Natalie Clifford Barney

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“I built a fire to welcome her
And my voice sighed
Aloud her name. To be with her
This night, I would have died…”

Natalie Clifford Barney was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1876, to an affluent family. By age twelve, Natalie knew she was a lesbian. Although society in the late 1800’s was very conservative, Natalie knew she would “Live openly, without hiding anything.”

Natalie developed an interest in the French language as a child. Her governess often read Jules Vern stores aloud to her in French, and she had to learn the language quickly to understand the stories.  In adulthood, Natalie was fluent in French, and published most of her work in French. 

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Please help us remember those who have died while serving in our country’s military.

Interestingly, the holiday originated after the Civil War in 1868 as “Decoration Day,” when a group of veteran Union soldiers known as the “Grand Army of the Republic” established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of Union soldiers with flowers.

Please have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

A World A’Fair

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It’s that time of year again! The World A’Fair is a three-day international festival including food, dancing, music, and cultural exhibits. The theme this year is Folk Medicine, and booths from over 30 countries will represent their take on this theme.
Location:
Dayton Convention Center (DCC)
22 East 5th Street
Dayton, OH 45402

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Dayton Sideshow 12

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Dayton Sideshow 12 is coming up! Dayton Sideshow is a two-day community arts festival.

Come out and see a variety of artwork, such as installations, paintings, sculptures, etc., from more than 50 local artists while more than 50 musical acts play. Admission is free, but donations with be accepted to support the event.

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Exercise Dayton – Riverscape Inventors Walk

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Tired of the same exercise routine? Try visiting some of Dayton’s notable spots while you exercise!

Enjoy fresh air and history as you experience the Dayton Inventors River Walk.

The Route:

Starting with a brick medallion at the corner of Monument Avenue and Main Street, the Inventors Walk continues around Riverscape with informative tiles in the pavement, leading to the Automobile Self Starter, the first of 7 invention stations. Continue toward North Patterson Boulevard, visiting the Cash Register and Ice Cube sculptures. Cross the bridge on Patterson Boulevard to continue reading the tiles. Approximate distance is 1 mile (see map below).

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Miamisburg Mound

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Located at 900 Mound Street, Miamisburg Mound pre-dates Dayton – but it is very important to Dayton History. Here are some facts:

  • The Mound is actually a burial mound, and it is one of the largest conical mounds in North America, and is the largest conical mound in Ohio.

  • The Mound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  • Mounds like this served as cemeteries, and may have also marked boundary lines for tribal territories.

  • The Mound is 65 feet tall. It was originally 68 feet tall, before an excavation attempt in 1869.

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221 Years Ago, Tomorrow

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“The boat party was the first to arrive. Rounding the curve in the river, where for so many years since then it has been flowing under the Dayton View bridge, the pioneers perceived before their eyes the swift current of Mad River emptying itself into the main channel, just as it had been described, and saying to each other (so we may imagine), ‘Yes, this must be the place,’ they tied the pirogue to a tree at the head of St. Clair Street and led by Mrs. Thompson, all clambered ashore.

At that moment DAYTON came on the map!”

– Charlotte Reeve Conover, The Story of Dayton.

Two hundred and twenty-one years ago tomorrow, Dayton was founded. To honor this occasion, we decided to share some of our favorite pictures we’ve taken around Dayton.

Also, please send us your favorite picture you’ve taken around Dayton, and we’ll feature it in a future blog post! You can send it to our email at daytonunknown@hotmail.com – and be sure to provide your name for photo credit!

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The History of Sinclair College

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“Find the need and endeavor to meet it.” – David Ainslie Sinclair

Although his tombstone in Woodland simply states “Secretary of the YMCA”, David Sinclair did much more for Dayton and its residents.

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