National Great Blacks In Wax Museum facts for kids

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is a special wax museum located in Baltimore, Maryland. It brings history to life with realistic wax figures of important African-American and other black historical figures. The museum first opened its doors in 1983. It started in a small storefront on Saratoga Street. Today, the museum is much larger. It is housed in a renovated firehouse, a beautiful Victorian mansion, and two old apartment buildings. This gives it almost 30,000 square feet of space for exhibits and offices.

Inside, you can see over 100 wax figures and scenes. These include a detailed model of a slave ship. This exhibit shows the 400-year story of the Atlantic Slave Trade. There's also a display about how young people have helped make history. Another room highlights the contributions of famous Marylanders to African American history. Dr. Joanne Martin, who helped start the museum, explains why this history is so important. She says that without understanding the past, everything else "seems like a movie."

The Museum's Journey: A Look at Its History

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum holds a special place in history. It was the very first wax museum in Baltimore. It was also the first museum in the United States to focus on African American history using wax figures. Dr. Elmer Martin and his wife, Dr. Joanne Martin, started the museum. They began with a simple idea and a lot of hard work.

The idea for "Blacks in Wax" began with just a few wax figures. These figures traveled to different 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 to keep the traveling exhibit going!

In 1983, the museum gained national attention. The founders received grants and loans to open a permanent exhibition. By 1988, the museum found its permanent home. It moved to the 1600 block of North Avenue in the Oliver neighborhood.

The main building was once a firehouse. It was carefully changed into the amazing showhouse you see today. In 2004, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the museum. They called it 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.

Meet the Heroes: People You Can See at the Museum

The museum features many incredible people who have made a difference in history. Here are some of the figures you might see:

More to Explore

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