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Honor Historic Properties

Interpretive signs across Montana recognize and celebrate historic properties listed in the #National Register of Historic Places and #Montana’s Centennial Farm and Ranch programs. Learn how to nominate properties, order signs, and explore listings.

#CENTENNIAL FARMS AND RANCHES

Since 2009, the Montana Historical Society’s Centennial Farm and Ranch program has recognized our state’s agricultural traditions by celebrating the perseverance and stewardship of Montana families on their farms and ranches. By honoring families that have owned their land for 100 years or more, we help preserve Montana’s strong agricultural roots and the stories and traditions that define our rural communities.

• Learn more about the Centennial Farms and Ranches Program
• View our list of Centennial farms and ranches.

#NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Registered properties are afforded a measure of protection from projects that are funded, licensed, or executed by the federal government; and may also be eligible for historic preservation tax incentives. 

Nominating a property to the National Register of Historic Places is an involved process that can take several months. Anyone can nominate a property, but we highly recommend hiring a preservation research consultant to help you document the property and prepare the nomination form. 

• Learn how to nominate a property (#below)
• Learn more about the National Register (nps.gov).
• Learn how to order an intepretive sign
• Find NR properties in Montana 

To be eligible for the National Register, a building must:

• Be at least 50 years old,.
• Retain its architectural integrity.
• Be “significant”. This can be national, state-wide or even local, but must fall within at least one of the following categories:
• association with important events,
• association with significant persons,
• architectural significance, or
• archaeological significance

Research Your Building

There are many reasons people may want to research a building. We can provide guidance on how to research and document your history properly.

• Check out our NR Map Hub or contact our office 
• Find out information on historic Architects and Builders in Montana
• Research Title Abstracts at your County Recorder’s Office to determine historic owners
• Tax Files at your County Assessor’s Office can provide construction dates and other information
• Sanborn Maps can provide useful construction dates from the late 1880s to as late as 1969
• Building Permit Registers can be researched through the Montana Historical Society Research Center
• Digitized Newspapers are a great source of historical information
• Historic Contexts are available for several historic and prehistoric themes in Montana (MPDs)
• Our How To Research Guide steps you through this process and provides resources and tips

Prepare Your Nomination

Nominating a property to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is an involved process that can take several months and we highly recommend hiring a preservation research consultant to help you. However, if you are a good researcher and writer and know basic architecture terminology, you can use the following information to guide you in preparing a nomination form.

• Guide to Preparing National Register Nominations
• NRHP Bulletin 16A
• NRHP Nomination Form
• NRHP Procedures Checklist
• Work closely with our NRHP staff to review your progress
• Coordinate with local your historic preservation commission if there is one in your area

Nominations are submitted to our office and then are reviewed by the Montana Historic Preservation Review Board. If approved by the Board, nominations are then forwarded to Keeper of the National Register at the National Park Service for the final and deciding review. This review takes approximately 45 days.

Document Your Building

Take your research to the next level and complete a site form for your historic property.

• Historic site forms are prepared for individual properties and provide a history and description
• Survey Guidelines explain how to research and document the property and how to complete the form
• Refer to Historic Sites Database Codes and Glossary when preparing forms

Please contact jboughton@mt.gov with with any questions.

#PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD

• Upcoming meetings
• past minutes
• current board members