Onera Foundation

Founded in 2018 by David B. Peterson, the Onera Foundation believes that historic and significant American architecture is a vital part of the nation’s culture, worth protecting in the same way we do for other national treasures. The Onera Foundation advocates for the preservation of historic American architecture by funding exhibitions and innovative programming, including art and film, that deepen the public’s understanding of America’s significant, historic architecture. The Foundation also supports education by funding the Onera Prize at Columbia University – an annual $25,000 prize that supports students graduating from the M.S. Historic Preservation program to test new preservation theories and technologies in practice. The Onera Foundation’s landmarked building in New Canaan, CT, hosts exhibitions, lectures and other public programming to highlight the importance of historic preservation and significant architecture.