National Great Blacks In Wax Museum facts for kids

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a special museum in Baltimore, Maryland. It shows important African-American and other Black historical figures using realistic wax statues. The museum first opened its doors in 1983. It started in a small shop on Saratoga Street.

Today, the museum is much bigger. It is located at 1601 East North Avenue. The museum uses an old firehouse, a large Victorian house, and two apartment buildings. This gives it almost 30,000 square feet (about 2,787 square meters) for exhibits and offices.

The museum has over 100 wax figures and detailed scenes. One exhibit shows a full model of a slave ship. It teaches about the 400-year history of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Another exhibit highlights how young people have helped make history. There is also a special Maryland room. It celebrates important Marylanders who contributed to African American history. Dr. Joanne Martin, who helped start the museum, explained why this history is so important. She said that without understanding the past, "everything else, it seems like a movie."

History of the Museum

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum was the first wax museum in Baltimore. It was also the first wax museum in the United States to focus on African American history. Dr. Elmer Martin and his wife, Dr. Joanne Martin, started the museum. They began it as a local, community effort.

The idea for "Blacks in Wax" began with a few wax figures. These figures were taken to schools, community centers, and shopping malls. In the beginning, Dr. Elmer Martin and Dr. Joanne Martin paid for everything themselves. They also relied on donations from the community. At one point, Dr. Elmer Martin even asked his wife to sell her wedding ring. This was to keep the traveling exhibit going.

In 1983, the museum gained national attention. The founders received grants, loans, and donations. This allowed them to open a permanent museum. By 1988, the "Blacks in Wax" museum found its lasting home. It moved to the 1600 block of North Avenue in the Oliver neighborhood.

The building used to be a firehouse. It was changed into a museum space. In 2004, the museum received a special honor. The U.S. Congress recognized it as the "Nation's first wax museum presenting the history of great Black Americans." After this, it became known as The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

Important People Featured

The museum displays wax figures of many important people. Here are some of the figures you can see:

See also

• African Americans in Baltimore
• List of museums focused on African Americans