The devastating fire that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019 destroyed beloved parts of that iconic structure, including the timber roof framework and crossing spire. But other crucial elements survived miraculously intact.

Restoration is proving to be a long, complicated, and contentious process as French officials, preservation specialists, structural engineers, and art and architectural historians decide how to rebuild. Should the destroyed “forest” of timbers from the roof be recreated in wood, or are modern materials a better choice? Should the lead roof covering, which in the aftermath of the fire blanketed neighborhood streets with toxic residue, be restored or replaced? Should the 19th century reconstruction of the cathedral’s sculpture and architecture be restored or should it be re-evaluated?

The rebuilding of Notre Dame is posing hard questions of historic preservation and revealing strong opinions about what constitutes a proper reconstruction of this iconic cathedral. 

Judy Scott Feldman is an art historian and native Washingtonian.  An educator for over 40 years, Judy is a frequent lecturer on the history of art and architecture for the Smithsonian Associates, the Johns Hopkins Osher program, Oasis, as well as civic groups. She formerly taught at the University of Dallas (1980s) and at American University (1990s).  Judy is a founding member and chair of the National Mall Coalition, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that advocates comprehensive visionary planning for the Mall in Washington DC. The Coalition works to ensure the vitality, beauty, and continued active role of this stage for Democracy in the capital and in American life.  

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