Welcome to The Dunbar Project Website
![[Dunbar School]](DunbarTop.jpg)
Dunbar School was completed in January 1918, for the purpose of educating Tucson's African-American students. The school was named after Paul Laurence Dunbar, a renowned African-American poet. African-American children in first through ninth grades attended Dunbar until 1951, when de jure segregation was eliminated from the school systems of Arizona. When segregation in Arizona was eliminated, Dunbar School became the non-segregated John Spring Junior High School, and continued as such until 1978 when the school was closed permanently.
The Dunbar Coalition purchased the building from Tucson Unified School District in 1995, and is undertaking the task of renovating the school and converting it into an African-American Museum and Cultural Center. The renovation will preserve the historic building while creating a center to house artifacts and memorabilia that document the contributions African-Americans made to the development of the Great Southwest. In addition, the Center will increase opportunities for cultural expression among both youths and adults in the Dunbar/Spring Neighborhood, as well as the entire city.
There is widespread support for the project. Both the City of Tucson and Pima County have contributed Community Development Block Grant funds to the project; the State of Arizona has contributed funding; Dunbar alumni have provided financial support for monthly upkeep during the renovation process; and the neighborhood association has pledged portions of its Back-to-Basics funds for playground equipment, the restoration of the school Ramada, and help toward the renovation of the Auditorium.
At this time, the Dunbar Coalition is launching a Capital Funding Campaign to secure the finances needed to complete the Dunbar Project. Members of the Coalition hope you will support the project financially and join us in preserving this historic building, while helping to revitalize one of Tucson's oldest neighborhoods, while accurately portraying the role of the Black cowboy, the Buffalo Soldier and Black pioneers in the settlement of the southwest.
Your financial support is needed in any amount. Recognition of contributions of $500 or more will be acknowledged in the following manner:
Diamond | $10,000 or more | Plaque on wall of Youth Cultural Center Room |
---|---|---|
Platinum | $5,000 or more | Plaque on wall of Gallery Room |
Gold | $1,500 or more | Name engraved in gold-plated lettering for plaque in hallway |
Silver | $1,000 or more | Name engraved in silver-plated lettering for plaque in hallway |
Bronze | $500 or more | Name engraved on walkway brick |
Contributions may be sent to:
The Dunbar Coalition
P.O. Box 86132
Tucson, AZ 85754-4072
Sincerely,
Cressworth C. Lander, President
The Dunbar Coalition, Inc.