Since 2002, Preservation Volunteers has brought French and American volunteers together for two weeks of hard work and great fun. Our volunteers rejuvenate valuable pieces of history and help to revitalize communities, all while forming inter-cultural friendships.

Here's just a small sampling of the historic treasures we've helped preserve over the last 16 years:

Conference House Park

Summer 2016 & 2017

Four French volunteers joined our program and collaborated with the experienced staff at Conference House Park in Staten Island. Volunteers restored windows on a historic building in the Park, and learned glazing and woodworking skills.

greenwood CEMETERY

summer 2016 & 2017

Volunteers worked on the marble and bronze treasures in Green-Wood. 

Their work was revolved around the graves of famous French artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat's. Green-Wood arranged a visit to the Brooklyn Museum where the volunteers had the chance to enter the drawings storeroom and see one of Basquiat's original work. 

Bartow-Pell Mansion and Carriage House

Summer 2015

Six French volunteers, joined with American volunteers and interns from the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, finished the ongoing shutter restoration while learning valuable woodworking and finishing skills.