Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial
Phone: 937.224.7061
Web: ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw03
The Paul Laurence Dunbar House was the final home of African American Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. It exhibits his literary treasures, many of his personal items and his family's furnishings.
Dunbar is remembered as the poet laureate of African Americans. He drew on his observations of society and the experience of his parents, both former slaves, to give voice to the social dilemma of disenfranchised people of his day and proclaim 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. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery.
The site
includes an attched visitor center that contains
interpretive panels chronicling Dunbar's life, a meeting
room and a gift shop.
The Dunbar house is also an element of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National
Historical Park.
Dunbar was a contemporary of the Wright brothers, who
printed some of his early writings. The park's
Wright-Dunbar Interpretive
Center at the corner of West Third and
Williams Streets contains exhibits that explain how the
lives of Dunbar and the Wrights came together in West
Dayton to influence the world.
Dayton Metro Library has at least 74 titles by Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Wright State University Archives has a Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, including a digital poetry collection and a detailed biography.
Hours/Tours
June 11 through October 31
Monday-Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday-Saturday: Hour-long guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
November 1 through June 10: Tours by appointment. Call Dayton History at 937.313.2010.
Admission
Adults: $6.00
Children 6-12: $3.00
Free to members of Ohio Historical Society and Dayton History.
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