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.