172 THE BUILDING CONSERVATION DIRECTORY 2025 CATHEDRAL COMMUNICATIONS building. In 1999, a fire further devastated the structure, destroying its roof and wooden floors. Though its masonry walls remained standing, exposure to the elements accelerated its deterioration. Recognising the significance of Old Fourah Bay College, WMF added it to the World Monuments Watch in 2006, drawing international attention to its plight. The building stands as a powerful symbol of emancipation and cultural heritage, not just for Sierra Leone but for the wider region. Without urgent conservation, the remains of this landmark risk being lost forever. In 2021, WMF launched a phased restoration project funded by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). The initiative aims to stabilise and rehabilitate the structure, transforming it into a cultural hub and museum. The first phase, completed in early 2023, focused on securing the building from collapse, engaging the local community in planning its future, and laying the groundwork for conservation efforts. Building on this progress, a second AFCP grant in 2023 is funding the next phase of restoration. This includes structural repairs, conservation of historic elements and essential upgrades to make the site usable. Completion is expected in 2025. A third, yet-to-befunded phase will establish a cultural centre and museum, breathing new life into this historic institution. However, this phase is now in jeopardy following changes in US funding policy. FUNDING CHALLENGES Despite its longstanding success, the WMF is currently facing new challenges as shifting budget priorities in Washington impact its funding. Over the past two decades, WMF has received more than $25 million in US government grants, supporting projects that align with American cultural diplomacy. These grants make up 10 to 15 per cent of WMF’s annual project spending. The recent cuts have resulted in the termination of seven grants, representing nearly half of its current government funding. This loss of funding directly affects critical conservation efforts in Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Ukraine. Without immediate alternative funding, projects like Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone will be left unfinished, jeopardising both the historic structures and the local communities who rely on them for employment and cultural continuity. It’s not just about the buildings; WMF projects build community resilience and strengthen social cohesion, create economic opportunities and provide essential training. AUTHORS: This article was prepared by the editorial team with the help of WMF and the architect responsible for Debra Tsion, Fkereselase Sifir. Fourah Bay College, Freetown as seen in an early 1930s postcard (Photo: Collection Hofstra, African Studies Centre, Leiden, Flickr CC BY-SA 4.0) One of the more famous pupils of Fourah Bay College, Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809 –1891), depicted in a 1950s stained glass window in St Mark’s, Bromley. (Photo: Granpic, Flickr CC BY 2.0)
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