Nabb Center Celebrates African-American History Figurines

SALISBURY, MD---The Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture presents the exhibit “African-American History in Figurine” as part of Salisbury University’s African-American History Month celebration February 1-May 31.

Dr. Clara Small, SU professor of history, loaning the figurines from her personal collection, began collecting these representations of African-Americans to use as visual aids in academic presentations. Each represents an important moment or person in African-American history.

“It really helps when people can put a face with history,” she said. “The figurines help them understand the significance of these individuals. It’s show and tell.”

Her favorites include Underground Railroad engineer Harriet Tubman and Ida B. Wells, abolitionist newspaper editor and founder of the Women’s Era Club, the first African-American women’s civic organization. She also was a member of the Committee of 40, the organization that founded the NAACP.

Small has published several papers on African-American history, including Abolitionists, Free Blacks, and Runaway Slaves, which was featured in the book A History of African-Americans on Maryland’s and Delaware’s Eastern Shore. She researches Eastern Shore African-American history using oral history, official documents and other sources. Small also serves on the Maryland Governor’s Task Force on Slavery. The Nabb Research Center is located in room 190 of the Power Professional Center at Wayne and Power streets. Admission to the exhibit is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6312 or visit the Nabb Center Web site at nabbhistory.salisbury.edu. "