National Register Sign Program
The Montana Historical Society's National Register property signs encourage locals and tourists to stop and learn about Montana's rich and colorful heritage, inspire others to seek Register listing, and promote historic preservation. If you own or represent a property that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Montana Historical Society invites you to purchase a National Register sign. Signs cost from $35 to $62 each (see details below).
Each National Register sign includes a special logo and brief description of the property's historic significance. Since the program began in 1990, nearly 1,800 National Register signs have been placed across Montana. Montanans and visitors have come to recognize that a Montana National Register sign marks a place important to the history of our state. This is the only official sign program for the State of Montana and the only one that includes interpretive text detailing the history of your property.
Click on the Quick Links below to request a sign or find answers to common questions.
The Historic Montana website and companion app take you on a virtual tour of selected buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Montana's abundant content is reproduced from the thousands of interpretive signs placed at properties across the state to enhance knowledge of historic places and promote historic preservation.
Take It With You
Download the app and use it on your next road trip or bookmark the Historic Montana website on your phone browser.
QUICK LINKS
Fill out and mail or email a form
Please do not send payment with your application. The Montana Historical Society will request payment after you approve your sign text.
- Owners or representatives of individually listed National Register properties
- Owners or representatives of listed historic districts
- Owners of contributing properties within listed historic districts
Still Not Sure?
If you are not sure if your property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, your local government preservation office (planning office) can answer your questions. If your community does not have a preservation office, contact John Boughton at the State Historic Preservation Office: 406-444-7715 or jboughton@mt.gov.
All plaques are pewter-finished anodized aluminum with black etched letters and black frames. All are designed to withstand harsh weather.
- TYPE A 20" X 24" Individually listed or historic district overview, $55
- TYPE B 13" X 16" Contributing property within a historic district, $35
All plaques are drilled for wall mounting. Post mounts are $7 extra. Applicants provide the threaded metal post.
Montana Historical Society staff carefully craft each interpretive sign text, drawing from the site's National Register of Historic Places nomination and a variety of other primary and secondary resources. Property owners will receive a draft text for review and approval prior to preparation of final sign copy.
Applications are processed in order of receipt. After text approval, allow eight to ten weeks for delivery. After the sign is delivered, final sign text and photographs will be posted to the Historic Montana website unless the owner declines.
Mounting instructions can be found here.
Applicants are responsible for installing their signs outside, where the public can enjoy them, within a reasonable timeframe after receiving their order. Owners or sponsoring organizations pay less than 10% of sign manufacturing costs. The Montana Historical Society pays for all other costs (including research/writing time) with its allocated portion of the Accommodations Tax.
What information will be included in my sign text?
Montana National Register of Historic Places signs highlight the history and significance of a property as defined in the National Register of Historic Places nomination. Architectural style, historical events, and people mentioned in the sign will include those within the "period of significance" noted in the National Register nomination.
How many words will be included on my sign?
250 words for Type A signs and 185 words for Type B signs.
What types of information are not included on signs?
- Names of current property owners or current events
- Praise for current owners for renovations/restorations
- Promotional text about the building's current or recent past businesses
- Enticements to visit other local tourist attractions or businesses
- Endorsements
Can I remodel my home however I want to if I install a sign?
Yes, in most cases. Installing a Montana National Register sign on your property does not come with restrictions on remodeling or offer special protections. In some Montana cities, design review may apply to National Register-listed properties. Consult your local city or county planning office for details.
More questions? For other questions, contact sign program coordinator Christine Brown at 406-444-1687 or christine.brown@mt.gov. Please mail paper sign requests to Christine Brown, National Register Sign Program, Montana Historical Society, 225 N. Roberts, P.O. Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620-1201.
