Great Blacks in Wax Museum
1601 East North Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21213
(410)563-6415
The Great Blacks in Wax Museum is the first and only of its kind. The museum presents wax figures of prominent African-Americans in chronological order and in tableaus such as the Maryland room exhibit. The museum contains statues of prominent individuals such as Marian Anderson, Jackie Robinson, Henry "Box" Brown and Mary McLeod Bethune.
To the left is a picture of Tamara Giles visiting the exibit that focuses on segregation.
To the right is a picture taken at the Great Blacks in Wax Museum of the Henry "Box" Brown statue.
Frederick Douglass Statue
Morgan State University
Hillen Rd. and Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, Md. 21239
On the campus of Morgan State University, a statue was comissioned to honor the Great Orator, Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was a politician, abolitionist and one of the most prominent African- Americans of his time. The staue stands approximately four and a half feet tall. The picture of the statue was taken by K. Giles.
Sharp Street United Methodist Church
1206 Etting Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
(410)523-7200
Sharp Street United Methodist Church was founded in 1802. The congregation decends from the first African-American congregation in Baltimore. The church is known as the "Mother Church" of Black Methodism in Maryland.
To the right is a picture of Sharp Street United Methodist by K. Giles.
Billie Holiday StatueThe City of Baltimore erected a statue to honor the life and accomplishments of one its greatest natives: Billie Holiday. Although Holiday's life was plagued with family, drug, and alcohol problems, she grew to be one of the greatest jazz singers of her time.
To the left is a picture of the Billlie Holiday statue by K. Giles.
In Baltimore city a statue stands to honor one of the greatest lawyers in American history: Thurgood Marshall. Marshall was born and raised in Baltimore. He also worked there for a number of years. Marshall would grow from working on cases in his local area to becoming United States Solicitor General. Thurgood Marshall's greatest achievement attaining the rank of the first African- American Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
Maryland Historical Society and Library
201 W. Monument St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
(410) 685-3750
The Maryland Historical Society and Library does not contain an extensive African- American collection. It does, however contain paintings by the late Joshua Johnston (Johnson). Johnston was the first nationally recognized African- American portrait painter. He was active in Baltimore between 1796 and 1824. Although about two dozen of his paintings survive, the Maryland Historical society is lucky enough to own two of them. Within the Society's Martime Museum is a tribute to Isaac Myers. Myers was a free African- American born in 1835. He founded the Black labor Union and in 1866 opened the Chesapeake Marine and Dry- dock Company in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Orchard Street Church
512 Orchard St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410)523-8150
Orchard Street United Methodist Church was founded in 1825 by Truman Le Pratt, a former slave of Governor John Eager Howard. In the early years, the congregation met at Le Pratt's Orchard Street home to hold prayer meetings. Since this gathering was the only place of worship for African-Americans on the community, the congregation grew quickly. The congregation decided to build a church since, they were outgrowing Le Pratt's home. In 1837, Orchard Street United Methodist Church or Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal as the church was called then, was built. According to local legend, the church served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Orchard Street United Methodist Church now houses the offices of the Baltimore Urban League and is the oldest standing structure built by African-Americans in the city of Baltimore.
St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church
North Fremount Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
(410)728-2033
St. Peter Roman Catholic Church was established in 1888. It was the first parish in the world dedeicated to Saint Peter Claver, the "Apostle for Slaves." The church-run school, which is the oldest private African-American school in the state is still in existance today.
