The following was written sometime in the late 1950s by Agnes Dunham, the creator of the Dunlap Nativity Scene: "It was early in November two years ago that I had been making wax Glo-Candles for the Christmas season. I found the wax fascinating to work with and started to make a wax face. As I progressed with the face, the thought came to me to make the head of Joseph. It was then I decided to try to make the life-size Nativity of wax.
"I had not yet figured out how the bodies could be constructed, but my husband came to my rescue and built wood frames for me. These frames plus padding placed over them served as a foundation for the wax garments.
"The garments are made from old sheets dipped into hot wax and quickly draped to get the desired effect. We then apply hot wax with a brush to get the finished look, which almost gives the impression that the figures are solid wax. The heads and hands, however, are the only parts that are almost entirely wax.
"For the baby, I used a small amount of plastic foam and old knit underwear which is stuffed with shredded paper. We then apply the hot colored wax with a brush. It takes at least three to four coats to cover them well.
"Many people have asked how we color the wax. So far, crayolas are the only thing we have found to color the wax successfully.
"The characters in this Nativity are all life-sized and this year we will plan to display it in a building 50-feet across the front and 25-feet deep.
"Two years ago, we started with eight figures, including Mary, Joseph, the baby, a lamb, a shepherd boy, the burro and two chickens in the loft. Last year one wise man, a camel, an angel and a cow were added. This Christmas the Nativity will be increased to 18 figures by adding two wise men, two camels, a shepherd and a lamb.
"So far I would say I have used 550 pounds of CO-OP wax. It is remarkable how this wax stands the heat of summer. The figures were stored in a dry tile building and kept very well.
"I have had no experience in the line of sculpturing or art so at first the work went quite slowly.
"This Nativity will be on display the early part of December at our farm home, one mile northwest of Dunlap, Iowa. In most all the work I have been assisted by my husband, Don, and my sister and her husband, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Thompson, also of Dunlap.
"Thousands of people have visited our scene. We have had people from 15 states sign our guest book."