Miss Washino’s Wax Museum 

56 pts 
 
Instructions: ​You will be picking a historical figure from the G
​ ilded Age and 
Progressive era​ to complete a r​ esearch project o ​ n.  

- The project will include a ​written poster board​ of the facts and 
achievements of your assigned historical figure.   

- The project also requires you to dress up and become a w

​ ax figure​ of your 
historical figure.  

- You will present your poster and Wax Figure Replica on the final presentation 
day of:  

- A Day (Wednesday December 3rd and 5th) B Day (December 4th 

and 6th) 

Directions for Poster: ​(41 pts) 

The poster project consists of 3 written parts (​ The written portions must be typed, 
printed, and pasted onto your poster in MLA Format​)​:   

1. Who am I and Where I’m From: Autobiographical Background ​(16pts) 

a. Timeline​: You will need to create a basic timeline of your figures life 
that includes the following 
i. Time and place of birth,  
ii. Milestones and or major achievements of persons life,  
iii. Time and place of death 
b. Autobiographical Background: (​3 paragraphs) This written portion 
requires you to write the historical background of your figure in f​ irst 
person format (​ I/Me, as if you were writing from your figures 
perspective) 
i. Paragraph 1 Origins​: where and when the person was born 
a. The individuals immigration story (their personal 
story of immigration or how their family 
immigrated) * if you can’t find information move on 
 to childhood.  
b. Childhood history, education, and family life 
ii. Paragraph 2 Adult life​: major milestones, accomplishments, or 
tragedies that occured 
a. if they had any college education, their previous job 
occupations, or major events in life 
(Marriage/Divorce, children, tragedy etc) 

iii. Paragraph 3 End of life​: events leading up to the end of your 

figures life and how they passed.  

2. Major Accomplishments: Is your figure Famous or Infamous? ​(5pts) 

a. Portrait or Image: Y ​ ou will need to include an image or portrait of 

your figure ​that will directly represent how you portray your wax 
figure 

b. Major Accomplishments: (​ 1-2 Paragraphs) 

i. Major Achievements: W ​ hat your figure accomplished in their 

adult life and if they were famous or infamous actions: 
inventions, discoveries, crimes etc 

ii. Impact on Society:​ What this person’s actions had on society at 
the time. The consequences of their actions, both negative and 
positive.  

3. Legend and Legacy, Hero or Villain: “The Memorial” (​ 15pts)  

a. Memorial Photo: ​Image of figure that would be put on display at a 

funeral or memorial 

b. Description of Legacy (​ 3 paragraphs): Based on all of the information 

you have gathered you will choose to write an ​argumentative essay 
on whether or not your figure was a ​hero or villain 

i. Paragraph 1​: This is your intro paragraph where you introduce 

your thesis statement on whether or not you believe your figure 
was a hero or villain 

ii. Paragraph 2: You will need to prove your argument using 

evidence based claims. Pick three pieces of evidence to support 
your argument. Also present 1 or 2 counter arguments against 
 your claim  

iii. Paragraph 3: Summarize your main points and argument and 

describe what you believe is the lasting legacy or impact that 
this figure has in the United States 

4. Artwork and Decoration ​(5pt)  

a. Make your poster colorful and creative!  

Directions for Wax Figure: (​ 10pts) 

- On the final Presentation Day, (​A Day Wednesday December 3rd and 5th, 
B Day December 4th and 6th) ​you will need to come dressed up as your 
historical figure 

- The reference for your historical figure image should be reflective of a 

picture used in your poster project 

- You will stand completely still as if you were a wax figure as half of the class 
goes around and takes notes on different wax figures 

- The costume can be as detailed as you want! If you need help finding items 
for your costume let me know! 
 -  

Bibliography (​ 5pts) 
On the back of your poster in MLA format I would like a Bibliography of all of the 
sources you used for your research project! 

Timeline of Due Dates (preparation activities are grades separate 

from final project) 
-November 5th and 6th: Assignment of Historical Figure_________________ 

-November 7th and 8th: 3-5 resources​ _________________ 

- ​We are also going to assign presentation dates on this day 

-November 13 and 14th: Outline of written project G

​ raded (10pts)___________________ 

-November 26 and 27: Peer editing of Rough Draft G

​ raded (10 pts)___________________ 

-November 28 and 29: Last Check in before presentation. __________________ 

-December 3rd (A Day) December 4th (Bday): Due dates of Wax Museum Project 
(even if you are not presenting on those days) 

-​A Day (Wednesday December 3rd and 5th) B Day (December 4th and 6th) 
Final Presentation Day_____________________________