PRESERVE EDUCATE CONNECT
Research, Internship, and Scholarship Opportunities for Students
Cultivating the next generation of archaeologists and preservationists is a priority for the Montana SHPO. We strive to provide opportunities for students and volunteers to engage with hands-on learning and research through programs like the Youth Archaeological Survey for high schoolers; and research support, conference scholarships, and internships for public history and historic architecture college students.
Database Access for Research
Graduate students can enhance their research by utilizing Montana’s extensive historic and archaeological records and associated geospatial data. The digital antiquities database holds over 100,000 records including cultural resource inventory reports; records for precontact, historic, archaeological, and architectural sites; published works and gray literature specific to sites in Montana; and more. Information within the database can provide long-lens perspective to investigations into social science and anthropology, Native American studies, humanities, public history, environmental history, earth science, land resources and environmental science, agriculture, architecture, remote sensing, data science, and more.
The Inspiration:
State Archaeologist Jessica Bush, came up with the idea to promote research using the database, and shares her inspiration in this video.
Database Demo:
Damon Murdo, Cultural Records Manager for Montana SHPO, demonstrates how to navigate the database for research.
Research Example:
Laura Evilsizer, Archaeologist with the Montana Department of Transportation, describes how she used the Cultural Resource Database to enhance her Master’s thesis.
Preregister for a live demonstration, orientation, and question/answer webinar by answering a few questions on this form:
Do you have a research idea?
More Opportunities for Students
SHPO Internships
Interns working with staff at the Montana SHPO gain hands-on experience with a wide range of work related to preserving Montana's historic and cultural places. Projects can be tailored to an interns interests, skills, and experience in historic architecture, archaeology, public history, cultural resource survey, and GIS/data management. Get notified when internships are available. Send and email to mtshpo@mt.gov with subject: "Internship"
Heritage/ Archaeology Field Instructor
This position supervises and transports teams of high school students who will monitor heritage and archaeological sites on public lands near Helena and the surrounding area as part of the Youth Forest Monitoring Program (YFMP). The field instructor position is based in Helena and runs early June to late July. Learn more
History Conference Scholarships
Montana SHPO offers a $700 scholarship for university students presenting their work on historic preservation at the Montana History Conference. The scholar will attend the conference as a speaker, poster presenter, or panel member, sharing their research / project related to preserving Montana’s historic and cultural places and communities.
Applications received by September 1 will be considered for the fall conference.
