Cultural Records
To request a file search please fill out the File Search Request form and email it in to dmurdo@mt.gov. The results of the file search will be sent within a few days of receiving the request.
Smithsonian Number Requests:
To request a Smithsonian number
please send in a completed Montana CRIS form with a 7.5' quad map showing
site location. If site forms are submitted electronically they must be
sent as a PDF.
Site Form Requests:
To request a site form (CRIS)
please fill out the Site Form Request form and email it in to
svihlene@mt.gov.
The Montana Antiquities Database contains cultural resource information on known historic and archaeological sites, previously conducted cultural resource inventories, National Register site status, and cultural resource management project information. The database uses Oracle software and is housed at the Montana State Historic Preservation Office in Helena and the University of Montana Site Records Office in Missoula.
The database is divided into three parts:
- Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)
- The CRIS portion of the database contains information on over 51,000
historic and archaeological sites within the State of Montana. It includes
information on site type, owner, period, legal location, and numerous other
data fields. The SHPO requires Smithsonian numbers in order to process all consultation,
including resolving APE, Eligibility, Effect etc., as it is the sole means
of tracking properties. To obtain a Smithsonian number see below.
- The CRIS portion of the database contains information on over 51,000
historic and archaeological sites within the State of Montana. It includes
information on site type, owner, period, legal location, and numerous other
data fields. The SHPO requires Smithsonian numbers in order to process all consultation,
including resolving APE, Eligibility, Effect etc., as it is the sole means
of tracking properties. To obtain a Smithsonian number see below.
- Cultural Resource Annotated Bibliography System (CRABS)
- The CRABS bibliographic listings contain information on over 30,000 previous cultural resource inventories conducted within the State of Montana. It includes information on author, title, date completed, survey acres, legal location, agency, and other useful data fields. It also includes a list of searchable keywords that allows us to generate reports on specific topics.
- Project, Eligibility, & Effect Report (PEER)
- PEER includes information on cultural resource projects conducted around
Montana, and that SHPO reviews on a regular basis. It includes information
on the eligibility of sites, effects, and more general project information.
- PEER includes information on cultural resource projects conducted around
Montana, and that SHPO reviews on a regular basis. It includes information
on the eligibility of sites, effects, and more general project information.
- To view a public version of our State Antiquities Database please click here.
Beginning on May 17, 2011, the files and
services of the Site Records Office, currently housed at the University of
Montana, will be incorporated into the State Historic Preservation Office in
Helena. (Brochure)
Obtaining a Smithsonian Number will still require completion of the Cultural
Resource Information System (CRIS) form, and a 7.5’ Quad map showing the site
location,, but beginning May 17, 2011 these forms can be submitted as PDF’s
through email or the State of Montana - File Transfer Service via ePass. Contact
SHPO, or click here for ePass instructions.
Site forms may only be submitted electronically in PDF format. If you submit the
draft site form electronically, then you MUST submit the final draft
electronically along with a paper copy. The paper copy of the final draft site
form can be submitted with its respective cultural resource inventory report.
There is no need to submit an additional paper copy.
