Art

History, Historic House

This Italianate turn-of-the-century structure was the final home of the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. It exhibits his literary treasures, many of his personal items and his family's furnishings. During his short lifetime Dunbar 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 a proclaimer of black dignity.

Specialized

To choose violence and conflict is easy. Pick up a gun. Drop a bomb. Ignore the rights of others. To choose peace is more difficult. The arsenal of peace has no weapons but nonviolence, compassion, faith, and reason.

If peace is to be a viable alternative in a world inundated with violence, the message of peace must have constant presence. It needs to be available to those who would choose and work for peace, but who often feel alone or defeated. It needs to be a message heard over and over by children. It needs to be incorporated into everyday activities. Its promise needs to resonate in the streets.

To achieve its lofty goals, peace needs to be grounded.

Art