Paul Laurence Dunbar House Dayton Ohio
Step into the preserved home of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a pioneering African American poet and literary giant.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
House is open for tours
Paul Laurence Dunbar House Dayton Ohio
Best Time
House is open for tours
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step into the preserved home of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a pioneering African American poet and literary giant.
"Standing in the home of greatness is truly an honor. "
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy a rich historical experience without any cost. Donations are welcome to support preservation efforts.
Check Hours Before You Go ⏰
The house is typically open Fri-Sun, 10 am-4 pm, but confirm hours as they can vary.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Guided House Tour
Inside the historic home
Step back in time with a ranger-led tour of Dunbar's preserved home, filled with authentic artifacts and stories.
Dunbar's Mother's Grapevine
Backyard of the house
See the historic grapevine planted by Paul Laurence Dunbar's mother, a living connection to his family's legacy.
The Back Museum & Film
Adjacent building
Discover more about Dunbar's prolific career, struggles, and achievements through exhibits and a compelling short film.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Allocate Enough Time
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy a rich historical experience without any cost. Donations are welcome to support preservation efforts.
Check Hours Before You Go ⏰
The house is typically open Fri-Sun, 10 am-4 pm, but confirm hours as they can vary.
Ask Lots of Questions! 🙋♀️
Ranger guides are very informative. Kids and adults alike are encouraged to engage and learn more.
Don't Miss the Second Floor! ⬆️
Ensure you explore both levels of the house for the full story and exhibits.
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy a rich historical experience without any cost. Donations are welcome to support preservation efforts.
Check Hours Before You Go ⏰
The house is typically open Fri-Sun, 10 am-4 pm, but confirm hours as they can vary.
Ask Lots of Questions! 🙋♀️
Ranger guides are very informative. Kids and adults alike are encouraged to engage and learn more.
Don't Miss the Second Floor! ⬆️
Ensure you explore both levels of the house for the full story and exhibits.
Passport Stamps Available 🛂
Pick up your National Park Service passport stamps at the visitor center.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Paul Laurence Dunbar House for its free admission and the informative, engaging tours led by knowledgeable park rangers. The opportunity to walk through the preserved home of a significant African American literary figure is described as an honor and a deeply moving experience. While some note the neighborhood's appearance, most focus on the rich history and the value of the site.
"The entrance to the home is on the side of the main house. Here you can get your passport stamps and purchase some souvenirs. The first level has a short show to watch and some information about the Dunbar’s. Don’t forget (like I did) to go up to the second floor for more cool stuff. There is a tour guided by one of the Pahrk Rangers. Maria gave the tour of the house as it is only available with a park ranger. She was very informative on Paul’s life in and outside the home. Paul was a school mate and friends with the Wright Brothers.
The tour begins in the back where you will see a grape vine that was here when they were. The garage was there as well but it was used for just storage. It had a loft that Paul would go to when he didn’t want to be disturbed. When you enter the home, you are shown the parlor which was used for everything from parties to funerals. There is no real internal lighting as there is still gas being used in the home but they have hand lanterns if you need one. This was a bit of a modern home for its time as it had hot water. You will have some other early modern appliances throughout the home. You will see the rooms where Paul and his Mother slept. Take a look around as some of the items are also authentic for Paul or his Mother.
If walls could talk, they would sing poetry and tell stories throughout. I could help the walls with stories but you will learn all that with this visit 😁"
Daniel Grove
"I highly recommend visiting Paul Laurence Dunbar House if you are in Dayton, Ohio. He was the first African American to have his home preserved as a National Historical park site. We are blessed to have the place where the great poet, writer, and presenter resided. To stand in the home of greatness is truly an honor. It felt exhilarating being in the midst of the very same place, Mr. Dunbar lived.
My kids asked the tour guides so many questions. They surprised me by wanting to know more about Mr. Dunbar and his family. I will not spoil the moment for you, but I encourage you to visit. I saw his home when I was a kid, but it was not the same feeling I had as an adult. It came full circle.
They are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am-4pm. Make sure you give yourself an hour and a half to enjoy the full experience. Free admission!!"
T Leavelle
"Only 19 visitors on the 4th of July the visitor center was open but the house it self was closed. Was in a lower end part of town"
Jclaker24
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Paul Laurence Dunbar House is located in Dayton, Ohio. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, it's situated in a part of town that some visitors have described as 'lower end.' Driving is likely the most convenient option for most visitors.
Information on dedicated parking is limited, but visitors have noted the presence of a garage on the property that was used for storage. It's advisable to check with the National Park Service for the most current parking guidance.
Some reviews mention the neighborhood being 'lower end' or 'weird,' but others found it not 'scary' and noted its historical context as potentially a segregated area. Visitors are encouraged to focus on the historical significance of the site.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House is completely free! This makes it an accessible and valuable historical experience for everyone.
The house is typically open for guided tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. It's always a good idea to verify these hours before your visit, as they can change.
Tours are guided by park rangers and are the only way to see the interior of the house. While advance booking isn't always explicitly required, it's recommended to check the National Park Service website or call ahead to ensure availability, especially for larger groups.
Some visitors have reported the house being closed on holidays, even when the visitor center was open. It's crucial to confirm operating hours for any specific date you plan to visit.
The site occasionally hosts special events, such as poetry recitations, especially around Paul Laurence Dunbar's birthday. These events can offer a unique and enriching experience.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The tour is led by a park ranger and provides in-depth information about Paul Laurence Dunbar's life, his family, and the historical context of the home. You'll see rooms like the parlor, bedrooms, and learn about the home's modern amenities for its time.
Yes, behind the house, there's a museum area with more exhibits detailing Dunbar's accomplishments and struggles. You can also see the historic grapevine planted by his mother and the original garage.
Visitors generally recommend allocating about an hour and a half to fully enjoy the experience, including the guided tour, museum exhibits, and the short film.
While not explicitly designed as a children's museum, many visitors report their children asking many questions and showing interest during the tours, indicating an engaging experience for younger visitors.
Photography policies inside historic homes can vary. It's best to ask your ranger guide during the tour about their specific guidelines for taking pictures.
📸 📸 Photography
The exterior of the historic home, especially with the surrounding grounds and the grapevine, offers picturesque opportunities. Inside, focus on capturing the preserved rooms and artifacts, but always check photography rules first.
While exterior photos are generally fine, interior photography rules can vary. Always confirm with your tour guide before taking pictures inside the house to respect preservation guidelines.
Visitors often capture the historic architecture, the preserved interiors, and the natural elements like the grapevine. It's a great spot for historical and architectural photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Make sure to allocate enough time for the full experience, including the museum and the short film, which can provide a good overview. Encourage your children to ask questions; the park rangers are excellent at providing informative and accessible answers. It’s a free and enriching outing that can introduce kids to important African American history and literature in a tangible way.
📚 Literature Enthusiasts
Pay close attention to the details shared by the park ranger, as they often reveal nuances about Dunbar's writing process and his personal life that aren't found in books. The adjacent museum provides further context on his prolific output and his impact on subsequent generations of writers.
🏛️ History Buffs
Beyond Dunbar's personal story, the house provides context for the social and historical landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Learning about his connections to other notable Daytonians, like the Wright Brothers, adds another layer to the historical narrative.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Literary Giant
Dunbar's home, preserved as a National Historic Site, offers a tangible connection to his life and work. Visitors can walk through the rooms where he lived and wrote, gaining insight into his personal life and the environment that shaped his creative output. His close friendship with the Wright Brothers, also pioneers from Dayton, is another fascinating aspect of his life that is often highlighted during tours.
Despite his early success, Dunbar struggled with tuberculosis and died at the young age of 33. He purchased this home specifically to provide a comfortable place for his mother after his passing, a testament to his familial devotion. The preservation of his home ensures that his legacy as a literary pioneer and a significant figure in American history continues to inspire future generations.
The Historic Dunbar House Experience
Beyond the main residence, the site includes a museum that expands on Dunbar's extensive career and the challenges he faced. Here, you can learn about his various works, from poetry collections to song lyrics, and see artifacts that offer further context to his life. The presence of his mother's grape vine in the backyard serves as a poignant reminder of his family ties and his dedication to her well-being.
Many visitors, including families, find the experience deeply moving and educational. The free admission makes it an accessible cultural outing, and the opportunity to stand in the home of such a significant historical figure is often described as an honor. The site is a vital part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, celebrating the rich history of innovation and culture in Dayton.
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