This summer, Vandenberg sponsored a group of 15 volunteers to come to New York City and join Preservation Volunteers in its 8th year of operations. Founded in 1999 by preservationists Everett Ortner and Dexter Guerrieri, Preservation Volunteers is a non-profit organization that provides volunteers around the world to restore historical structures, thus rejuvenating a piece of history and revitalizing a community.

From one-room schoolhouses in Colorado mining towns to 12th century churches in the heart of France, Preservation Volunteers provides volunteers to work with that community’s own volunteers, contractors and craftsmen in a partnered effort of restoration. In addition, through an agreement with REMPART, French volunteers often work on American projects while Americans travel to France. Even language barriers fall to the wayside as people come together, focusing one heart and mind on breathing new life into structures that represent our walk through time.

This summer our volenteers worked at the beautiful old Green-Wood Cemetery (established 1834), where they contined work that volunteers were involved in last year, as well as the Historic House Trust, which manages many historic New York structures.

Below you will find some pictures from the volunteer’s “last night” cocktail party. The party was hosted by Vandenberg as well as Everett at his carefully-preserved townhouse with museum-quality details. A great time was had by all!