Watch Site
of the Week
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Every week on Facebook we take a closer look at one of the 2012 Watch sites. Be sure to check it out. |
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Colossus Re-Erected at Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon have been famous landmarks in the Nile Valley since antiquity. Originally, however, there were three pairs of colossal statues, two on either side of each monumental gateway, or pylon, of Pharaoh Amenhotep III's mortuary temple. Along with the rest of the vast temple, these colossi vanished in antiquity after a series of earthquakes, leaving the two famous Colossi of Memnon as the only major visible remnants. Excavations and WMF-supported conservation work have been ongoing at the site since the first World Monuments Watch-listing in 1998, and over several seasons large sections of toppled colossi have been uncovered. On March 1 a ceremony marked the partial re-erection of one of the colossi. The conserved head and torso will be mounted early next year. A slideshow of some recent work is available online. |
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Inauguration Ceremony in Ouro Preto
A ceremony was held on March 18 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of restoration at San Jose Church in Ouro Preto, Brazil. Located at the top of one of many picturesque hills in the town, the church was neglected and closed to parishioners for more than 20 years. WMF launched a restoration project three years ago in collaboration with the Prefeitura de Ouro Preto and Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional. The Archbishop of Mariana celebrated a high mass at the ceremony, which was attended by many members of the local community and representatives of the project partners, as well as Bertrand du Vignaud (pictured, second from right), President of WMF Europe. |
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Economic Study of Route 66 Released
A multi-year study of the importance of heritage tourism and historic preservation along Route 66 has been released. The study was led by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in collaboration with the National Park Service's Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and WMF, with the support of American Express. |
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Rudolph's Gov't Center Still at Risk
The Orange County Legislature will vote on the future of Paul Rudolph's Orange County Government Center, a 2012 Watch site, at a meeting on May 3. The grassroots Taxpayers of Orange County continues to advocate for the preservation of the building, while the county executive presses on with his push for demolition and rebuilding. A number of preservation organizations, including WMF, continue to advocate for the building's preservation for economic and architectural reasons. We recently launched a petition asking the legislature to vote no to demolition. |
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City Approves Marine Stadium Restoration
On March 8, Miami commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of a plan to renovate Miami Marine Stadium, a 1960s modernist building on Virginia Key. The vote of approval comes after years of campaigning by Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, a grassroots group who successfully nominated the site to the 2010 Watch. Following Watch-listing, WMF contributed to a study demonstrating reuse potential. Following the March decision, Friends of Miami Marine Stadium have two years to develop a fundraising strategy and a viable operational plan. |
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Pico Iyer to Deliver First Stern Lecture
Renowned travel writer Pico Iyer will deliver the inaugural H. Peter Stern lecture in New York City on May 21. The title of his lecture is "In Journeys Begin Responsibilities." This new annual lecture is in honor of H. Peter Stern, a trustee of WMF for forty years. A limited number of tickets will be available--look for an announcement in your inbox on April 14. Check our Events & Exhibitions page for more details. |
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Brooklyn High School Gets High Marks
According to a new New York City high school performance report, Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design has achieved an A and is now ranked among the best high schools in the city. Since 2009 WMF has developed and implemented the Preservation Arts Technology curriculum, a course designed to expose students to preservation, architecture, design, engineering, and related fields in order to enrich their academic experiences and provide a greater understanding of the professional world of architecture, construction, urban planning, and conservation. |
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In Memoriam: David L. Davies
WMF mourns the passing of David L. Davies, a passionate collector, traveler, and longtime friend to the organization and enthusiast for the Modernism at Risk program. David will be greatly missed by all at WMF.
David is pictured here, second from right, with partner Jack Weeden, far right, at the 2008 WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize reception with WMF President Bonnie Burnham and Executive Vice President Henry Ng. |
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