Showing posts with label American Heritage Wax Museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Heritage Wax Museum. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

American Heritage Wax Museum- Indian Wars

In this amazingly graphic scene from the American Heritage Wax Museum in Scottsdale Arizona we see an Indian warrior attacking a settler as his horrified daughter watches in terror. The Indian is scalping the man for what the museum calls revenge for his intrusion into the Indian's territory.


A close up of the gruesome scene. The look on the scalped man is disturbing, as well as the anger in the native's face.


The daughter, crouched in the corner in fear, can do nothing but watch as her family is murdered.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

American Heritage Wax Museum- The Kennedys

This view from the American Heritage Wax Museum shows former President and First Lady John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy. The set isn't very detailed, with only an American flag behind them (curtains were the best friend of wax museums set decorators). However, there is an understated elegance to the figures.


A closer view of JFK in his tuxedo.


Jacqueline Kennedy in her dress. These figures highlight the Kennedy administration's era of Camelot.

Monday, December 29, 2008

American Heritage Wax Museum- Famous Indians

This tableau from the American Heritage Wax Museum in Scottsdale Arizona depicts three famous Indians posing. We see Geronimo, Sitting bull, and Red Cloud together in a scene that honors the historical significance of the three men.


(1829-1909)
Geronimo, an Apache medicine man and warrior, who fought the American government during its expansion into the west.


(1831-1890)
Sitting Bull, a Sioux holy man and warrior, most remembered for his defeat of General Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.


(1822-1909)
Red Cloud, a Sioux Warrior and leader, fought a series of battles against the United States. These Conflicts were known as Red Cloud's War.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

American Heritage Wax Museum- The Bar at Tombstone

In this scene from the American Heritage Wax Museum, we see the Clanton boys harassing the Earp boys. Wyatt, and his brothers, Virgil and Morgan, seem put out by the open lawlessness of Tombstone Arizona. This tension leads to the famous "Gunfight at the OK Corral".


A closer view of the Earp Boys. They seem to be having fun gambling. The women of the saloon also seem to be enjoying the company of the Earps.


I suppose this is Doc Holliday. He looks pretty good for someone with Consumption. The showgirl doesn't seem to mind either.


The "evil" Clantons. Although they couldn't seem to back it up with their pistols, these cowboys talk a mean talk in the bar.


From the side, and in color, the bad guys of the town won't let the Earps have any fun.


From the front and in black and white. The old west has been glorified the last century, but I wouldn't want to live in such a lawless place.

View more information on Tombstone Arizona here.

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Sunday, September 30, 2007

American Heritage Wax Museum- Exterior

This old postcard shows the exterior of the American Heritage Wax Museum in Scottsdale Arizona. The cars give away the era this photo was taken in. Like so many other wax museums, the American Heritage Wax Museum focused on the historically significant events that shaped American history. I believe the building is still around, but the museum is long gone. Although I don't have much information on when it closed.

View more information, and take another look at this picture here.

Previous entries.


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Saturday, March 31, 2007

American Heritage Wax Museum- American Humor

Here's a picture from the defunct American Heritage Wax Museum in Scottsdale Arizona. The scene represents American humor of the southwest. We see two great comedians, Bob Hope and Will Rogers, decked out in western garb. Behind them is a painting of a typical western scene. While Hope may be more well known for his "Road" Movies, there's no doubt that Will Rogers is considered a great western entertainer.


(1903-2003)

"Master of good-humored repartee and king of the wisecrack, Bob Hope for nearly 40 years has entertained in almost every major field of show business. Radio, musical comedy, movies, television- in each medium Bob Hope has achieved fame and the affection of millions.

"The great comedian was born Leslie Townes Hope in England, and was the son of a stonemason. He came to the United States as a child, and very soon was working to help the family income. He sold papers, delivered groceries, worked as a shoe clerk. Imitations of Charlie Chaplin attracted local notice, and before long he was booked into small theatres with a soft-shoe and comic patter routine. He worked hard and soon earned wider acceptance, until in 1933 he was a star on Broadway in "Roberta." His Tuesday night radio shows became a national institution, and before long he was a Hollywood personality. His "Road" pictures with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour brought delight to millions." -From Museum Guidebook


(1879-1935)

"No American was more loved than Will Rogers. His full name was William Penn Adair Rogers, he was part Cherokee Indian, and his speech and manner lost the touch of his native Oklahoma. A comedian he was, and without peer, but mostly he was a philosopher. He loved people, and the fun he poked at their frailties was always kind and tempered. From the stage, before the microphone or in his newspaper column he mused over the happenings of his era. Everything he said could raise a chuckle, but always it was profound and understanding.

"He was the youngest of seven children. He never went beyond the fourth grade, for he loved too much the cowboy's life to have patience with books and the indoors. He became an expert at twirling the rope, and was much in demand at rodeos. From there to show business was but a step, and soon to the Oklahoma cowboy came stardom, wealth and fame. Presidents and kings sought his company, and he traveled the world, bringing to each new scene his penetrating humor and always making friends. One day he set off with Wiley Post to see Alaska. The y found the shattered plane and the dead companions, and all America mourned." -From Museum Guidebook

View more information on Bob Hope here.

View more information on Will Rogers here.

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

American Heritage Wax Museum- Lincoln Assassination

(Apr 14 1865)

The American Heritage Wax Museum was located in Scottsdale Arizona, and focused its collection mainly on American historical events. Its location in the western United States meant that the museum had a large collection of western themed exhibits. However, significant events not in the west also were represented. Here, we see the assassination of President Lincoln. This tableau depicts the event just seconds before the infamous shot was fired. The president was watching the play Our American Cousin when John Wilkes Booth entered the box and shot him. Lincoln died the next day. During Booth's escape from the theater, he uttered the famous lines, "Sic semper Tyrannis".


A close up of the scene. Lincoln, and his assassination are popular subjects for wax museums. This is one of the best representations.

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