He was a professor of Social Work at Morgan State University. Prior to becoming the chairman, Martin taught sociology at the university for more than 25 years. He was also the creator of the first wax museum dedicated to black history, Great Blacks In Wax in the inner city of Baltimore. Martin and his wife Joanne opened the museum on July 9, 1983, with only four wax figures: Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Harriet Tubman, and Nat Turner. They had the heads of the figures made for them, and used old department store mannequins for the bodies. The couple was inspired to open the museum after they visited a wax museum while on vacation in Florida. Elmer Martin wanted to teach about black history in a way that would grab kids' attention. He and his wife wanted for their kids to have a sense of pride and history for their heritage. The wax figures in the museum include everything from former slaves to doctors, lawyers, and businessmen.
The museum also includes a graphic scene of a man being lynched, a controversial scene to many. Elmer Martin, however, believed that it is necessary for the children to see what other historical figures had to overcome, to fully understand how great their accomplishments were. The Martins did, nevertheless, try to keep the number of athletes and entertainers on display to a minimum. They believe children know enough about those, and they need to know that there are black men and women who accomplished more. Over the years the couple received more than $300,000 in grants to renovate and update the museum, and it is still growing. Martin died of a heart attack in June 2001 while he and his wife were on a trip to Egypt doing research. His wife still runs the museum, and credits his vision for all of its success, and for teaching young African American children about their history.
Martin had two children: Daughters- Bertina Martin-Wilson, and Lisa Martin; 2 grandchildren: Brittnae' Wilson and Kevin Wilson.[citation needed]
Referencesedit
City Paper – February 18, 2004 – Breaking the Mold – As African-American Museums Boom, Great Blacks in Wax Keeps Showing and Telling Black History on its Own Terms
The New York Times, December 28, 1988 – Wax Figures in Black Cut Chains of Stereotypes
U.S. House of Representative - Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (06/30/01 Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper) "Strong Men with a Calling to Heal"
elmer, martin, october, 1946, 2001, african, american, sociologist, museum, executive, professor, social, work, morgan, state, university, prior, becoming, chairman, martin, taught, sociology, university, more, than, years, also, creator, first, museum, dedica. Elmer P Martin Jr October 31 1946 2001 was an African American sociologist and museum executive He was a professor of Social Work at Morgan State University Prior to becoming the chairman Martin taught sociology at the university for more than 25 years He was also the creator of the first wax museum dedicated to black history Great Blacks In Wax in the inner city of Baltimore Martin and his wife Joanne opened the museum on July 9 1983 with only four wax figures Frederick Douglass Mary McLeod Bethune Harriet Tubman and Nat Turner They had the heads of the figures made for them and used old department store mannequins for the bodies The couple was inspired to open the museum after they visited a wax museum while on vacation in Florida Elmer Martin wanted to teach about black history in a way that would grab kids attention He and his wife wanted for their kids to have a sense of pride and history for their heritage The wax figures in the museum include everything from former slaves to doctors lawyers and businessmen The museum also includes a graphic scene of a man being lynched a controversial scene to many Elmer Martin however believed that it is necessary for the children to see what other historical figures had to overcome to fully understand how great their accomplishments were The Martins did nevertheless try to keep the number of athletes and entertainers on display to a minimum They believe children know enough about those and they need to know that there are black men and women who accomplished more Over the years the couple received more than 300 000 in grants to renovate and update the museum and it is still growing Martin died of a heart attack in June 2001 while he and his wife were on a trip to Egypt doing research His wife still runs the museum and credits his vision for all of its success and for teaching young African American children about their history Martin had two children Daughters Bertina Martin Wilson and Lisa Martin 2 grandchildren Brittnae Wilson and Kevin Wilson citation needed References editCity Paper February 18 2004 Breaking the Mold As African American Museums Boom Great Blacks in Wax Keeps Showing and Telling Black History on its Own Terms The New York Times December 28 1988 Wax Figures in Black Cut Chains of Stereotypes U S House of Representative Congressman Elijah E Cummings 06 30 01 Baltimore AFRO American Newspaper Strong Men with a Calling to Heal External links edit America s First Black Wax Museum Interview with Elmer P Martin about the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum from KUT s In Black America series on the American Archive of Public Broadcasting December 1 1984 nbsp nbsp This biography of an American sociologist is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Elmer P Martin Jr amp oldid 1155385918, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
