Preserving Cultural Heritage Worldwide
Get to know the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation
The U.S. Department of State's Cultural Heritage Center works with partners around the world to protect and preserve cultural heritage through training, exchanges, law enforcement cooperation, and funding for preservation projects through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). AFCP has supported international partners in 130+ countries through more than 1,100 projects to preserve ancient and historic buildings, sites, traditions, languages, and collections since 2001.
Restoration and Seismic Strengthening of the Early 20th-Century Gaddi Baithak (20th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
A major earthquake damaged important sites in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley including the Gaddi Baithak, the former royal residence of Nepal’s kings. Its restoration and reinforcement ensures the site’s resilience into the future.
Nepal
Restoring cultural heritage after disasters
Restoration of the 15th-Century Seit Jemmalatdin (Dragon) Mosque (15th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The Power of Preservation
The United States values diverse cultures. Working together with international partners to preserve heritage protects culturally important sites, objects, and practices and increases mutual understanding. Cultural heritage preservation also engages communities, spurs economic growth, and promotes tolerance and peace.
Conservation of 4th-Century BC Astronomical Horizon Markers at Chankillo Archaeological Site (4th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Peru
Preserving ancient technology
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Chankillo is the earliest known astronomical observatory in the Americas. This project conserves its horizon markers and preserves the knowledge and skills of these early astronomers for a new generation.
Conservation of the 11th-15th-Century Structures at Great Zimbabwe (11th to 15th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Zimbabwe
Protecting against damage from climate change
Conservation of the 11th-15th-Century Structures at Great Zimbabwe (11th to 15th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
History and ingenuity are on full display in the architecture of Great Zimbabwe. Today, the centuries old structures are threatened by invasive plants. A U.S. Ambassadors Fund project supports their ecological restoration.
Bikini, Marshall Islands (1946-03) by Carl MydansLIFE Photo Collection
Marshall Islands
Preserving traditional navigation techniques
Preservation of Traditional Marshallese Navigation (Ongoing)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Marshall Islanders have a complex system for navigating the ocean based on reading swells and currents. The U.S. Ambassadors Fund supported the documentation of this traditional technique and hands-on training to share it with the next generation.
19th-Century Elbow Reef Lighthouse (19th Century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The Bahamas
Restoring a damaged national symbol
Painting of the19th-Century Elbow Reef Lighthouse (19th Century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
This project supports the restoration of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse in the Abaco Islands, damaged in Hurricane Dorian, the last remaining hand-operated lighthouse in the world and an important national symbol that appears on both Bahamian currency and their passports.
Conservation of the Early 13th-Century al-Imam al-Shafi’i Mausoleum (13th Century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Egypt
Preserving cultural heritage by working with communities
Conservation of the Early 13th-Century al-Imam al-Shafi’i Mausoleum (13th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Located in Historic Cairo, the shrine of Al-Imam al-Shafi’i is the burial place of one of Sunni Islam’s foremost figures. This project supported the restoration of the mausoleum in partnership with members of the local community, who continue to use the site.
Conservation of the Historical Collections of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (20th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
South Africa
Supporting social justice
Conservation of the Historical Collections of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (20th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Ambassadors Fund supports social justice by maintaining sites and archives related to struggles for freedom including the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Romania
Celebrating diverse cultural heritage
Conservation of the 14th-Century Fortified Saxon Church (14th Century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The Romanian village of Alma Vii has one of the best examples of a fortified Saxon church. The U.S. Ambassadors Fund worked with local partners to preserve the site and celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the area.
Preservation of the 17th-Century Wat Chaiwatthanaram (17th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Thailand
Sharing innovative conservation techniques
Preservation of the 17th-Century Wat Chaiwatthanaram (17th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
Wat Chaiwatthanram in Ayutthaya, Thailand, a 17th century Buddhist temple, is a model for innovative conservation techniques using local materials and a regional center for preservation education in Southeast Asia.
Conservation of the 6th-Century Church of the Holy Cross at Jvari Monastery (6th century)Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State
The Cultural Heritage Center’s future stories will highlight more U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation projects, as well as other cultural heritage programs supported by the U.S. Department of State.
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