Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
Also known as: SPAB
- 1The society was founded in 1877 by William Morris and Philip Webb.
- 2It was created to oppose the destructive restoration of historic buildings.
- 3The organization uses the term ancient to refer to a broad range of historic architecture.
- 4It is recognized as a leading amenity society in the United Kingdom.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is an amenity society founded by William Morris, Philip Webb, and others in 1877 to oppose the destructive 'restoration' of ancient buildings occurring in Victorian England.
Connections1
preservationist organization founded by Morris
Morris founded this society in 1877 to oppose the destructive 'restoration' of medieval buildings, marking the beginning of modern historic preservation movements.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is an amenity society established in 1877 to safeguard historic structures. It was founded by William Morris, Philip Webb, and other concerned individuals in response to the aggressive and often destructive restoration practices common in Victorian England.
Portrait of William Morris, founder of SPAB, by William Blake RichmondWikimedia Commons: File:William_Morris_by_Sir_William_Blake_Richmond.jpg The society advocates for the preservation of buildings in their authentic state, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the physical history of structures rather than replacing or modernizing them. The term ancient is used by the society in a broad sense, encompassing a wide range of historic architecture rather than being limited to pre-medieval sites. The organization continues to play a vital role in heritage conservation.