National Register of Historic Places Sign Program
Preserve Historic Missoula offers assistance in funding interpretive signs for homes within Missoula's historic districts as we are able. PHM will act as a sponsoring organization to the Montana Historical Society for the purposes of this program. Please reach out via email to [email protected] for more information.
The Montana Historical Society developed the National Register Sign Program to improve public knowledge of Montana's rich and colorful heritage, to encourage others to seek Register listing, and to promote the preservation of our historic resources.
Each exclusive National Register sign includes a special logo and brief description of the property's historic significance.
Since the program began in 1990, hundreds of 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.
Other organizations have been soliciting orders for National Register plaques, but 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.
The Process
After a property owner submits an application, 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. Each text is designed to highlight the property's distinctive history and pique the reader's interest. Applicants will receive a draft text for review and approval prior to preparation of final sign copy.
Applications are processed in order of receipt and on the basis of geographic distribution, so some time may elapse before applicants receive text for approval. After they approve the text and submit payment, signs are submitted to the manufacturer. Applicants can expect to receive their signs eight to ten weeks after final approval of the text.
The Cost
Applicants are responsible for installing their signs outside, where the public can enjoy them, within a reasonable time of receiving their order. Mounting instructions can be found here.
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.
The current cost of each district/individual property sign is approximately $740. The cost of a contributing property sign, either style, is approximately $475. Post mount brackets for the freestanding type mounting option cost $100. Cost to applicants is only $55 for an individual/district sign, $35 for a contributing sign, and $7 for the post mount bracket.
Types of Signs
Individually listed and district properties receive Type A signs with approximately 250 words of interpretive text.
Owners of properties that contribute to listed historic districts receive Type B signs with up to 180 words of interpretive text.
Hardware is included for the mounting of your choice, but the applicant is responsible for installation. Freestanding installation requires a threaded pipe (not included).
All plaques are pewter-finished anodized aluminum with dark etched letters and are designed to withstand harsh weather.
The Montana Historical Society developed the National Register Sign Program to improve public knowledge of Montana's rich and colorful heritage, to encourage others to seek Register listing, and to promote the preservation of our historic resources.
Each exclusive National Register sign includes a special logo and brief description of the property's historic significance.
Since the program began in 1990, hundreds of 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.
Other organizations have been soliciting orders for National Register plaques, but 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.
The Process
After a property owner submits an application, 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. Each text is designed to highlight the property's distinctive history and pique the reader's interest. Applicants will receive a draft text for review and approval prior to preparation of final sign copy.
Applications are processed in order of receipt and on the basis of geographic distribution, so some time may elapse before applicants receive text for approval. After they approve the text and submit payment, signs are submitted to the manufacturer. Applicants can expect to receive their signs eight to ten weeks after final approval of the text.
The Cost
Applicants are responsible for installing their signs outside, where the public can enjoy them, within a reasonable time of receiving their order. Mounting instructions can be found here.
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.
The current cost of each district/individual property sign is approximately $740. The cost of a contributing property sign, either style, is approximately $475. Post mount brackets for the freestanding type mounting option cost $100. Cost to applicants is only $55 for an individual/district sign, $35 for a contributing sign, and $7 for the post mount bracket.
Types of Signs
Individually listed and district properties receive Type A signs with approximately 250 words of interpretive text.
Owners of properties that contribute to listed historic districts receive Type B signs with up to 180 words of interpretive text.
Hardware is included for the mounting of your choice, but the applicant is responsible for installation. Freestanding installation requires a threaded pipe (not included).
All plaques are pewter-finished anodized aluminum with dark etched letters and are designed to withstand harsh weather.
Type A
Type A signs for individually listed properties or historic district overviews are 20" x 24". They can be mounted on the building or on a post. If you plan to mount it on a post, you will need to order a post mount.
Type A signs for individually listed properties or historic district overviews are 20" x 24". They can be mounted on the building or on a post. If you plan to mount it on a post, you will need to order a post mount.
Type B
Type B signs for contributing properties within a historic district are 13" x 16". They can be mounted either on a building, fence, or stone wall, or on a post. If you plan to mount it on a post, you will need to order a post mount.
Type B signs for contributing properties within a historic district are 13" x 16". They can be mounted either on a building, fence, or stone wall, or on a post. If you plan to mount it on a post, you will need to order a post mount.