RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The public has its say this week on Virginia's top 10 endangered artifacts.

The program sponsored by the Virginia Association of Museums is designed to create awareness of the importance of preserving artifacts throughout the state and at museums and archives in the District of Columbia. Collecting institutions have already entered their nominations for the top 10.

They include the records of an African-American midwife at the Salem Museum, a spinet piano of Virginia Gov. James Barbour at the executive mansion in Richmond, George Washington's Revolutionary War camp stool at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden in the district, and a horse-drawn rock wagon at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park in Tazewell.

Public voting on the artifacts begins Wednesday.

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Online: www.vatop10artifacts.org