Monumentum Spring 2015

While five sites cannot adequately represent all of WMF’s work in the field, those we have chosen share several themes of great importance to WMF. They represent extraordinary past achievements, have the potential for greater community benefit and engagement, and intrigue residents and visitors who enjoy and use the sites today. WMF has worked in Italy since its founding and its work in Rome has resulted not merely in completing conservation projects but in returning cultural resources to the public by improving access and site interpretation. WMF has worked at Angkor for more than 20 years and has contributed significantly to conservation at several sites, but has also importantly provided valuable training for conservation architects, engineers, conservators, and site workers.

In Beijing, WMF has worked in close partnership with the Palace Museum to develop a comprehensive program of conservation, training, and interpretation. The program emphasises international exchange and has created permanent resources for increased research and conservation of the extraordinary treasures of the Qianlong Garden. At Agra, WMF’s focus is research, conservation and interpretation of the Mughal Riverfront Gardens across from the Taj Mahal. The project is in its early stages but is already revealing much about the design and beauty of the gardens. WMF has worked on several projects in Lima, most notably a small exhibition on the architectural treasures of this historic urban center. What started as a small local presentation then travelled to Ecuador, Cuba, Italy, France, and Spain. It was clear that Lima’s extraordinary history resonated strongly with the public and including Quinta de Presa in the roster of 50th anniversary projects is a reflection of how much there is still to discover about this city – one that has complex layers of habitation from ancient settlements to Baroque colonisation to the fascinating 21st century cultural centre.