Welcome to Montana SHPO

Preservation is at the heart of the Montana Historical Society’s mission. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) helps ensure our state’s historic architecture, archaeology, and cultural places are documented, interpreted, and preserved for present and future use.

To learn about your historical artifacts, records, and photographs, contact the Curatorial Office or visit this page to donate to the Montana Historical Society collections.

Records, Resources, and Regulations

Preserving Montana's Places

National Register of Historic Places

Nominate a historic place, find information about listed properties, order an interpretive sign.

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Historic Building Rehabilitation

Find support for your historic preservation project: best practices, tax incentives, and more.

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Community Preservation

Empower community preservation with the Certified Local Government program.

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State Archaeologist & Cultural Records

Preserve, interpret and appreciate Montana’s archaeological sites and artifacts. 

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About State Historic Preservation Offices

All (50) U.S. States, the District of Columbia, (5) Territories, and (3) Freely Associated States have a designated State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Montana’s governor-appointed State Historic Preservation Officer, along with a team of qualified staff, administers programs to fulfill duties required by the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and Montana State Antiquities Act.

These duties include:

  • Maintaining a statewide survey and cultural records for historic and archaeological resources.
  • Evaluating eligibility and facilitating property listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Supporting community preservation and historic building rehabilitation through Certified Local Government and Historic Preservation Tax Credit programs.
  • Assisting federal and state agencies in their responsibilities to identify and protect cultural resources.
  • Providing technical guidance and best practices to preserve historic architecture, archaeology, and other cultural resources. 
  • Developing and implementing a Statewide Preservation Plan

Learn more about Montana SHPO