Scientists and field experts engaged in the preservation of monuments used Berlin's 750th anniversary as an occasion to exchange information and review their achievements. The history of the preservation of buildings and art monuments in downtown Berlin provided general information and details to the particularities of the preservation of monuments in Berlin within the framework of the history of the GDR. Much of the building effort in the GDR's capital is currently devoted to reconstructing and restoring museums. In addition, many building monuments are to be converted to museum-like spaces and opened to the general public. The lesson of our own history is that much of today's creativity derives from a careful preservation of the cultural heritage, the building sector included.