A coat belonging to Capt. Sally Tompkins, C.S.A., and owned by the Mathews County Historical Society, is among 25 nominees in the running for selection as one of Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts.

The Virginia Association of Museums started this program in 2011 and solicits votes for the “People’s Choice” award as most endangered artifact. It says the program raises awareness of the state’s treasures and that as a result, “Donors have come forth to assist with conservation support, people have volunteered their expertise for conservation, and museums have won grants to support conservation.”

To cast a vote for the Tompkins coat or another endangered artifact, visit www.vatop10artifacts.org. Voting  Voting ends Aug. 23.

Tompkins, a native of Mathews County, operated a private hospital in Richmond during the Civil War. Because of poor medical care, the Confederate government ordered private facilities closed. Tompkins appealed direct...