MARCH 2008 E-NEWS
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Scott's Hut, Antarctica
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WMF in the News

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Hasankeyf, Turkey

Ladakh Trip
A Journey to the Roof of the World
Ladakh, India: July 7-16, 2008
 
This summer, join the World Monuments Fund on an adventure through the ancient kingdom of Ladakh, India, to explore the history of Buddhist art and architecture high in the Himalayas.  For more information, visit www.wmf.org/travel
or call 646-424-9594.

Chantilly's "Monkey Room" Restored to its Glory

The Grande Singerie, or "Monkey Room," is a glorious salon located in the heart of the Château de Chantilly, about 24 miles northeast of Paris. Its walls are lined with painted wooden panels featuring whimsical depictions of costumed monkeys imitating humans.  For decades, the room was in disrepair, deteriorating due to water infiltration.  WMF's restoration cleaned and consolidated the painted and gilded boiseries and ceiling.  The revived "Monkey Room" is now open to the public, part of a major refurbishment of the former royal estate.  The restoration of the Grande Singerie was led in partnership by WMF and the Aga Khan.

 
Read more about the Grande Singerie.
Revitalizing Mexico City's Historic Center

Last month, WMF representative Norma Barbacci, Director of Programs for Latin America, took part in a press conference in Mexico City announcing the $200,000 grant that will support the creation of interactive displays and virtual models for the planned visitor center.  This is the second major award from American Express for our Sustainable Tourism Initiative, and will help the Fundación Centro Histórico revitalize the historic core of Mexico CityThe center will be sited in the remains of the early-20th-century Rule building, a Neoclassical movie palace that was badly damaged in the 1985 earthquake.  Norma notes that the center will "serve as a symbol of the new possibilities for the city's historic center and will be a great catalyst in revitalizing the downtown historic district."  Incorporating natural light and contemporary architectural design, the center will teach visitors about individual historic sites, architectural history, tourist attractions, and walking tours.  It will open in 2010 to celebrate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution and the bicentennial of the country's independence.

 
Success with Lisbon's Watch-listed Teatro Capitólio

Capitolio FrontThis theater in Lisbon is a very recent success story for WMF.  Its WMF Watch listing in 2006 helped bring much needed attention to the structure and ignited public debate over its future.  An innovative Modern structure built between 1925-1931, the theater originally included a naturally lit performance hall and an open air terrace on the roof for film screenings.  Over time, the exterior of the structure was modified: a new roof was built over the terrace and the large glass windows that lined the performance hall were covered.  The theater closed in the 1980s and was slated for demolition in 2003 despite being a nationally recognized landmark.  Citizens for Capitólio, the grassroots group that sought to save the building, credits our listing as playing an "instrumental role in reversing a proposed plan to demolish it and redevelop the site."  The building will be restored as closely as possible to its original design and condition.

 

Breaking News
WTC Staircase. Photo: AllWaysNY via flickrIn the wake of September 11th, WMF added Historic Lower Manhattan to the 2002 World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites as an emergency 101st entry. We are happy to note that the "survivors' staircase," used by many to flee the towers' wreckage, has been successfully relocated and will become part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
 
 
 
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