World Monuments Fund Includes Black Mountain College in Preservation List Ahead of Independence Anniversary

On a significant milestone for American heritage, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has announced its latest preservation watch list, which includes the Black Mountain College Studies Building in North Carolina. This initiative, unveiled just before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, highlights 10 historic sites across the United States that require urgent preservation.

Significance of Black Mountain College

The inclusion of Black Mountain College is particularly noteworthy due to its influential role in American art and education. The college, which operated until 1957, was known for its innovative interdisciplinary approach, drawing from Bauhaus principles. Notable alumni such as Robert Rauschenberg and Kenneth Noland contributed to its legacy. The school attracted prominent figures like composer John Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham, who performed one of the first 'Happenings' there in 1952.

Today, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center in Asheville serves to preserve the college's archives and continues to celebrate its educational impact through exhibitions and programs.

Other Historic Sites on the List

The WMF's watch list also features several other significant sites, including:

• African Meeting House in Boston, the oldest surviving Black church in the U.S.
• Colonial-era homes in Newport, Rhode Island, threatened by rising sea levels.
• Dallas City Hall, a prime example of brutalist architecture designed by I. M. Pei.

Bénédicte de Montlaur, president and CEO of WMF, stated, “The United States was built by people from every corner of the globe... That complexity gave rise to some of America’s most enduring contributions.”