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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Ohio Historical Society, Dayton History To Manage Dunbar House
Historic Site To Open For Tours June 11
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)– The Ohio Historical Society has entered into a management agreement for Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial in Dayton with Dayton History, according to Bill Laidlaw, OHS executive director and CEO. The historic site preserves the final home of the African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and is a National Historic Landmark.
"Dayton History has proven experience in overseeing historic properties, so we’re pleased that they'll manage this historic site for the Ohio Historical Society," Laidlaw said. "This arrangement with a local organization will allow the museum to be open to visitors this year and enable the site to continue to be a source of community pride."
After receiving comments from community members at a public meeting April 7 and taking into consideration the best interests of the historic site, the OHS Board of Trustees approved a management agreement with Dayton History. The local organization took over the daily operations of Dunbar house May 19.
"The Ohio Historical Society has one of the largest site networks in the country, and with diminishing financial support from the state, we are faced with the prospect of reducing the number of open hours or not opening our historic sites," Laidlaw said. "By teaming up with Dayton History, we can keep the historic site open and increase access for visitors."
Brady Kress, executive director of Dayton History, said, "We're looking forward to working with the Ohio Historical Society and we're enthusiastic about promoting and interpreting the story of Paul Laurence Dunbar to visitors and groups. We hope that Ohioans will rediscover Dunbar's extraordinary contributions to American literature and learn more about his life and times."
With this agreement 32 of the 58 sites in the Society’s network of historic sites and museums are managed by other organizations. Under such agreements, the Ohio Historical Society typically provides an annual financial subsidy to a local organization to help underwrite the costs of day-to-day site operations, which primarily includes providing visitor services, educational and interpretive programs and basic maintenance. The local group keeps income from admissions, program fees and facility use. The Society will provide liability insurance, major maintenance and professional resources as well as administer capital improvement projects. Managed sites continue to be a vital part of the OHS network of historic sites and museums. "These agreements benefit the sites by drawing on local enthusiasm as well as the expertise and resources of the Ohio Historical Society," Laidlaw said. "In return, the society benefits by lowering its operating costs."
The Dunbar House exhibits Dunbar's literary treasures, many of his personal items and his family's furnishings. During his short lifetime he 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 an advocate of black dignity. In 1936, the Dunbar House became the first state memorial in the nation to honor an African American. It is also a part of the National Park's Service's Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the Dayton Aviation Trail.
Hour-long guided tours will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, starting June 11 through Oct. 31. Tours by appointment can be made throughout the year by calling 937-313-2010. Admission: $6/adult, $3/youth (ages 6-12) and free to Ohio Historical Society and Dayton History members.
Dunbar House is one of 58 sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization that serves as the state's partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology, natural history and historic architecture. The site is located at 219 Paul Laurence Dunbar Street. It is two blocks north of 3rd Street and four blocks east of U.S. Route 35. The entrance to the house and site is just off of Edison Street, around the corner from the house address. For more information, contact 937-293-2841/800.686.1535 or visit www.ohiohistory.org/dunbar
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