Elmer P. Martin Jr. facts for kids

Elmer P. Martin Jr. (born October 31, 1946 – died 2001) was an African-American professor and museum leader. He was known for creating the first wax museum dedicated to black history. This special museum, called Great Blacks In Wax, is located in Baltimore.

Early Life and Career

Elmer P. Martin Jr. was a professor at Morgan State University. He taught sociology there for over 25 years. He was also a professor of Social Work. Dr. Martin believed in teaching important history in new and exciting ways.

The Great Blacks In Wax Museum

Elmer Martin and his wife, Joanne, had a big dream. They wanted to create a place where people, especially kids, could learn about black history in a fun way. Their idea came after they visited a wax museum while on vacation in Florida.

On July 9, 1983, they opened the Great Blacks In Wax in Baltimore. At first, the museum had only four wax figures. These figures were of important historical people: Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Harriet Tubman, and Nat Turner. The Martins had the heads of the figures specially made. They used old store mannequins for the bodies.

Why the Museum Was Important

Elmer Martin wanted to make history exciting for young people. He and his wife wanted their children, and all children, to feel proud of their heritage. The museum shows many different African-American heroes. You can see figures of former slaves, doctors, lawyers, and even business leaders.

The Martins made sure to keep the number of athletes and entertainers low. They believed that kids already knew a lot about those famous people. They wanted to show that black men and women have achieved great things in many other fields too. Over the years, the museum grew and improved. It received a lot of support to keep updating its exhibits.

Legacy and Family

Elmer Martin passed away in June 2001. He had a heart attack while traveling in Egypt with his wife, doing research for the museum. His wife, Joanne, continues to run the museum today. She says that his vision and hard work are the reasons for the museum's success. It continues to teach young African Americans about their rich history.

Dr. Elmer Martin had two daughters, Bertina Martin-Wilson and Lisa Martin. He also had two grandchildren, Brittnae' Wilson and Kevin Wilson.