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| Dunbar House 219 N Paul Laurence Dunbar St Dayton, OH 45402  (937)224-7061, (800)860-0148 lsci@ohiohistory.org www.ohiohistory.org/places/dunbar Google Maps - Yahoo! Maps - MapQuest |  | |
This Italianate turn-of-the-century structure was the final home of the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. It exhibits his literary treasures, many of his personal items and his family's furnishings. During his short lifetime Dunbar became known as the poet laureate of African Americans. Drawing on his observations of society and the experience of his parents--both former slaves--he gave voice to the social dilemma of disenfranchised people of his day and became a proclaimer of black dignity. Born in 1872, Dunbar was ill for most of his life. He died of tuberculosis in 1906. His mother, Matilda, lived on in the house and kept vigil over Paul's belongings until her death in 1934. On 23 July 1936, the Dunbar House became the first state memorial to honor an African American. In 2002-2003 the site began a capital improvement project. Today, the Dunbar has been completely renovated and restored to furnishings and wallpapers common, and some instances exactly, of the time period when Paul and Matilda lived in the house. A new visitor center was also constructed on site, containing interpretive panels chronicling Dunbar's life. Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial is also a part of the National Park's Service's Dayton Aviation Heritage Trail. The Heritage Trail commemorates three exceptional men - Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and Paul Laurence Dunbar - and their work in the Miami Valley. The Heritage Trail is made up of the National Park Service and four partners, and it contains four separate sites. In addition to Dunbar State Memorial, they are The Wright Cycle Company building and Wright brothers' print shop building; Huffman Prairie Flying Field; and the John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers Aviation Center. Dunbar House PO Box 1872 Dayton, OH 45401 | ||
