The US National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated the American Legation site in Tangier in its annual list of America’s 11 most endangered historic places for 2024, as announced at the US State Department headquarters in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.
Speaking at a ceremony attended by a number of Moroccan and US diplomats, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, said that the American Legation in Tangier is a “powerful symbol of the longstanding ties between the United States and Morocco.”
The American Legation is unique as the only U.S. national historical monument sited in a foreign country. Granted to the United States in 1821 by Sultan Moulay Slimane, the Legation served as the official seat of American diplomacy in Morocco for decades. Its museum and Institute for Moroccan Studies (known as TALIM) now serve as a vibrant cultural center in Tangier.
The American official noted that including the American Legation on the list will help mobilize the necessary funding to preserve it “for future generations of Americans, Moroccans, and visitors from around the world.”
Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States Youssef Amrani stated that the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving this iconic site reflects “the unique, deep, and historical relationship” between the two countries.”
The American Legation “embodies the values” of openness, coexistence, and dialogue shared by both countries,” the Moroccan official said. As the only U.S. national historical monument outside of the US, this is “an institution that not only reflects the depth of our rich history, but also actively contributes to the vibrant cultural scene in the old medina of Tangier.”
“To this day, we continue to share the longest unbroken friendship treaty of the United States, and our alliance continues to strengthen over time, thanks to leadership and constant commitment to a strategic partnership,” Amrani said.
During the ceremony, Andrea Cochrane Tracey, the Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Fund for the Preservation of Diplomatic Treasures Abroad, announced a fundraising goal of $10 million for the restoration and preservation of the American Legation in Tangier. She noted that Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States in 1777.
Carol Quillen, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the principal American institution for heritage protection, also noted that the site reflects the United States and Morocco’s deep ties.
In a video message, Ambassador William H. Moser, the Director of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Operations, highlighted the importance of funding the preservation of this “symbolically rich” place.
U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Puneet Talwar discussed the strong multidimensional partnership between the two countries, noting that Morocco is the only African country that has a free trade agreement with the US.
The building housing the American Legation in Tangier is located at the heart of the old medina of Tangier. Negotiations for the Treaty of Cap Spartel, one of the first international agreements signed by the US, as well as other agreements with Morocco to facilitate navigation and trade, were conducted at this historical site.