The Grand Canyon
Plans introduced in the 1960s called for two dams near Grand Canyon National Park that would have dramatically altered the Colorado River and surrounding landscape. A major environmental campaign helped defeat the proposals, and neither dam was built.
The Hollywood Sign
The original Hollywood Sign deteriorated so badly that parts of its letters literally fell apart during the 1970s. A celebrity-backed fundraising campaign paid for a complete steel replacement in 1978, creating the much sturdier sign seen today.
Mount Vernon
By the mid-1800s, George Washington’s Mount Vernon had deteriorated badly, with parts of the mansion requiring structural support. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association purchased the property and began the long preservation effort that saved it.
Monticello
Thomas Jefferson’s famous Virginia home deteriorated significantly after leaving his family’s ownership, while its grounds were radically altered. Uriah Phillips Levy purchased Monticello in 1834 and chose to preserve the property rather than remake it.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s survived repeated attacks during the Blitz, including incendiary devices and direct bomb strikes. Volunteers protected the cathedral from fires, while one massive unexploded bomb that could have destroyed much of the building was successfully removed.
Dubrovnik’s Old City
Dubrovnik’s historic center suffered serious damage during the armed conflict of the early 1990s and was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list. A major restoration effort repaired damaged roofs, façades, palaces, and other historic structures, allowing the city to leave the danger list in 1998.
