Special Initiatives

Scott’s Hut and the Explorer’s Heritage: Antarctic

Around the world, climate change and the degradation of Earth’s fragile ecosystems due to human activity are beginning to seriously affect cultural heritage sites. Rising sea levels, mutable rainfall patterns, increases in storm severity, and drought have had a impact.

WMF is dedicated not only to protecting historic sites, but also to using traditional methods suited to the local environment, strengthening community participation in protecting cultural resources, encouraging green building materials, and promoting sustainable tourism.

As WMF learns more about the increasing number of heritage sites threatened by the effects of global climate change, we are examining ways in which we can help. It is imperative that the field of cultural historic preservation issue a call to action, and that we work more closely with the environmental conservation movement. We share a common mission and we need to develop strategies to preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources for future generations to enjoy.

European Fine Interiors

The European Fine Interiors Program, managed by WMF Europe, addresses threats faced by significant but neglected architectural interiors. Complex issues often arise because of the many different and occasionally exotic materials that were utilized, making these interiors frequently unique examples of artistic expression. The Program assists in the conservation of these architectural interiors, but importantly also brings them back to public attention and appreciation. Documentation and technical analysis is thorough, and when possible, opportunities for training in traditional crafts and preservation arts with European institutional and philanthropic partners are incorporated int o the project. Recent completed projects include the Salon de Musique in the Biblioteque de l’Arsenal iin Paris and the Grande Singerie in the Chateau de Chantilly. Current projects include the Royal Palace in Venice, the Sala Terrena in the Belvedere Palace in Venice, and Castle Hartenfels in Germany.

Subotica Synagogue: Subotica, Serbia and Montenegro

WMF’s Jewish Heritage Program (JHP) was launched in 1988 to draw attention to Jewish cultural heritage under threat as a result of the Jewish Diaspora and the inability of smaller communities to care for their sacred and secular sites.

In the program’s earliest years, WMF focused its attention on documentation to determine what remained of synagogues, cemeteries, and other buildings erected by the Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. WMF also funded symposia, lectures, and photographic surveys and exhibitions that helped the public understand the serious threats to an important chapter of architectural history.

Over the course of two decades, the JHP has supported conservation work at sites in more than 20 countries, including China, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Lithuania, Morocco, and Poland, ranging in date from the 15th to the early 20th century.

Our current JHP projects have received generous support from Joyce Greenberg, The Rothschild Foundation Europe, the Cahnman Foundation, and Koret Foundation. To request assistance from the Jewish Heritage Program, please see our Request for Assistance page.

DIG DEEPER

Watch a slideshow of before and after photos: Preservation of Five Synagogues

Frank Lloyd Wright's Florida Southern College

World Monuments Fund has worked for decades to save endangered architectural and cultural sites around the globe, from the earliest settlements to 20th-century architecture. In recent years, we have increasingly noted that modern buildings face the same physical threats as ancient structures, despite a mistaken view that modern materials are less fragile than those used in earlier times. In addition, 20th-century architecture often suffers from a lack of understanding of its historical significance.

The Modernism at Risk initiative represents extraordinary—yet threatened—20th-century sites that transcend specific definitions, and brings advocacy and education to the forefront.

Tourists: Phnom Bakheng © Ken Feisel

Recognizing both the benefits and the pressures of tourism on cultural heritage sites around the world, the World Monuments Fund and American Express are partnering on a global initiative focused on sustainable tourism.

Unmanaged tourism can damage heritage sites, and high-profile sites often suffer the most. Managing the numbers of tourists and traffic flow is an essential component of sustainable tourism.

Sustainable tourism minimizes the negative impact of visitors on heritage sites and the surrounding environment, but also produces income and jobs for local communities. Responsible tourism is both culturally and environmentally sensitive.

The Sustainable Tourism initiative is part of the American Express Partners in Preservation program. The initiative rewards and encourages responsible stewardship of historic sites by supporting projects that integrate historic preservation, tourism management, and visitor education into efforts to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites around the world.