Virginia's Executive Mansion's Spinet Piano Nominated as one of the "Top 10 Endangered Artifacts in Virginia"
RICHMOND - The Virginia Association of Museums has announced a contest involving "Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts." From now until August 29, 2012, individuals around the Commonwealth will be able to vote online for a selection of various historic items in an effort to "create awareness of the importance of preserving artifacts in care at museums, libraries and archives throughout the commonwealth and in the District of Columbia."
The Executive Mansion is especially excited to be involved, as one of its prized possessions has been nominated: the 1830s Spinet Piano owned by Governor James Barbour, displayed in the Ladies Parlor. Governor Barbour was the 18th governor of Virginia, but was the first of fifty-four governors to live in the Executive Mansion. Since his administration, original furniture to the Mansion has been lost to years of redecorating, improvements, and even auctions in the mid 1800s. The Spinet Piano's importance is understood as it is one of only three items at the Executive Mansion that previously belonged to a Virginia governor.
Having the opportunity to showcase various irreplaceable artifacts is exciting for Virginia's Executive Mansion and other historic sites in Virginia. The voting process will continue throughout August and will result in a list of Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts.
Tours of Virginia's Executive Mansion are free and available year-round. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit http://www.executivemansion.virginia.gov/Tours/
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