Postcard of a wax museum tableau of President Kennedy and the U.S. Capitol
Following the Kennedy assassination, wax museums -- plentiful and popular roadside attractions in the 1960s -- rushed to add displays that reflected the most memorable moments from the chaotic weekend of November 22, 1963. Although the St. Peterburg, Florida, wax museum had a depiction of the Lee Harvey Oswald shooting in its "Chamber of Horrors" section (2011.047.0001), elsewhere the museum showcased this unique memorial tribute to the late president.
This special effect was likely achieved by locating a wax figure of President Kennedy behind a mesh scrim of the U.S. Capitol building. By alternating exhibit lighting (from the front of the scrim to back of the scrim), it would give the impression that an ethereal John F. Kennedy was briefly materializing in front of the building. A similar special effect later used at a Madame Tussauds museum in Las Vegas allowed a waxwork Elvis Presley to materialize over the Las Vegas downtown skyline. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator