3 Best Landmarks in Dayton, OH

“Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre museum that aims to inspire generations by connecting them with the unique people, places, and events that changed Dayton and the world. The museum's vision is a world inspired by its unique regional stories. Carillon Historical Park merged with the Montgomery County Historical Society to create a new umbrella organization known as Dayton History. The private non-profit organization was established to preserve, share, and celebrate its region’s history. The museum has a hand-carved carousel, 4D theater, trains, slides, living history experiences, thousands of artifacts, extensive educational programming, and so much more, which brings Dayton’s past to life in a way that is fun for the whole family. Carillon Historical Park is home to over 30 historic structures and cares for over three million artifacts.”

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“Paul Laurence Dunbar House was the 1904–1906 home of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, which is owned by the state of Ohio and operated by Dayton History on behalf of the Ohio History Connection. The house is also part of Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. A project completed in 2003 has returned the Dunbar House to its appearance when Paul Laurence Dunbar and his mother, Matilda, lived there. Dunbar lived in the house from 1904 until he died in 1906; his mother lived there from 1904 until she died in 1934. An on-site visitor center features panels telling the story of Dunbar’s life. Paul Laurence Dunbar House is managed locally by Dayton History. Tours are led by National Park Service staff.”

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“Wright Cycle Company Shop includes the Wright Cycle Company building and the Wright–Dunbar Interpretive Center (the restored Hoover Block), and the new Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum. The museum was home to the Wright brothers’ bicycle business from 1895 to 1897. Here, the Wright brothers began to manufacture their brand of bicycles, which gave the brothers the mechanical experience and financial resources necessary to begin their experiments into powered human flight. Wright Cycle Company Shop was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1990. The Wrights opened a bicycle repair shop in addition to their printing business.”

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