Preserving Haiti’s Gingerbread Houses: 2010 Earthquake Mission Report

In April 2010, three months after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a World Monuments Fund team traveled to Port-au-Prince to undertake an assessment of the historic Gingerbread House district.  With their intricate ornamentation, these turn-of-the-century structures are icons of Haiti’s rich and vibrant past.  Their revitalization is also an important symbol for the country’s recovery. This mission report documents the assessment process and outcomes, including mapping of the historic buildings, photographic documentation of damage, an online Gingerbread Damage Survey Database, a preliminary condition and repair feasibility analysis, recommendations for conservation strategies, and community workshops to advance the revitalization process.