Black History Month: Dr. Clara Small’s Historical Figurine Exhibit

SALISBURY, Md. – Black History Month continues with our local legend. This time we’re talking to Dr. Clara Small, who has ‘figured’ out how to represent history in a unique way.

Figures as Figurines

Historian, cultural preservationist, author, activist, and professor emerita of Salisbury University Dr. Clara Small has decided to showcase her display of historical figures as figurines. “The goal is just to share information with people… I started collecting them I was going to conferences, and I began to like seeing these figurines, and I began to use them to talk to young people as well as adults to talk about history.”

Little People- Big Impact

It took over 25 years to acquire what she calls her “Little People”. 21 are currently on display, including well-known names like Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Small says there are others who’ve made contributions to the shore. “Many of them are local, have local significance such as Richard Allen, Absalon Jones, and others – Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Tubman… Ida B. Wells was a crusader for justice. She was one of the first individuals to speak out against lynchings.”

Our History

Dr. Small says the pieces came from all over the world including Africa, and says she took the time to write out each description. She hopes her “little people” can make a big impact because in the words of Dr. Small, “Black History is American History”.

You can stop by Wor-Wic Community College Hazel Hall to view Dr. Clara Small’s Historical Figurine exhibit from now until March 3rd.