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The Dunbar Project
In 1912, Tucson school
board officials voted to create the Dunbar School as a
segregated school for African-American students. Until its
integration in 1951, Dunbar provided a unique cultural and
educational experience for those who were to become some of
Tucson's most distinguished citizens.
 Dunbar Coalition, Inc.
was established in 1993 to obtain possession of the
Dunbar/John Spring School complex from Tucson Unified School
District in order to create an African-American museum at
the Dunbar School site. The coalition consists of the
Juneteenth Festival Planning Committee, the Dunbar/Spring
Neighborhood Association, the Dunbar Alumni Association, and
the Tucson Urban League. In 1995, the Dunbar Coalition
purchased the historic Dunbar School ~ which includes a
2-acre site and 51,000 square feet of building -- for $25
from Tucson Unified School District.
The coalition then
applied for and received a Community Development Block Grant
from the City of Tucson to complete a Master Development
Plan for the Dunbar Project. The plan was completed through
a process that included the input of many members of the
Dunbar/Spring neighborhood and the Tucson community.
The coalition's goal is
to create an African-American Historical Museum and Cultural
Center on this site, preserving the historic Dunbar School
and Tucson's African-American history. The creation of the
museum will increase opportunities for cultural expression
while serving neighborhood youth, as well as the entire
community.
The coalition kicked
off a major Capital Fund Drive in the spring of 2002 to
enable the Dunbar Project to take the next step in becoming
the Dunbar Museum and Cultural Center. Phase II of the
auditorium renovation is underway and should be completed in
August 2002.
Join with us in our
attempt to accurately portray the role of the Black cowboy,
the Buffalo soldier and Black pioneers in the settlement of
the Great Southwest.
Your financial support is
needed. Contributions may be sent to:
The Dunbar Coalition
P.O. Box 86132
Tucson, Arizona 85754- 6132
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