Dunbar School in Salina, KS, was dedicated on Nov. 17, 1922, to educate the city’s children of color in grades  K-8.  The Dunbar School Alumni Association has planned a weekend of activities this month to mark this historic 100th anniversary.  

Dunbar School alumni, descendants, friends and historians are invited to the celebration.  

The school, named after African-American poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar, served its role, educating thousands of Black children in Salina until the Brown v. Topeka BOE lawsuit forced the closure of the school in 1955.  

The formal celebration, sponsored by the Dunbar School Alumni Association, will be held Sat., Nov. 17. 

The full day of activities begins at 10 a.m. at Dunbar School, 509 E. Elm, with the unveiling of a 100th anniversary plaque.  

Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the building, which is currently owned by St. Francis Ministries.  

The day continues with a noon luncheon at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, followed by the 100th anniversary program at 2 p.m. at Kansas Wesleyan University’s Fitzpatrick Auditorium  The day’s activities conclude with a reception at 7 p.m. at the Salina Courtyard by Marriott.   

On Sunday, Dunbar alumni and friends are invited to the 11 a.m. worship service at St. John’s Church.   

All events are free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to RSVP for any of the festivities they plan to attend at www.DunbarSchoolSalina.com/rsvp.

In 1998, the City of Salina named Dunbar School a Heritage Conservation Landmark and a marker was placed at the site in 2000.  

In honor of the 100th anniversary, limited signed prints of a watercolor painting of Dunbar School by Dr. Virginia Belle Hill Ricard, the school’s oldest living alumna, will be for sale. 

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