Founded in 1983 and expanded in 1987 in an unused fire station, Victorian Mansion, and two former apartment dwellings to provide 30,000 square feet of space, it is the most remarkable museum of its type nationwide. This museum contains over 100 wax figures and scenes, a full model slave ship exhibit telling the 400 year history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, a room highlighting the contributions of outstanding Marylanders to African American history, a gift shop, and a mini auditorium for lectures, films, and presentations. All the lifelike displays are enhanced with special lighting, effects with particular attention to accuracy of skin color. Each display is presented chronologically from ancient Africa, the Middle Passage on a slave ship, Salve revolts, the Antebellum and Postbellum periods, Reconstruction Era, Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement to the present. Among the historic wax figures are The Queen of Sheba, Hannibal, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Colin Powell, Paul Robeson, Rosa Parks, Matthew Henson, Billie Holiday, Earl Graves, Howard Rollins and President Barack Obama.
ADMISSION: Adults $12, Age 12-17, Seniors & College Students w/ID $11, Age 3-11 $10
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
ADDRESS: 1601-03 East North Ave MAP
PARKING: street only
PHONE: 410-563-3404
WEBSITE: www.ngbiwm.com