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Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
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Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

British organization
Also known as: Anti-Scrape, SPAB
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The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), nicknamed "Anti-Scrape," was founded in 1877 by William Morris and other conservationists. This British organization vehemently opposed the indiscriminate refacing of old stonework and the fashionable "conjectural restorations" of historic buildings. The SPAB's founding was a response to the growing industrialization and a new appreciation for craftsmanship, with figures like John Ruskin asserting that a building's age was its greatest glory. The movement gained momentum, influencing global efforts in architectural conservation.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. art conservation and restoration - Role of law
  2. art conservation and restoration - Techniques of building conservation

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