Patterson Irises

Ohio History

More Irises

Yes, I had to do another iris-bow picture! I’ve never seen irises with such unique colors before—or ones so large for that matter. The little yellow ones in the back are irises too, looking a little wilted I think. The garden also featured large yellow irises, forget-me-nots, pink columbine, daisies, roses, hen-and-chicks, and some spiky cactus-looking flowers. Well-weeded dirt and stone paths led amid the foliage. And to think the Pattersons had it at their back door!
PS: See a professional quality photo from the Patterson gardens over at JBeachyPhotography!

Columbines

Ohio History

Purple Bells

These delicate, royal-purple bells hung gracefully against the backdrop of the majestic Patterson house below a brilliant blue sky. Really, they were quite a treat! Columbines aren’t easy to grow, and the plants in this garden were very large. We were actually given a couple purple columbine plants this year, and having four little flowers was a real success!! The little bells on the blossoms are so delicate—it seems like some exotic flower!

Patterson Gardens

Ohio History

Irises in a Row

The Patterson House boasted a beautiful garden in the back. In fact, we actually saw it before touring the house, because we arrived about a half hour before the place opened! There were rainbows of flowers blooming that time of year, including some rather unusual ones. These stunning irises were my favorite—they looked like little bows!

Pink Blossoms

These flowers belong to a small tree that grew near the house. The blossoms are such a deep pink, and so delicate too. The tree almost looked like a sumac at first, but the flowers are much too small. Really, I haven’t the faintest idea what they are. Anybody else have a guess?

Company Workers

Ohio History

NCR Workers Assembling Cash Registers

And last, but not least: the workers themselves. NCR was not a typical factory environment. Mr. Patterson was convinced that happy workers made better machines. After a return of $50,000 worth of defective cash registers in 1894, he began a reform that began with building larger working areas with lots of window for light. The company also offered employee benefits like cheap meals, health care, and a library—revolutionary for its time. The National Cash Register Co. became very successful with these changes, and I think it’s still in business today.

Nat. Cash Reg. Co.

Ohio History

Cash Register Models

Mr. Patterson realized that the cash register would save stores a lot of money if only they would use them. In 1884, John and Frank Patterson bought the National Manufacturing Co. for $6,500, and changed its name to The National Cash Register Company (NCR). They advertised cash registers on the premise that stores would make more profits and lose less money, since employees could no longer steal money from the store. To the right above is an 1885 3-key demo model of a cash register. The one on the left demonstrates the remarkable improvements the Pattersons made to the machines!

Front Steps of NCR

No, you’re not seeing things—this is a picture of 543 cash registers all manufactured on one day at NCR! Needless to say, the Pattersons’ company was extremely successful and grew rapidly. One reason for this was NCR’s sales agents. Mr. Patterson actually had a camp on his estate where he trained future salesmen to standards far above the business world of the time.

Cash Register

Ohio History

Wooden Cash Register

As a toll-collector on the Miami & Erie Canal in Dayton, John H. Patterson was constantly accused of charging higher rates to canal boat captains than other collectors. He developed a unique receipt system on ledgers to show each toll rate paid. Mr. Patterson also owned a coal mining company 100 miles southeast of Dayton. Based on sales, he knew they should be making a profit; however, the business kept losing money. Mr. Patterson purchased a new-on-the-market machine called a “cash register” for $50. Within weeks, the profits soared! Here was a solution for sale clerks and employees with sticky fingers….

Patterson Rooms

Ohio History

Typical Dining Room

Six rooms of the Patterson House were filled with period furniture and décor, while several upstairs rooms displayed models and pictures of their cash registers. The original house was only the two pictured rooms and an upstairs; a large parlor with 20th century furniture was added on later. The house was built by Col. Patterson, and used by three generations of the family, including John H. Patterson’s family. Please don’t ask whose picture is hanging over the fireplace, since I’m sorry I don’t remember what the tour guide told us!

Patterson Sitting Room

Patterson House

Ohio History

Patterson House

Did you know that the inventor of the cash register was a native of Dayton? No, I’m not kidding! John H. Patterson and his brother Frank Patterson made a fortune producing and marketing cash registers. It was their grandfather, Col. Robert Patterson of the Revolutionary War, who settled here in 1804 on a 2,000-acre farm. The Patterson Homestead still stands on part of that land today in Oakwood, a well-to-do suburb of Dayton.

Dunbar Writings

Ohio History

First Published Work

At the age of 18, Mr. Dunbar began a newspaper for African Americans called the Dayton Tattler. Wilber and Orville Wright (recognize them??) printed the paper for him at their print shop nearby. This was in between working an elevator job and writing poems! To the right above is his first published book of poems, Oak and Ivy. He sold it for a whole dollar.

Dunbar's Books

Mr. Dunbar went on to write 14 books of poetry and 8 story books in his short life. Above are the covers of many of them. Tragically, he contracted tuberculosis early on, and died at only 33 years of age. However, Mr. Dunbar’s timeless writings and vivid poetry live on.

Dunbar Poems

Ohio History

Dunbar Bedroom

This old-fashioned typewriter was in Mr. Dunbar’s bedroom. It folded up into a portable carrying case—not unlike a modern-day laptop! He traveled extensively, so I guess he needed it….although I think he wrote drafts by hand first. There was also a nice office upstairs with lots of books for Mr. Dunbar, as well as his mother’s room.

Some of the poems I like most by Paul Lawrence Dunbar are “Sympathy,”
“Little Brown Baby,” and “Not They Who Soar,” but because they're all a bit too long for this post, here is another one I enjoyed:

Life

A crust of bread and a corner to sleep in,
A minute to smile and an hour to weep in,
A pint of joy to a peck of trouble,
And never a laugh but the moans come double;
        And that is life!

A crust and a corner that love makes precious,
With a smile to warm and the tears to refresh us;
And joy seems sweeter when cares come after,
And a moan is the finest of foils for laughter;
        And that is life!

Laundry & Sewing

Ohio History

Summer Kitchen

This airy laundry room at the back of the house reminded us that Matilda Dunbar worked hard doing laundry work while her sons were young. (His father left the family when Paul was four.) There was also an ice chest and a stove for summer cooking in this room—Mr. Dunbar made sure that his mother was well-taken care of! Below is an airy upstairs sewing room for Mrs. Dunbar, with large windows for plenty of light. Imagine making such an ornate dress on that old-fashioned seweng machine!

Mrs. Dunbar's Sewing Room

There was a nice museum next door to the house, featuring some interesting belongings of the Dunbars’, as well as recorded readings of some of his poems. Here is a short verse that I especially liked:

“Because you love me I have achieved,

Had you despised me then I must have failed,

But since I knew you trusted and believed,

 I could not disappoint you and so prevailed."

Dunbar Parlor

Ohio History

Elegant Sitting Room

Many admirers coming to see the famous poet were entertained in this parlor. I can see why the Dunbars had doors to close it off from the rest of the house, as many of the visitors would have been strangers. His poetry was spread far and wide. Mr. Dunbar wrote his poems in two distinct styles. His “dialect” style followed the African American folk language spoken by slaves, while “standard” English reflected conventional poetry. While he preferred the regular English, many of his publishers desired the dialect verse.

Sitting Room Fireplace

What a print for the wallpaper! Mr. Dunbar and his mother spent many hours in this cozy sitting room. I especially like that cute stove.

Dining Room

Ohio History

Dunbar Dining Room

Paul Lawrence Dunbar was born to former slaves in Dayton in 1872. His father escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad and fought in the Civil War. Mr. Dunbar wrote his first poem at age six, but his family was poor so he had to work as well as write. However, he slowly became well-known and by his mid-20s was even traveling across the U.S. and even to England to present his work. He gave voice to the African American experience of slavery as well as the current issues of racism and prejudice.

The Dunbars had some beautiful furniture in their house. Look at that dining room sideboard; it actually stores a mattress inside for overnight guests! In the back was a bench that could convert into a baby crib.

Dunbar House

Ohio History

Home of Paul Lawrence Dunbar

I’m itching to do a bit more exploring around Ohio, how about you? Dayton, Ohio, is a great place to dive into history—especially being only an hour from where we live. What’s important in Dayton? Maybe you’re already thinking of the Wright Brothers, but we’ll start with another man who lived at the same time: Paul Lawrence Dunbar, an acclaimed poet. He was one of the first African American writers to receive international recognition. Mr. Dunbar moved into this house in 1903 at age 30, along with his mother. It was in a middle class district of mostly white residents.