
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.
World Monuments Fund is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by individuals concerned about the accelerating destruction of important artistic treasures throughout the world. Now, over 50 years later, World Monuments Fund has orchestrated over 600 projects in 90 countries. With affiliate organizations established in Britain, India, Peru, Portugal, and Spain, World Monuments Fund sponsors an ongoing program for the conservation of cultural heritage worldwide. The World Monuments Watch, a global program launched in 1995 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of World Monuments Fund, aims to identify imperiled cultural heritage sites and direct financial and technical support for their preservation.
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.
Looking Back
World Monuments Fund (then called International Fund for Monuments) founded by Colonel James A. Gray, intrigued by challenges facing the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
WMF committee raises funds for sites affected by Venice flooding; 25 buildings would be restored.
WMF begins preservation project at Lalibela, Ethiopia, its first in Africa.
Easter Island Committee formed with the Chilean government. Tours follow to raise awareness.
Shortly after Franco dictatorship ends, WMF launches its first project in Spain at the cathedral in Toledo.
Gokarna complex project launched in Kathmandu, WMF's first project in Asia.
Colonel Gray retires, Bonnie Burnham appointed executive director, and IFM becomes World Monuments Fund.
Conservation program launched for earthquake-damaged twentieth-century murals in Mexico City.
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.
Affiliates established in Italy and France.
Jewish Heritage program established with support of Hon. Ronald S. Lauder; preservation program begins to expand beyond former Iron Curtain.
Hadrian Award established. First recipient is Carlo de Benedetti.
First mission to Angkor in Cambodia, where WMF is the first Western organization to survey temples since the 1950s.
The Siege of Dubrovnik and the destruction of the old bridge in Mostar will prompt WMF post-conflict restoration activities at both sites.
World Monuments Fund Spain (1992) and Portugal (1993) established.
Launch of the World Monuments Watch with American Express as founding sponsor. First list released in 1996.
World Monuments Fund Britain established.
Umbria and Marche earthquake in Central Italy WMF begins restoration at several earthquake-damaged sites in Umbria.
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.
WMF launches initiative to rebuild capacity of Iraq's antiquities staff.
Post-catastrophe preservation programs established in New Orleans.
Modernism at Risk initiative, dedicated to the preservation of twentieth-century architecture, established with support from Knoll.
WMF begins work to preserve cultural heritage sites damaged in the Japan disaster.
WMF’s 50th Anniversary period launched with events in London, including talks by John Julius Norwich and William Dalrymple.
World Monuments Fund Peru established.
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.
World Monuments Fund India established.
World Heritage Sites in Nepal are added to the 2016 World Monuments Watch following the massive earthquake on April 25, 2015.
A capacity-building training program launches in Mafraq, Jordan. This is WMF’s first capacity-building program designed for refugees.
WMF collaborates with Google’s Arts & Culture platform to highlight Iraqi heritage and the challenges faced in preserving it.
WMF, in partnership with the AAACRHSC and the BCRI, launches Voices of Alabama, an oral history project spotlighting 20 Civil Rights sites.
WMF celebrates 30 years of conservation work at Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Cambodia.
The Crisis Response Program is created to provide resources for early recovery actions in the wake of disaster.
The Relief Fund is established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support WMF conservators and preservation workers around the world.
The third edition of WMF’s capacity building training program designed for refugees launches in Tripoli, Lebanon.
WMF launches its first B2CC landscape preservation program at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY.
Our team has been recognized as some of the brightest and most capable minds in the field of heritage preservation.
Our work depends on the generous support of corporate and foundation partners, who make a wide range of projects around the world possible.
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