OUR VISION
BUILDING OUR FOUNDATION
Born from passion and driven by purpose, AiP was founded with the expectation that our mission and message would result in building a passionate preservation community. The vision called for bringing together university students, professionals, people from all walks of life no experience necessary to use hands-on preservation as a powerful tool for change.
Today, communities around the world are benefitting from the success of this concept.
AIP THROUGH THE YEARS
Adventures in Preservation has become a leader in offering volunteer vacations directed toward saving distinctive architecture that defines a region's history and culture. The fact that historic preservation is innately "green" provides yet another compelling reason for restoring historic buildings for integrated community use, from affordable housing to community centers.
2002
Adventures in Preservation took on two projects in 2002, both in the US. Even though we had just formed the organization in the fall of 2001, we were already receiving requests for help. We were able to set up a project at the Allen Weathers House to address one of those requests by the summer of 2002. With our first two projects, we began building our community of jammers with 11 dedicated volunteers.
2011
This was a landmark year for Adventures in Preservation as we successfully organized projects on 3 continents. We began working in Europe in 2003, and by 2011 had projects in Africa, Europe and North America. The project in Lamu, Kenya allowed us to meet two additional goals. We received the largest grant to-date, and also set up a program to train 12 local youth in traditional building skills with the result that trainees successfully saved and preserved a historic coral rag residence.
2018
By 2018, Adventures in Preservation established 3 long-term partnerships allowing us to return to the same site each year and build on the prior years' successes. Each project was initiated by a request from a local organization or individual. Our ongoing partnership with the Fairfield Foundation in Virginia, US, started in 2011; a site visit to Gyumri, Armenia in 2011 led to hands-on projects beginning in 2017; and a site visit to Dunans Castle, Scotland, in 2017 was the beginning of a project that has become a favorite of Jammers.
TODAY
Adventures in Preservation at this point has completed 49 successful projects in 10 countries with almost 30,000 hours of work donated by 690 Jammers. We received our 191st request for help this year and are making great strides in our efforts to address an increasing number of these requests. Our working Board and our Virtual Volunteers fuel our progress.
We're entering an exciting new chapter at Adventures in Preservation one built around storytelling, connection, and the shared passion that fuels our global community of Jammers. Together, we're not just preserving historic buildings, we're safeguarding the stories, craftsmanship, and cultural identity that connect us all.
ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
Success is only a step to new goals and renewed purpose. The shared passion that fuels our global community of Jammers allows AiP to realize a broader vision.
We work to expand our community through -
Partnerships with university programs to provide in-the-field training
Sponsorship from businesses whose sustainability goals are supported by AiP programming
Collaboration with community groups and individuals who share our passion for action.
AiP envisions a world where people use, understand, and appreciate historic buildings that are vital to economic and environmental sustainability and preserve cultural identity.
The need is compelling and the possibilities for your involvement are exciting and rewarding.