1966
Leaning Tower of Pisa
World Monuments Fund (then called International Fund for Monuments) founded by Colonel James A. Gray, intrigued by challenges facing the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Latest news from World Monuments Fund
Dedicated to saving the world's most treasured places
Safeguarding the Irreplaceable
World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich people’s lives and build mutual understanding across cultures and communities. The organization is headquartered in New York City with offices and affiliates in Cambodia, India, Peru, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Since 1965, our global team of experts has preserved the world's diverse cultural heritage using the highest international standards at more than 700 sites in 112 countries. Partnering with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF draws on heritage to address some of today’s most pressing challenges: climate change, underrepresentation, imbalanced tourism, and post-crisis recovery. With a commitment to the people who bring places to life, WMF embraces the potential of the past to create a more resilient and inclusive society.
Affiliates
Affiliates
In addition to hands-on management, our affiliates identify, develop, and manage projects, negotiate local partnerships, and attract local support to complement funds provided by U.S. donors.
- Britain
- India
- Peru
- Portugal
- Spain
WMF India
Unit No.6, Flr-Grd, Plot 126, Neeru Silk Mills,Harishchandra L Nagaonkar Marg, Mathuradas Mill Compound,
Lower Parel, Delisle Road, Mumbai 400 013
Looking Back
Monumental Milestones
1966
Venice Floods
WMF committee raises funds for sites affected by Venice flooding; 25 buildings would be restored.
1966
Lalibela, Ethiopia
WMF begins preservation project at Lalibela, Ethiopia, its first in Africa.
1967
Easter Island
Easter Island Committee formed with the Chilean government. Tours follow to raise awareness.
1977
First Project in Spain
Shortly after Franco dictatorship ends, WMF launches its first project in Spain at the cathedral in Toledo.
1978
First Project in Asia
Gokarna complex project launched in Kathmandu, WMF's first project in Asia.
1984
IFM becomes World Monuments Fund
Colonel Gray retires, Bonnie Burnham appointed executive director, and IFM becomes World Monuments Fund.
1985
Mexico City Earthquake
Conservation program launched for earthquake-damaged twentieth-century murals in Mexico City.
1987
European Preservation Program
Kress Foundation provides funding to establish European Preservation Program. First projects are at Saint-Trophime in Arles, France, and the Portada de la Majestad in Toro, Spain.
1988
Affiliate Program
Affiliates established in Italy and France.
1988
Collapse of the Soviet Union
Jewish Heritage program established with support of Hon. Ronald S. Lauder; preservation program begins to expand beyond former Iron Curtain.
1988
Hadrian Award
Hadrian Award established. First recipient is Carlo de Benedetti.
1989
Mission to Angkor
First mission to Angkor in Cambodia, where WMF is the first Western organization to survey temples since the 1950s.
1991
Conflict in Yugoslavia Begins
The Siege of Dubrovnik and the destruction of the old bridge in Mostar will prompt WMF post-conflict restoration activities at both sites.
1992
Affiliates Added
World Monuments Fund Spain (1992) and Portugal (1993) established.
1995
World Monuments Watch
Launch of the World Monuments Watch with American Express as founding sponsor. First list released in 1996.
1995
WMF Britain
World Monuments Fund Britain established.
1997
Earthquakes in Italy
Umbria and Marche earthquake in Central Italy WMF begins restoration at several earthquake-damaged sites in Umbria.
1999
Wilson Challenge
The Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage is created, providing more than $100 million to nearly 200 heritage sites over the next decade.
2003
War Begins in Iraq
WMF launches initiative to rebuild capacity of Iraq's antiquities staff.
2005
Hurricane Katrina
Post-catastrophe preservation programs established in New Orleans.
2006
Modernism at Risk
Modernism at Risk initiative, dedicated to the preservation of twentieth-century architecture, established with support from Knoll.
2011
Great East Japan Earthquake
WMF begins work to preserve cultural heritage sites damaged in the Japan disaster.
2014
WMF's 50th Anniversary
WMF’s 50th Anniversary period launched with events in London, including talks by John Julius Norwich and William Dalrymple.
2014
WMF Peru
World Monuments Fund Peru established.
2015
Bridge to Crafts Careers
WMF launches the B2CC program to provide underrepresented young adults with hands-on technical training in masonry restoration and the opportunity for placement in a stable career.
2015
WMF India
World Monuments Fund India established.
2016
April 2015 Earthquake in Nepal
World Heritage Sites in Nepal are added to the 2016 World Monuments Watch following the massive earthquake on April 25, 2015.
2017
Building Conservation Capacity in Jordan and Syria
A capacity-building training program launches in Mafraq, Jordan. This is WMF’s first capacity-building program designed for refugees.
2018
Preserving Iraq's Heritage
WMF collaborates with Google’s Arts & Culture platform to highlight Iraqi heritage and the challenges faced in preserving it.
2019
Voices of Alabama
WMF, in partnership with the AAACRHSC and the BCRI, launches Voices of Alabama, an oral history project spotlighting 20 Civil Rights sites.
2019
30 Years at Angkor
WMF celebrates 30 years of conservation work at Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Cambodia.
2019
Crisis Response Program
The Crisis Response Program is created to provide resources for early recovery actions in the wake of disaster.
2020
World Monuments Relief Fund
The Relief Fund is established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support WMF conservators and preservation workers around the world.
2020
Building Conservation Capacity in Lebanon
The third edition of WMF’s capacity building training program designed for refugees launches in Tripoli, Lebanon.
2020
Bridge to Crafts Careers Landscape Preservation
WMF launches its first B2CC landscape preservation program at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.
Our Team
Our team has been recognized as some of the brightest and most capable minds in the field of heritage preservation.
Featured Partners
Featured Partners
Our work depends on the generous support of corporate and foundation partners, who make a wide range of projects around the world possible.
Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage
Watch Magazine
Watch Magazine
2021 Watch Magazine
This commemorative edition of Watch Magazine celebrates WMF's 55 years of work safeguarding the world's treasured places. It explores the incredible accomplishments of WMF and its affiliates around the world, and brings you stories and...
Contact Us
World Monuments Fund
Rockefeller Center
600 Fifth Avenue
25th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Tel: 646-424-9594