Vote for top endangered artifacts in Virginia

January 16–20, 2021 @ Southwest Virginia Museum

BIG STONE GAP, Va. — The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park announces that the Jessie Reasor Zander Collection, circa 20th century has been selected as one of the 2021 Honorees of the Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts, sponsored by the Virginia Association of Museums.

The Jessie Reasor Zander Collection is composed of photographs and documents chronicling the African American experience in Wise County, Virginia, from the early 20th century through 2010. Zander was born in the tiny coal mining community of Inman, Virginia, and went on to become the first African American to graduate from Berea College, in 1954. She has since gone on to become a prominent teacher, poet and community leader. The collection, accumulated over decades by Zander, includes photographsand memorabilia from schools and churches that tell the story of an Appalachian African American community literally from birth until death.

The public is invited to vote daily for their favorite Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifact in an online voting competition Jan. 11-20. The artifact receiving the most votes during this 10-day competition will be recognized as the People’s Choice Awards and receive $1,000 respectively to conserve their artifacts and care for their continued preservation. Remaining honorees will be eligible for other monetary awards provided by the selection committee. This funding is made possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and Blandford Rees Foundation.

Learn more and vote online at https://www.vamuseums.org/vote-for-virginias-top-10-endangered-artifacts.

Category: Exhibits

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