UNVEILING OF REVEREND NANCE WAX FIGURE/FASHION SHOW

Although they were based on more traditional models of exhibition openings, the Black World History Museum's public programs were unique in that the student interns' participation was the centerpiece of planning and presentation. As Ms. Conley explained, the main public program, the unveiling/fashion show, "was but one culminating event of the intern project." In preparation for this event, held in September, students conducted oral interviews, specifically of the Reverend Earl Nance, Jr. In addition, they composed reports on historical research to be used in relation to the exhibit and unveiling. As the unveiling was held off-site, interns helped to decorate the rented space, and they greeted visitors who attended the opening. The goal was for the students "to get a sense of what it is like to be involved with such a project from start to finish"-that is, from the conception and fabrication to completion.

The fashion show, as Ms. Conley reported, "was...coincidental to the unveiling." Conceived as a way to entice more people to attend the unveiling and support the museum, it acted as an extra incentive for members of the community. Although the clothing was not period clothing and did not correspond to the Nance exhibit per se, the fashion show was successful in realizing the museum's two goals for the public programming: helping community members understand the importance of saving artifacts, and showing the public what the museum does.