About French Heritage Society French Heritage Society is an American non-profit association founded in 1982. For over 30 years it has fulfilled its three missions to: preserve the French heritage in France and the United States by awarding restoration grants; perpetuate savoirfaire, knowledge and love of heritage through exchanges of architects and students between the two countries; and nurture Franco-American friendship and a better understanding of both cultures. Its actions are possible thanks to the generosity of its members, patrons, companies, and foundations. Through its fund-raising activities French Heritage Society focuses on preserving the French architectural heritage both in France and the United States. It has participated in more than 500 restoration projects of châteaux, churches, historic buildings, plantations, parks and gardens in regions throughout France and the United States for French inspired projects, for more than $ 17.5 million including matching funds. It intervenes after natural disasters to save endangered heritage: in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, South Carolina; the 1993 Mississippi flood; the 1999 storms in France, and in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
French Heritage Society’s Student Exchange Program promotes intercultural exchanges between France and the United States to ensure the transmission of savoir-faire and heritage appreciation. For French Heritage Society historic preservation is inseparable from the training of the younger generation in preservation techniques and awareness of the concepts and evolution in the preservation world. French Heritage Society has developed these exchanges thanks to its collaboration with prestigious universities and schools, renowned museums, monuments, châteaux and private gardens on both sides of the Atlantic. French Heritage Society also organizes educational programs for architects and craftsmen specializing in heritage preservation, seminars for collectors and curators and cultural trips for its American and French members. French Heritage Society allows its members to discover the French heritage through the publication of its magazine Au Courant and promotes the French heritage through the publication of two books : Château Cuisine in 1992 and French America 2004.
The association consists of 14 Chapters, 13 United States: Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Napa Valley / Sonoma, Louisiana, New York, Northern California, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Santa Barbara, Southern California Regional Washington and one in Paris. It is the sole representative in the US for the three major private French associations for historic preservation : Le Comité des Parcs et Jardins de France, La Demeure Historique and Les Vieilles Maisons Françaises, and works in partnership with The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Architectural Foundation.
In December 2010, French Heritage Society received the distinction of Grand Patron of Culture by the French Ministry of Culture and Communications in recognition of the association’s excellent work which is appreciated by its members, sponsors, and government and diplomatic representatives in France and the United States. For more information please visit : www.frenchheritagesociety.org
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