PRESERVE EDUCATE CONNECT
Records and Resources
Search information about historic properties, cultural sites, and place-based history
MONTANA’S CULTURAL RESOURCES DATABASE
Montana’s Cultural Resource Database is maintained by the State Historic Preservation Office and contains more than 100,000 records with information about known historic, archaeological, traditional cultural, paleontological sites, cultural resource inventories, gray literature, National Register eligibility, and projects subject to environmental review.
Anyone with an internet connection can access the public version of the database with information about the presence or absence of cultural sites and areas that have been surveyed. Individuals seeking more specific information about site location, features, and other attributes must order a File Search or Data Request. Because of the sensitive nature of cultural resources records, access to specific site records, inventory reports, and GIS data requires a signed Data Use Agreement between the requesting party and Montana SHPO. The database is a web application with no add-ons necessary to use or view the data.
> Cultural Resources Database (limited access)
> Contact Cultural Records Manager for further access
NATIONAL REGISTER, CENTENNIAL FARM & RANCH PROGRAM LISTINGS
A few sentences that says how many properties are listed in Montana, including individual properties, districts, etc. SHPO mains the NR Map Hub, O&E maintains historicmt.org site with sign text and the CFR list.
> Montana in the National Register Hub (Map)
> HistoricMt.org
> NPS NR Database & Research Page
THEMATIC, PLACE-BASED HISTORY RESOURCES
Multiple Property Documentation (MPDs)... what they are... Here’s access...
> list of MPDs and links?
COMMUNITY HISTORY PROJECTS
> African American Heritage
> Chinese American Heritage
PRESERVATION IN ACTION (blog)
Miscellaneous topic, including:
> Events, Outreach, Educational Materials
> Montana Preservation Project Profiles: tax credits, CLG, grant funded
> News about NR and Centennial Farm & Ranch listings
> Statewide Preservation Plan & Progress Reports
> Preservation People & Organizations: Directory
Projects & Products
Preservation Help
Phone: (406) 444-7715
Email: mtshpo@mt.gov
Mailing Address:
Montana SHPO, Suite 201
225 N Roberts Ave
PO Box 201201
Helena, MT 59620-1201
To reach current Montana Preservation Review Board Members, email mtshpo@mt.gov to request contact information.
Current Board Members
(updated 1/2025)
- CHRIS AVERILL- Historic Preservation, Public - East Helena - 9/2022 to 10/2027
- LAURA EVILSIZER - History Professional - Helena - 12/2024 to 12/2028
- PHILLIPE GONZALEZ - History Professional - Helena - 12/2024 to10/2028
- Dr. DELIA HAGEN - History Professional - Missoula - 10/2020 to10/2028
- MARVIN KELLER - Historic Preservation Professional - Billings - 10/2018 to 10/2026
- ROSE KRIEG - Historic Preservation, Public - Butte - 12/2024 to 10/2027
- KELLYANNE TERRY - Public - Lewistown - 5/2020 to 10/2027
- MARY HORSTMAN WILLIAMS - History Professional - Hamilton - 12/2024 to 10/2026
For additional board, councils, and Commissions information, see: http://svc.mt.gov/gov/boards/
Sixteen Montana CLG communities
Printable List of CLG Contacts (PDF)
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Gayla Hess, (406) 563-4012, ghess@adlc.us
Billings-Yellowstone County
David Green, (406) 247-8666, greend@billingsmt.gov
Bozeman
Sarah Rosenberg, (406) 582-2297, srosenberg@bozeman.net
Butte-Silver Bow County
Kate McCourt, 406) 497-6258, kmccourt@bsb.mt.gov
Carbon County
Becky Van Horn, (406) 446-3667, preservation@carboncountyhistory.com
Columbus-Stillwater County
Penny Redli, (406) 322-4588, predli@MuseumoftheBeartooths.com
Deer Lodge
Jacque Lavelle, jaclavelle@gmail.com
Great Falls-Cascade County
Samantha Long, (406) 455-8432, slong@greatfallsmt.net
Hardin-Big Horn County
vacant
Havre-Hill County
Wade Bitz, wadebitz@gmail.com
Lewis & Clark County
Pamela J. Attardo, (406) 447-8357, pattardo@lccountymt.gov
Lewistown
Doug Osterman, (406) 535-1775, planning@ci.lewistown.mt.us
Livingston
Jennifer Severson, (406) 222-4903, jseverson@livingstonmontana.org
Miles City
vacant
Missoula
Elizabeth Johnson, (406) 552-6638, johnsone@ci.missoula.mt.us
Virginia City
Eric Barsness, (406) 843-5321, virginiacityhpo@3rivers.net
ASSINIBOINE & SIOUX TRIBES CULTURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE www.fortpecktribes.org/crd/
PO Box 1027 - Fort Peck Agency - Poplar, MT 59255
THPO: Dyan Youpee, Phone: (406) 768-2382, d.youpee@fortpecktribes.net
BLACKFEET NATION TRIBE
PO Box 850 - Browning, MT 59417
THPO: John Murray, (406) 338-7522, jmflysdown@gmail.com
FORT BELKNAP INDIAN COMMUNITY
656 Agency Main Street – Harlem, MT 59526
THPO: Michael J. Black Wolf, (406) 353-2295, mblackwolf@ftbelknap.org
THE CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS
PO Box 159 - Crow Agency, MT 59022
THPO: Aaron B. Brien, Cell: (406) 679-2511, (406) 839-3817, aaron.brien@crow-nsn.gov
NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE
PO Box 128 - N. Cheyenne Agency - Lame Deer, MT 59043
THPO: Teanna Limpy, (406) 477-4839
Northern Cheyenne Tribal Archaeologist
Andrew J. Richard, (406) 548-4841, andrew.richard@cheyennenation.com
CHIPPEWA CREE CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT
http://www.nei-yahw.com/
9740 Upper Box Elder Rd. - Box Elder, MT 59521
THPO: Jonathan Windy Boy, (406) 395-4700, Jonathan.windyboy@nei-yahw.com
CONFEDERATED SALISH & KOOTENAI TRIBES PRESERVATION OFFICE
PO Box 278 - Pablo, MT 59855
THPO: Madeline M. Caye, (406) 675-2700 ext 1215, madeline.caye@cskt.org
LITTLE SHELL CULTURE COMMITTEE
625 Central Ave West Suite 100 - Great Falls MT 59404
Gerald Grey, 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, Laura Evilsizer
levilsizer@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.
Skilled Trades and Architecture Professionals (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
Multiple Property Documents (by county)
Airway Beacon System, 1934-1979 (Multiple Counties)
Black Montana's Heritage Places (Multiple Counties)
Bridges, Historic Steel Stringer and Steel Girder 1901-1961 (Multiple Counties)
Bridges, Historic Steel Truss MPD (Multiple Counties)
Bridges, Historic Timber Stringer MPD (Multiple Counties)
Bridges, Reinforced Concrete MPD (Multiple Counties)
Fire Lookouts, USFS Northern Region 1 1932-1967 MPD (Multiple Counties)
Post Offices in Montana 1900-1941 MPD (Multiple Counties)
Roadside Architecture, US Highway 2 MPD (Multiple Counties)
Whoop-Up Trail (Multiple Counties)
Montana Modern: Post World War II Architectural Survey and Inventory
BIG HORN
CASCADE - CARBON
DAWSON - DEERLODGE
FLATHEAD - FERGUS
Lake McDonald Recreation Camps MPD (Flathead Co)
Lewistown, Stone Buildings MPD (Fergus Co)
GALLATIN - GLACIER - GLACIER NP
Schools, One Room in Gallatin County MPD (Gallatin Co)
West Yellowstone MRA (Gallatin Co)
Willow Creek MPD (Gallatin Co)
Glacier National Park MPD (Glacier Co)
Glacier National Park MRA (Glacier Co)
Glacier National Park Amendment MPL
Glacier National Park Architecture MRA
Glacier National Park, Settlement on North Fork Flathead River MPD (Flathead Co)
LEWIS AND CLARK
African American Heritage Places in Helena (Lewis and Clark Co)
Upper Missouri River Corridor, Archeological Resources (Lewis and Clark Co)
MADISON - MISSOULA
RAVALLI - ROSEBUD
SANDERS - SILVERBOW
Thompson Falls MPD (Sanders Co)
Archaeology in Sheridan County MPD (Sheridan Co)
Schools, Suburban in Butte (Silverbow Co)
PARK
Livingston Commercial District (Park Co)
VALLEY
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
Created by Sara Scott, Archaeologist, Helena & Russ Ann Sisk, Teacher, Jim Darcy Elementary School, Helena, for use by the Montana Historical Society
Foreword, Introduction, Acknowledgements, How to Use This Curriculum, Educational Guide
Theme 1.An Introduction to Archaeology
Theme 2. Beginnings of Earth and Prehistoric Human Habitation
Theme 3. Technology: Tools of the Trade
Theme 4. Subsistence: How Did Prehistoric People Make a Living?
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.
Under construction
Montana Archaeology Society: http://www.mtarchaeologicalsociety.org
Montana Preservation Alliance: www.preservemontana.org
Montana Heritage Commission: http://www.montanaheritagecommission.com/
Country Grain Elevator Society: http://www.country-grain-elevator-historical-society.org
Western Heritage Center: www.ywhc.org
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: www.achp.gov
American Cultural Resources Association: www.acra-crm.org
American Institute of Architects: www.aia.org
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works: http://aic.stanford.edu
American Memory: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amhome.html
Government Printing Office (Federal Register notices): www.access.gpo.gov
Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American and Engineering Record (HABS/HAER): http://www.nps.gov/hdp/standards/habsguidelines.htm
Historic Preservation Learning Portal: http://www.nps.gov/fpi/PreservationPortal.html
Idaho SHPO http://www.idahohistory.net/SHPO.html
Library of Congress: https://loc.gov
National Alliance of Preservation Commissions: https://napcommissions.org/
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers: www.nathpo.org
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training: www.ncptt.nps.gov
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers: www.ncshpo.org
National Register of Historic Places: http://www.nps.gov/nr/
Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm
Secretary's Standards for Rehabilitation: http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments/treatment-rehabilitation.htm
Preservation Directory: www.PreservationDirectory.com
Preservation Briefs: http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs.htm
SHPO list: http://www.nps.gov/nr/shpolist.htm
National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse: www.enhancements.org
National Trust for Historic Preservation: https://savingplaces.org
North Dakota SHPO: http://history.nd.gov/hp/
Old-House Journal: www.oldhousejournal.com
Preservation Action: www.preservationaction.org
Renewal Alliance: http://www.senate.gov/~santorum/real/real.html
Resources and Research Tools: www.preservationdirectory.com
Scenic America: www.scenic.org
Society for American Archaeology: www.saa.org
Society for Commercial Archeology: www.sca-roadside.org
Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse: www.sprawlwatch.org
Surface Transportation Policy Project: www.transact.org
Virginia City Montana: http://www.virginiacitymt.com/
Wyoming SHPO: http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us
