Press Release

WORLD MONUMENTS FUND CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION AROUND THE GLOBE

December 11, 2024

Venice, Italy; Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia; Bears Ears National Monument, USA

New York, December 12, 2024 – In 2025, World Monuments Fund (WMF) will celebrate its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of dedication to preserving the world’s cultural heritage. Founded in 1965 by Colonel James A. Gray, WMF began with a bold mission to protect historic landmarks around the world from mounting threats. Since then, WMF has expanded to support over 700 sites across 112 countries, providing communities with the expertise and resources needed to safeguard and revitalize the places that shape their identities.

“Heritage preservation is a force for resilience, unity, and hope, empowering communities to confront today's pressing challenges,” said Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO of WMF. “From climate change and over tourism to post-conflict recovery and inclusivity, WMF’s work supports communities by strengthening identities and fostering peace. Over the past 60 years, WMF has evolved to meet these complex challenges, growing from a pioneering initiative into a global authority on heritage preservation and positively impacting society along the way.”

The organization’s priorities are reflected in specific programs such as the Climate Heritage Initiative, Crisis Response Program, and Jewish Heritage Program. These initiatives are designed to further development of key projects and research in those specific areas.

In 1996, WMF launched the World Monuments Watch, a biennial, nomination-based program, to mobilize action, build public awareness and demonstrate how heritage can foster community resilience and unity. To date, WMF has raised more than $120 million toward projects at nearly 350 Watch sites, with the visibility provided by the Watch helping communities leverage an additional $300 million from other sources.

Since its founding in New York in 1965, WMF has expanded its reach through a network of regional offices, each addressing the specific heritage needs of its region. WMF Spain was established in 1992, followed by WMF Portugal in 1993, WMF Britain in 1995, WMF Peru in 2014, WMF India in 2015, and WMF France in 2023.

WMF’s history of transformative projects is exemplified by several landmark sites worldwide, each demonstrating the organization’s commitment to heritage preservation. Highlights include:

Venice, Italy – In response to the devastating floods in 1966, WMF launched a major preservation campaign, eventually encompassing nearly 40 landmark buildings and masterworks throughout the city, while establishing models for international heritage conservation that would shape the organization’s future work worldwide.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia – As the organization’s first field project, since 1966, WMF has worked to preserve these ancient churches through long-term stabilization and training programs for local craftspeople.

Rapa Nui National Park, Chile – WMF has been active on Rapa Nui since 1967, collaborating with park administrators on conservation campaigns and developing tourism infrastructure to protect the island’s iconic cultural heritage.

Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia — Since 1989, WMF has led conservation efforts to restore the temples and train local caretakers, supporting Cambodia’s post-conflict recovery and revitalizing the local economy.

Future of Babylon, Iraq – Since 2008, WMF has worked with Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage to stabilize Babylon’s structures and support its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bears Ears National Monument, United States – Added to the World Monuments Watch in 2020, Bears Ears covers 1.35 million acres of sacred Indigenous land in Utah. WMF supports sustainable tourism practices and Indigenous stewardship to protect its cultural and natural heritage.

WMF’s plans for 2025 include the launch of several new initiatives and projects to broaden its impact on global heritage preservation, including the announcement of the 2025 World Monuments Watch which will launch in mid-January. The Cultivating Resilience program, which develops climate adaptation for historic gardens and landscapes while preserving their cultural significance, will expand to additional sites. Sustainable tourism will remain a key focus, with new phases of work at Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia; Failaka Island, Kuwait; and Ciudad Perdida, Colombia. A partnership with hospitality leader Accor as WMF’s Sustainable Tourism Partner will further these efforts, including collaborative work at selected 2025 Watch sites. WMF will also open new offices in China and Bahrain, advancing its global mission and strengthening local engagement.

EVENTS

60th anniversary celebrations will kick-off with the announcement of the 2025 World Monuments Watch (WMF’s biennial, nomination-based advocacy program) with local Watch parties in Paris and London. Events will continue throughout 2025, including a series of talks on Notre-Dame with architect Philippe Villeneuve and art historian Barry Bergdoll in Palm Beach, Los Angeles, and New York (March 6, 10, and 12); a lecture with author and journalist Walter Isaacson celebrating New Orlean’s cultural heritage 20 years after Hurricane Katrina (March 9); exhibitions at The Century Association, New York (March 13 – May 8), and TEFAF Maastricht (March 15-20); a symposium in Hong Kong; The Met's Michael C. Rockefeller Wing reopening in May featuring WMF-partnered digital resources spotlighting Sub-Saharan African heritage; and more. Details will be shared throughout the year at wmf.org/events.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 Nights

The centerpiece of WMF’s 60th anniversary, Around the World in 60 Nights, is a year-long series of dinners, receptions, and other gatherings hosted by leading WMF supporters designed to build awareness of WMF’s impact and celebrate the importance of heritage preservation at large. Notable celebrations will be organized at iconic historic places such as Windsor Castle, United Kingdom, and the Alhambra, Spain.

Acclaimed fashion designer and WMF Trustee Christian Louboutin is one of the 60 leaders who will participate in the Around the World in 60 Nights program. “I am honored to celebrate World Monuments Fund's 60th anniversary through designing creative assets and hosting my own heritage celebration at the historic gardens Les Jardins de Kerdalo, in Brittany, France,” said Louboutin. “All of us are connected by our family roots but also cultural heritage at large so it’s an important thing to preserve—both physically and with our memories.” Louboutin’s team has designed a visual identity and assets for Around the World in 60 Nights highlighting signature cultural sites where WMF has worked over the past 60 years.

Anniversary festivities will culminate with WMF’s Hadrian Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Temple of Dendur in New York in October 2025.

For more information about WMF’s 60th anniversary, please visit wmf.org/60thanniversary.

World Monuments Fund’s work at Rapa Nui has been made possible, in part, by support from The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, American Express, and The Selz Foundation.

World Monuments Fund’s work at Lalibela has been made possible, in part, by support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, The J.M. Kaplan Fund, the Janet Wright Ketcham Foundation, and Tianaderrah Foundation / Nellie and Robert Gipson.

World Monuments Fund's work at Angkor Archaeological Park has been made possible, in part, by support from the U.S. Department of State; the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh; The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust; The Ralph E. Ogden Foundation; The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc.; The Estate of Margo Leavin; The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston; American Express; The DM Foundation; The Starr Foundation; International Music and Art Foundation; Mrs. Betty Wold Johnson and Mr. Douglas Bushnell; Wendy and Robert Brandow; Eleanor Briggs; Christopher and Priscilla Brewer; Samuel C . Miller and Rosetta A. Miller; The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation; Denise Gwyn Ferguson; Carnegie Corporation of New York; Isambard Kingdom Brunel Society of North America/Mr. and Mrs. Peter Norton; Donald I. Perry; Peter W. Davidson and Drew McGhee; Selma Ertegün; Tianaderrah Foundation / Nellie and Robert Gipson; Virginia James; The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts; The Estate of John Dennis; Pamela and David B. Ford; Gillian Fuller; Nora McNeely Hurley and Manitou Fund; Samuel H. Kress Foundation; and Peter Spry-Leverton.

World Monuments Fund’s work at Phnom Bakheng has been made possible, in part, by the U.S. Department of State; the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh; The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust; Anonymous; Denise Gwyn Ferguson; Wendy and Robert Brandow; and Nora McNeely Hurley and Manitou Fund.

World Monuments Fund's work at Bears Ears National Monument has been made possible, in part, by support from Butler Conservation; Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg; the Friends of Heritage Preservation; and by Nora McNeely Hurley and Manitou Fund.

World Monuments Fund’s work at Babylon has been made possible, in part, by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, and The J. M. Kaplan Fund.

World Monuments Fund's work at Ciudad Perdida has been made possible, in part, by support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and the U.S. Embassy Bogotá. Work at this site has also been supported by the Global Heritage Fund Transition Fund.

About World Monuments Fund

World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich lives and build mutual understanding. For more than 55 years, working at more than 700 sites in 112 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through the World Monuments Watch—a biennial, nomination-based program—WMF uses cultural heritage conservation to empower communities and improve human well-being. In partnership with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has offices and affiliates worldwide.

Press Contacts

WMF Contact

Keaton Ramjit, Media Relations Manager for World Monuments Fund
kramjit@wmf.org

Communications in the US

Nothing Obstacle – Dan Duray
dan@nothingobstacle.com

Communications in the UK

GB Communicaiton – Roxane Latrèche
communication@gbcom.media

Communications in France

GB Communication – Gaëlle de Bernède
contact@gbcom.media

Communications in Spain & Portugal

GB Communication - Héctor San José
hectorsanjose@live.com

GB Communication – Julián Hernández Miranda
julian.hdez58@gmail.com