Cultural Preservation | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/cultural-preservation/RSS feed for Cultural PreservationenThu, 03 Sep 2026 15:27:12 +0000A Signature Hawaiian Textile With a Rich History Is Making a Splash in the Fashion Worldhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-signature-hawaiian-textile-with-a-rich-history-is-making-a-splash-in-the-fashion-world-180989443/The blocky, plaid palaka design has evolved beyond its roots as simple workwear, crossing over ethnic and class lines as a symbol of local prideThu, 03 Sep 2026 15:27:12 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-signature-hawaiian-textile-with-a-rich-history-is-making-a-splash-in-the-fashion-world-180989443/A Frank Lloyd Wright House in L.A. Is in Danger of 'Demolition by Neglect,' Say Advocateshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-frank-lloyd-wright-house-in-la-is-in-danger-of-demolition-by-neglect-say-advocates-180989429/The visionary designed this two-bedroom, one-bathroom in his affordable Usonian style. It’s the only house of its kind in L.A.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:18:47 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-frank-lloyd-wright-house-in-la-is-in-danger-of-demolition-by-neglect-say-advocates-180989429/Historical Pollution, Not Current Industrial Emissions, Damaged the World's Largest and Oldest Collection of Ancient Rock Art, Study Suggestshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historical-pollution-not-current-industrial-emissions-damaged-worlds-largest-oldest-collection-ancient-rock-art-180989416/Researchers say that past exposure to sulfur dioxide is likely to blame for the increased porosity of the Murujuga rock art created by the Ngarda-Ngarli people tens of thousands of years agoFri, 28 Aug 2026 18:04:36 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historical-pollution-not-current-industrial-emissions-damaged-worlds-largest-oldest-collection-ancient-rock-art-180989416/1,800 Volunteers Pull a 400-Ton Japanese Castle Keep Back Toward Its Original Location After a Decade of Restoration Workhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1800-people-pull-a-400-ton-japanese-castle-keep-back-toward-its-original-location-after-a-decade-of-restoration-work-180989401/The chance to help move the castle keep drew thousands of applications from Japan and abroad. Groups of lottery winners took turns tugging on thick ropes attached to the massive structureThu, 27 Aug 2026 19:43:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1800-people-pull-a-400-ton-japanese-castle-keep-back-toward-its-original-location-after-a-decade-of-restoration-work-180989401/A Historic Alabama Hotel Linked to the Civil Rights Movement Is Falling Apart. Can the Conservationists Fighting to Save It Turn the Tide?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historic-alabama-hotel-linked-civil-rights-movement-is-falling-apart-can-conservationists-fighting-to-save-it-turn-the-tide-180989407/Selma's Edistone Hotel has witnessed pivotal chapters in American history, from Reconstruction to "Bloody Sunday." Now, after years of neglect and a recent wall collapse, the Conservation Fund is working to secure its futureThu, 27 Aug 2026 18:35:02 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historic-alabama-hotel-linked-civil-rights-movement-is-falling-apart-can-conservationists-fighting-to-save-it-turn-the-tide-180989407/Metal Detectorists Thought They'd Hit the Jackpot When They Discovered a Gold Bracelet Dating to the Bronze Age. Then They Dug Up Two Morehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/metal-detectorists-thought-theyd-hit-the-jackpot-when-they-discovered-gold-bracelet-dating-to-bronze-age-then-they-found-two-more-180989272/At first, Andy Crammond thought the object was a bull's nose ring. Other artifacts unearthed nearby include a Viking brooch, a Roman coin hoard and a Bronze Age ax headThu, 06 Aug 2026 17:39:55 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/metal-detectorists-thought-theyd-hit-the-jackpot-when-they-discovered-gold-bracelet-dating-to-bronze-age-then-they-found-two-more-180989272/A New Generation of Chefs Reimagines Indonesian Cuisine in the Netherlands to Tell the Stories of Its Originshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-new-generation-of-chefs-reimagines-indonesian-cuisine-in-the-netherlands-to-tell-the-stories-of-its-origins-180989221/The shift reflects a larger cultural moment, with chefs asking whether the cuisine should remain tied to colonial nostalgia or evolve into a reflection of modern Indonesian identityThu, 30 Jul 2026 15:27:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-new-generation-of-chefs-reimagines-indonesian-cuisine-in-the-netherlands-to-tell-the-stories-of-its-origins-180989221/A Metal Detectorist Discovered Tiny Tiles in a Farmer's Field. A Spectacular Ancient Roman Mosaic Was Buried Beneath the Surfacehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-metal-detectorist-discovered-tiny-tiles-in-a-farmers-field-a-spectacular-ancient-roman-mosaic-was-buried-beneath-the-surface-180989222/The polychrome mosaic once decorated a small room in a lavish villa complex. Researchers, students and volunteers have been working together to excavate the rare site in southwestern EnglandWed, 29 Jul 2026 17:27:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-metal-detectorist-discovered-tiny-tiles-in-a-farmers-field-a-spectacular-ancient-roman-mosaic-was-buried-beneath-the-surface-180989222/Before Cultural and Natural Wonders Earn UNESCO World Heritage Status, They Are Put on a 'Tentative' List. Here Are Five Nominees Worth Visiting Nowhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/before-cultural-and-natural-wonders-earn-unesco-world-heritage-status-they-are-put-on-a-tentative-list-here-are-five-nominees-worth-visiting-now-180989155/Featuring more than 1,800 sites from 181 countries and territories, UNESCO’s tentative list is a treasure trove of lesser-known marvelsThu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/before-cultural-and-natural-wonders-earn-unesco-world-heritage-status-they-are-put-on-a-tentative-list-here-are-five-nominees-worth-visiting-now-180989155/