Famous Historical Preservation Projects

Woodlawn Plantation, the home of George Washington's adopted daughter, Nelly Custis Lewis, was saved from demolition by a group of citizens in the 1950s. This event led to the creation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving historic places.

The Statue of Liberty Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Statue of Liberty to its original condition in the 1980s. The project included cleaning the statue, repairing its structure, and replacing its torch.

Abu Simbel, a complex of two temples carved into a sandstone cliff in southern Egypt, was saved from flooding by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The temples were dismantled and moved to a higher location to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

The Colosseum Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Colosseum in Rome to its former glory in the 1990s. The project included cleaning the Colosseum, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

Machu Picchu, an ancient city located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, was saved from destruction by the construction of a hydroelectric dam in the 1970s. The city was relocated to a higher location to protect it from the rising waters of the dam's reservoir.

The Sydney Opera House Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Sydney Opera House to its original condition in the 2000s. The project included cleaning the opera house, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

Angkor Wat, a massive temple complex located in Cambodia, was saved from destruction by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. The temple was abandoned and left to decay, but it was later restored and reopened to the public.

The Taj Mahal Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Taj Mahal to its original condition in the 1990s. The project included cleaning the Taj Mahal, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

The Acropolis, a hilltop citadel located in Athens, Greece, was saved from destruction by a group of citizens in the 1960s. The Acropolis was threatened by pollution and development, but it was later restored and reopened to the public.

The Palace of Versailles Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Palace of Versailles to its original condition in the 1980s. The project included cleaning the palace, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

Teotihuacan, an ancient city located in Mexico, was saved from destruction by a group of citizens in the 1970s. The city was threatened by development, but it was later restored and reopened to the public.

The Forbidden City Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Forbidden City to its original condition in the 1990s. The project included cleaning the Forbidden City, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

The Taj Mahal, a massive mausoleum located in Agra, India, was saved from destruction by a group of citizens in the 1980s. The Taj Mahal was threatened by pollution and development, but it was later restored and reopened to the public.

The Kremlin Restoration Project was a major undertaking that restored the Kremlin to its original condition in the 1990s. The project included cleaning the Kremlin, repairing its structure, and restoring its original colors.

Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, was saved from destruction by a group of citizens in the 1960s. The estate was threatened by development, but it was later restored and reopened to the public.