The events are part of the Dunbar 150 project — public events and activities leading up to the 150th anniversary of the critically acclaimed African-American poet and author’s birth.
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
Dunbar’s literary works created a foundation for poets and writers for more than a century, said Brad Sauls, the Dunbar 150 project coordinator and a ranger at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
The goal of the Dunbar 150 project is to share the poet’s inspiration.
“He was always a champion of the people,” Sauls said. “He wanted people to be treated fairly and justly. He left a legacy of love.”
There are three free events planned next weekend.
Arts in the Park will be held Saturday, June 26 from noon until 4 p.m. at Oak & Ivy Park, 700 Anderson-Goodrich Ct., in the historic Wright-Dunbar neighborhood.
The family-friendly Dunbar-themed event will have painting stations, live music, a sidewalk chalk area, food trucks, a selfie station with a Dunbar cut-out and National Park ranger-led interpretive programs about the poet and his life.
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum will host a flag ceremony at Dunbar’s gravesite at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 27 — Dunbar’s 149th birthday.
The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School flag will be hoisted over the gravesite followed by a public program.
Organizers hope the flag raising becomes a nationwide event for schools named after Dunbar. The school can send their unique flags to Woodland Cemetery where they will be flown over the gravesite and mailed back with a photograph and certificate of authenticity.
“It’s a way to get schools and students involved with learning more about his legacy,” Sauls said.
Later that day, a birthday celebration will be held at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Visitor Center and House, 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St., from noon until 3 p.m.
The house will be transformed into a living museum. There will be an actor portraying Dunbar on site, as well as a poetry recitation, live music from University of Dayton students and tours of the home.
Birthday cake and food and beverages will be given out at the visitors center while supplies last.
The Dunbar 150 project is a partnership with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Planned2Give, the Dayton Metro Library, University of Dayton, Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum and the Paul Laurence Dunbar chapter of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
In celebration of Dunbar’s 150th birthday, an event will be held at the Victoria Theatre on Saturday, June 25, 2022. The program will feature recitations of Dunbar’s works by several world-renowned poets including Nikki Giovanni, University of Dayton professor of history (emeritus), Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin and LaVerne Sci, a local Dunbar historian.
To learn more about upcoming Dunbar 150 events check the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park website or follow the Facebook page.
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