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A Dunbar Christmas brings holiday joy to historic Dayton home

Step inside the home of revered American poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar, located at 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St. in West Dayton. Built in 1887-1888, the house was purchased by Dunbar’s mother Matilda in 1904. Dunbar is generally recognized as the first African American to achieve fame for his literary accomplishments as well as support himself financially through his writing. He passed away in the house on Feb. 9, 1906 from tuberculosis at the age of 33. Matilda maintained Paul’s library and study to look as they did in 1906 until her death on Feb. 24, 1934. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) acquired the house and opened it as a museum in 1938. The Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial became part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 1992. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Step inside the home of revered American poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar, located at 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St. in West Dayton. Built in 1887-1888, the house was purchased by Dunbar’s mother Matilda in 1904. Dunbar is generally recognized as the first African American to achieve fame for his literary accomplishments as well as support himself financially through his writing. He passed away in the house on Feb. 9, 1906 from tuberculosis at the age of 33. Matilda maintained Paul’s library and study to look as they did in 1906 until her death on Feb. 24, 1934. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) acquired the house and opened it as a museum in 1938. The Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial became part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 1992. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
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Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the University of Dayton Department of Music present A Dunbar Christmas Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House and Visitor Center.

This free, once-in-a-year ranger led tour brings holiday merriment to the Dunbar House. Participants will be greeted by singers performing period songs. There will also be historical reenactors performing as the legendary poet Paul Laurence Dunbar as well as Matilda Dunbar, Paul’s mother.

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After the tour, you can explore the visitor center to learn about how Christmas holidays were celebrated during Dunbar’s life. Organizers also said children of all ages will be able to craft turn-of-the-century holiday ornaments inspired by Dunbar’s winter poems.

Step inside the home of revered American poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar, located at 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St. in West Dayton. Built in 1887-1888, the house was purchased by Dunbar’s mother Matilda in 1904. Dunbar is generally recognized as the first African American to achieve fame for his literary accomplishments as well as support himself financially through his writing. He passed away in the house on Feb. 9, 1906 from tuberculosis at the age of 33. Matilda maintained Paul’s library and study to look as they did in 1906 until her death on Feb. 24, 1934. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) acquired the house and opened it as a museum in 1938. The Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial became part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in 1992. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

A Dunbar Christmas is open the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Tours start at the Dunbar Visitor Center located at 312 Edison St. The last tour of the Dunbar House begins at 3:30 p.m. Any groups larger than 10 are asked to please R.S.V.P. in advance as the house has limited capacity.

For more information, call Ryan Qualls at 937-225-7705 or visit nps.gov/daav/.

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About the Author

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.