A Legacy Reimagined: Inside the World Monuments Fund’s New Chapter in Global Heritage Preservation

In a century defined by constant change, the past is often the first casualty. Cities rise, skylines shift, and the stories carved into stone begin to fade. Yet for sixty years, one organisation has stood quietly against that tide, protecting not only the architecture of civilisation but the memory of who we are. This year, the World Monuments Fund marks that legacy with a bold new chapter that blends tradition, innovation and global ambition.

At the heart of this evolution is the Suzanne Deal Booth Institute for Heritage Preservation, a world-first initiative built on a vision worth nineteen million dollars and an unwavering belief that culture is not a luxury but a responsibility. Supported by philanthropist and art collector Suzanne Deal Booth, the Institute represents a defining moment for heritage preservation, setting out to unite training, research and innovation under one shared purpose.

The Institute will bring together the World Monuments Fund’s global network of specialists, educators and partners, creating a new space where the next generation of heritage professionals can be trained and inspired. From the ancient temples of Cambodia to the gilded traditions of Japan, every project that sits within its reach is connected by a common purpose — to keep humanity’s artistic and cultural story alive in an era often defined by impermanence.

“As we celebrate sixty years of impact, World Monuments Fund is not only reflecting on its history but building its future,” says Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and Chief Executive of the organisation. Her words reflect the spirit of the sixty-million-dollar endowment campaign now under way, strengthened by a twenty-million-dollar matching challenge from the Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust. It is both a safety net and a springboard, designed to ensure the Fund can meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, from climate disruption to cultural recovery.

What makes this development remarkable is not its scale but its purpose. The Suzanne Deal Booth Institute approaches preservation as progress, rather than nostalgia. “By bringing together strategic partnerships, targeted training and professional exchange, we are building global capacity that strengthens the entire field,” explains Dr Jonathan S Bell, Senior Vice President of Global Preservation Strategy and Founding Director of the Institute. His aim is as practical as it is visionary — to prepare the custodians of the future.

The Institute’s reach has been expanded by the support of other key donors. The Gerard B Lambert Foundation, honouring the life and legacy of horticulturist Rachel Bunny Mellon, is funding the Greenspace Heritage Training initiative, which will help communities protect historic gardens and parks as the effects of climate change intensify. Philanthropist Denise Littlefield Sobel is supporting the WMF Archival Initiative, which will digitise and open six decades of conservation records, transforming the Fund’s vast archive into a digital gateway for research. Philanthropist Virginia James has directed her contribution towards the Bridge to Crafts Careers programme, which provides practical opportunities for young artisans to develop skills that keep traditional crafts alive.

Together these projects form an ecosystem that redefines what heritage work can be. They acknowledge that preservation is not about freezing time, but about ensuring that the dialogue between past and present continues. Since its founding in 1965, the World Monuments Fund has worked in more than one hundred countries, restoring over seven hundred heritage sites. From the ancient cities of South America to the cathedrals of Europe, its work connects communities through shared craftsmanship and identity.

With three quarters of its campaign goal already achieved, the Fund’s latest initiative is less about finance and more about vision. The remaining quarter represents an invitation to the world — a chance to take part in safeguarding our collective memory.

In its sixtieth year, the World Monuments Fund is proving that heritage preservation is no longer about monuments standing still. It is about people moving forward together, learning from the past and shaping a future where history continues to breathe.