Working Together to Preserve Montana: The Montana Historic Preservation Plan 2003-2007

Public Summary: "Historic preservation benefits Montana - culturally, educationally, functionally, and economically. State Preservation Plans guide preservation efforts at the state and local level and are required under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, for the use of federally appropriated funds to assist those efforts. The Montana Plan for 2003-2007, 'Working Together to Preserve Montana', is a revision or update of the previous 1997 Plan. It was developed with input, both direct and indirect, from a broad base of interested parties and stakeholders, including the public, historic preservation professionals, government officials, tribal representatives, state and local preservation organizations, avocationalists, and educational specialists. Montana has a rich and varied set of heritage properties (i.e., historic, prehistoric, and traditional cultural places) that represent different themes in Montana history. Over 40,000 historic and prehistoric sites, buildings, structures, and districts have been identified and recorded in the state, with nearly 1,000 of these listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Many more are known or expected to exist as less than 5% of Montana has been inventoried to date. A significant number of Montana's heritage properties are at risk due to such factors as incompatible commercial and resource development, urban sprawl, neglect, mismanagement, changing population needs, lack of public awareness, and limited financial resources. Significant issues and challenges face Montana preservation over the next five years. They include finding ways to address the availability of necessary financial resources, enhance the local ability to preserve historic/cultural resources, increase public awareness of culture/preservation issues, and facilitate tribal participation in historic preservation. The vision for historic preservation in Montana, and thereby the mission of the State Historic Preservation Office, over the next five years is 'Working together with all Montanans to preserve the state's significant historic, prehistoric, and traditional cultural places. Five goals to guide preservation in achieving this vision are to: I) Foster a preservation ethic for Montana's heritage properties; II) Identify, evaluate, and recognize Montana's heritage properties; III) Create and support a statewide source for information about Montana heritage properties and historic preservation; IV) Encourage the involvement of Montana's tribes in historic preservation; and V) Work effectively with all agencies, organizations, and individuals for good stewardship and sensitive treatment of Montana's heritage properties." Project funding was provided by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, Montana Historical Society, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Working Together to Preserve Montana: The Montana Historic Preservation Plan 2003-2007

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