The Virginia Association of Museums announced the 14th anniversary of its successful Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program.
The program allows the public and museums to participate in preserving artifacts of cultural importance and has benefited more than 200 institutions by highlighting the importance of Virginia museums and the expense and expertise necessary to preserve the unique historic items in their care.
What began as a project of VAM’s 2011-2013 Virginia Collections Initiative, supported by federal grant funding of the Institute of Museum & Library Services, has grown to create greater public awareness of more than 200 organizations across the Commonwealth and Washington, D.C. Committed to directly supporting museum members, VAM expanded the program in 2017 to offer direct financial awards to support the ongoing stewardship of Virginia’s history and culture.
VAM’s “VA’s Top 10” program has become a noted example of creative outreach for the museum community, has been replicated in other states and recognized by the state chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
After a competitive review, the Top Ten list includes artifacts from Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum, Pamunkey Indian Museum and Cultural Center, Wilderness Road Regional Museum, Manassas Museum, Workhouse Arts Center – Lucy Burns Museum, Office of Historic Alexandria, Christiansburg Institute, Inc., MacArthur Memorial, Patrick Henry’s Red Hill and Stratford Hall Historic Preserve.
VAM is committed to make a difference in preserving Virginia‘s cultural heritage for future generations.