In the early 1960s, Colonel James A. Gray started the organization that would become the World Monuments Fund (WMF). With a keen eye towards preserving places and monuments associated with the great cultural achievements spread across the continents, the WMF’s first project was to assist in the restoration of the medieval churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia. With offices in New York and across Western...

Whether from civil unrest or environmental degradation, many of the world's great cultural and historical landmarks remain threatened. Fortunately, there are groups like the World Monument Watch who keep close tabs on the state of these important resources. On the site, visitors can traipse on through an interactive map of the world to learn about each site. For each site, visitors will find a...