Use Your Voice!
Note: If you using a mobile device, you may have to reload the page to see all ten artifacts.
This year's program is proudly supported by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) in partnership with VAM. The generous support from the VMHC allows VAM the opportunity to more meaningfully support member institutions and their submitted, endangered artifacts for conservation.
Vote for your artifact! We're asking YOU to help us pick the most deserving artifact for conservation. Our Selection Committee selected the top 10 nominees across the state of Virginia and D.C. Now, use your VOICE to cast your vote.
Honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Virginia Association of Museums Annual Conference.
About the Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program: Museums, archives, libraries, historical societies, and other collecting organizations in Virginia and Washington, DC submit nominations of endangered artifacts that share the stories, accomplishments, and struggles of the Commonwealth’s history and culture for consideration of selection as an honoree of the 2026 Top 10 Program. VAM’s Top Ten Endangered Artifacts Program has been nationally recognized and replicated by other states while helping more than 200 organizations. The annual top ten list creates a greater awareness of the important and diverse stories told through these rare treasures.
- You can vote once per day until February 20, 2026 (by 11:59 PM EST).
- The artifact that receives the most votes in the online voting competition will receive the People’s Choice Award
- Following the voting competition, the Selection Committee will bestow one Juried Award to the item deemed most deserving. The remaining eight organizations will receive awards for conservation and/or for use of professional development training.
- All Top 10 Honorees will be recognized at the Inaugural Virginia Top 10 Endangered Artifacts Reception, Thursday, January 29 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
- All Top 10 Honorees will be recognized at the 2026 VAM Annual Conference at Colonial Williamsburg, March 14-17, 2026.
The following grant awards will be announced at the VAM 2026 conference:
- Juried Award (Reviewed by museum practitioner committee) - $1500.00
- People's Choice Award - $1500.00
- The remaining eight nominees will be awarded $500.00 each
Click here to vote!
Read More about our Top Ten Finalists Below...
