Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial House

Dayton History is happy to announce new touring hours at the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial.

The museum will be open for tours every Friday and Saturday this year from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. For pre-arranged tours call 937-313-2010 to place a reservation. Although admission fees of $6.00 per adult and $3.00 per child are in place, Dayton History members, Ohio Historical Society members and National Park Service Pass Holders will be admitted free of charge. The address is 219 Paul Laurence Dunbar Street, Dayton OH 45402. We hope to see you soon at the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial!

Who was Paul Laurence Dunbar? Born to former slaves in 1872, Dunbar was the first African American poet to earn international acclaim. In his short life of 33 years, he published over 400 poems, six full-length novels, plays, short stories and lyrics for musical productions. His body of published work reveals the daunting challenges facing African Americans in the post-Civil War era and protests the widespread atrocities committed against them.

Dunbar became a major inspiration for Harlem Renaissance authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. His influence continues today through the writings of famous African American writers like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, both of whom credit Dunbar as an inspiration