Historic Architecture
Preservation Guidance
Our Historic Architecture Specialist offers technical advice to building owners, architects, and engineers concerning:
- the treatment of historic building materials,
- use of historically appropriate modern materials,
- rehabilitation of historic interior finishes and the building envelope, and
- handicapped accessibility. Design.
Our Advisory Role
Some state owned properties on which we advise include those in Virginia City, Reeder's Alley in Helena, and the Moss Mansion in Billings.
In addition to our statewide advisory role we review and comment on work proposed for historic properties owned or funded by federal agencies such as the National Park Service, Forest Service, and HUD. These buildings range from the great hotels in Glacier National Park to vernacular architecture in our historic neighborhoods.
Preservation Tax Incentives
We also perform the role of statewide representative for the Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit Programs. Please read about these programs in brief and contact us with questions you have. 
Federal Rehab Tax Credits and Green Building PowerPoint.
Rural Property Brick and Mortar Grant
In 2008-2009, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the Montana Historical Society is awarding up to $15,000 as reimbursement for the rehabilitation of historic rural, agriculture related buildings. The intent of the program is to preserve the historic character of rural buildings through historically sensitive rehab. These dollars are to be used for agriculture related buildings such as barns, grain elevators, and outbuildings. Funds will be awarded for brick and mortar expenses incurred only after July 1, 2008. RPB&MG Instructions and Application.
Funding Sources
While the SHPO does not administer a grant program for the preservation of residential or commercial buildings, we recommend investigating the following funding sources:
- Cityscape Capital Group, LLC
- Community Reinvestment Fund
- http://www.grants.gov/
- HUD Community Development Block Grant & HOME Program
- Low Income Housing Tax Credits
- Montana Dept. of Commerce TIIP Grant
- Montana Dept. of Transportation CTEP Grant
- Montana Economic Developers Association
- Montana Lewis and Clark Commission
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Tax Credit Capital, LLC
- USDA Rural Development
- US Forest Service Rural Community Assistance Grant
Technical and Practical Preservation Information
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 Canadian Building Digest has over 250 articles on building conservation and technical building issues in northern climates.
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 the 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.
If you have questions relating to Historic Architecture please visit our FAQs page.
For more information about Historic Architecture, contact Pete Brown at: (406) 444-7718 or E-mail to: pebrown@mt.gov
