will meet federal or state requirements.
Learn More About Historic Preservation and Archaeology in Montana
Montana Post-World War II (1945-1965) Architectural Survey and Inventory (PDF)
In celebration of our twentieth-century architectural legacy, this project identified, documented, and evaluated selected properties from Montana's post-war period, focusing on selected property and building types that represent Montana's built environment from the post-Word War II era. >> Read Now
Daphne Bugbee-Jones: Montana Modernist (YouTube)
This documentary on modernist architect, Daphne Bugbee Jones was created by Pete Brown of the Montana State Historic Preservation Office. It features University of Montana art history professor, Rafael Chacon, Ph.D., and the photography of Terry W. Greene. The video includes Bugbee Jones’s biography, her civic achievements, and describes her influences and design intent for her eight houses built in Missoula, Montana, between 1960 and 1981. It also describes the paradigm shift in design that occurred in the 20th century and flourished after World War II. High-quality photos that exhibit the homes’ interiors and exteriors are the first professional photographs of her work. >> Watch Now
A Curriculum for Montana Archaeology and Prehistory
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Created by Sara Scott, Archaeologist, Helena & Russ Ann Sisk, Teacher, Jim Darcy Elementary School, Helena, for use by the Montana Historical Society
Introduction and Acknowledgements
The Big Picture
The Pieces
Tips for Teachers and Archaeologists
Tips for Field Visits to Sites
Tips for Discoveries
Arch Journals, Narratives, Vocabulary, and Arch Activities
The Montana Archaeology Education Resource Catalog
Assessment and Evaluation
Cooperative Learning
Student Products
Product List for Independent Study
Assessment and Evaluation Form
Theme 1 - Ancient Teachings in Archaeology
SHPO's Historic Window Repair & Thermal Upgrade Handbook (PDF)
Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, is the definitive guide to maintaining the historic character of your building: Published by the National Park Service.
Barn Again, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Successful Farming Magazine collaborate on this website, which is a clearinghouse for information on making historic farm buildings function in the world of modern farming.
The Historic Bridge Foundation offers historical and technical information on bridges and has ideas to help you make the preservation of historic bridges happen.
The Montana Preservation Alliance, made up of architects, historians, and planners, this statewide non-profit works with local communities to save Montana's most endangered historic places.
The National Park Service offers information on how to preserve your building in a way that is sensitive to its historic nature.
The National Trust is probably the most influential preservation advocacy group in the country working on the state, local, and national levels to help in preserving many of the most treasured historic places in Montana.
The Old House Journal has been a source of information on obscure handtools, technical preservation issues, and inspiration for over 20 years.
Partners for Sacred Places is a non-sectarian clearinghouse for advancing the preservation of historic religious properties.
Traditional Building Magazine offers an extensive source list of architectural reproductions.
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