Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Society founded in England in 1877 by William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, John Ruskin, and other distinguished men interested in art and letters. At first their energy was directed to checking the custom of restoration of ancient buildings, and particularly of churches, for at that time a reproduction of what was thought or known to have existed was held to be of greater value than the damaged original. As years have passed, the society has become more and more one which is consulted by architects, public bodies, and individuals for advice on the preservation of old buildings.