Five Minute Histories: The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is the first wax museum in America dedicated to telling Black history. In the early 1980s, Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin began it out of the trunk of their car. The museum eventually found space on North Ave and just celebrated its 40th anniversary. We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Joanne Martin to tell us about the history of this institution and its exciting plans for the future. Thanks for watching and see you next week with another video!
This is our series called "Five Minute Histories." Every week, we’ll record a short video about a different historic place in Baltimore and post it on our Facebook page and TH-cam channel.
#baltimore #fiveminhist #Blackhistory #museum #waxmuseum

[@rubydawnintl]

Visited with my family. Very memorable educational and emotional experience.

[@marilynsue4273]

This is my favorite museum in the USA.

[@NationalGreatBlacksInWaxMuseum]

Thank you for coming!

[@TracyBEBLESSEDSAINTSMabinton]

It would be nice to add wax figures of the different successful black towns back in the 1920s. Not the whole town. But the vital part of the city. A church. A house, or a Black miniature business. For instance, “ Black Wall street.” Tulsa Oklahoma. “ Oberlin” “Mound Bayou. Etc. Great video.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Great idea!

[@taylorcorporal9919]

I'm not sure if this tradition still happens, but Morgan State's 1st year students would take a field trip every year during orientation week. I visited for the first time in August of 2015 with my class despite being a Baltimore native who had always known of the museum's existence. It was very eye opening. I'm excited to hear about the plans for expansion and can't wait to stop by again.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

That's a great tradition!

[@aprilsmith8933]

I love that they are committed to staying in that area. But, I would hope that they would keep that charming fire house and the wonderful row house fronts. Real Baltimore

[@technologystation6529]

Thank you for this relevant part of my history as a Black in America. I appreciate your endeavors!

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thanks for watching!

[@donnah5378]

Nice 👍🏾

[@rosalynarrington6818]

Thank you so much 😊

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thanks!

[@wilshade]

Thank you for reminding me about this place. I've known about it a long time. But shamefully, I had forgotten about it. Checking out their website pronto.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Awesome!

[@skqq3250]

I had my wedding there. So glad you have finally gotten around to visiting the Great Blacks in Wax. They didn’t do my reception part well as they weren’t allowing my guests to “go through the museum” while the table were set up for eating. SMH.

[@turhanriddick]

great video

[@UncleSam-USofA]

Wonderful segment.

[@michelehumphrey852]

I had never heard of this. Thanks for sharing.

[@wooderdsaunders7429]

How did they keep the wax figures from melting in the car?

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

This is such a good question!

[@bentleyjames4617]

I remember when that museum open