On May 10, 1900, Paul Laurence Dunbar participated in a musical and literary recital at Quinn Chapel in Chicago. Paul was passing through the city on his way home to Washington, D. C., after spending the winter in Colorado.
A reception attended by a large number of colored people was given to Paul Laurence Dunbar, the well known poet, in Quinn Chapel last night. The program was made up of songs and instrumental music, interspersed with several of Mr. Dunbar's compositions, which were read by the author and received with many demonstrations of approval.
"Reception to a Poet." The Chicago Times-Herald (Chicago, Illinois). May 11, 1900.
Constructed in 1891, Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is a large stone Gothic building that still stands on Chicago's south side. The event featured a children's chorus performing musical settings of Paul's poems written by the African American composer Walter Talbert.
Paul Laurence Dunbar will be entertained by the colored people of Chicago at Quinn Chapel Monday night. During the evening Mr. Dunbar will give a short recital from his works. A feature of the program will be a chorus of 200 children's voices in selections from the songs of the guest of the occasion which have been set to music by the Negro composer, Walter Thaddeus Talbert. A reception will be held in the lecture room of the church, at which a luncheon will be served and addresses made by prominent colored men. Mr. Dunbar arrived in the city last night from Denver, where he had been spending the winter in an effort to restore his health. He returns fully recovered.
"Negroes Will Honor Dunbar." The Chicago Record (Chicago, Illinois). May 5, 1900.
Program
Thursday Evening, May 10th, 1900
Chorus, Forsaken. Sunday School Children.
Reading. Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar.
National Race Hymn. Sunday School Children.Walter T. Talbert, Musical Director
Recital program, May 10, 1900. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
Walter Talbert, who was about the same age as Paul, was the first Black musician to perform on the stage of Carnegie Hall. The Quinn Chapel recital included a "National Race Hymn" composed by Talbert.
The enterprising young organist, pianist and director, Walter T. Talbert, of Chicago, is planning a mammoth spectacular concert, devoted to the rise and progress of the colored race, with music and tableaux showing progress of the colored folk since 1863. On the program is a negro national hymn by Talbert.
"Talbert, of Chicago." The Musical Courier (New York, New York). March 14, 1900. Page 31.
Paul's appearance at Quinn Chapel was supposed to take place a few days earlier, but the musical performance was postponed because of heavy thunderstorms. Paul recited briefly anyway and then made a second appearance at the chapel on May 10.
The entertainment which was to have been given by Paul Dunbar last night at Quinn Chapel, by the colored people of the city, was postponed until Thursday night on account of the bad weather. About fifty people had assembled, and Mr. Dunbar, who was to have given a reading, recited the "Warrior's Prayer" and "Jump Back Honey."
"Postpone Dunbar Reception. Entertainment Planned for Poet Delayed by Bad Weather." The Chicago Times Herald (Chicago, Illinois). May 8, 1900.
Paul Laurence Dunbar did not disappoint the small number of his admirers who braved the storm to hear him last night in Quinn Chapel. The poet generously recited a number of poems, and held an informal reception for an hour afterward. The musical verses of this young poet acquire an added charm when read by the author. His voice is deep, rich and mellow, and he recites his verses with a quiet force that is pleasing.
"Negro Poet's Work. Paul Laurence Dunbar Entertains Chicago Admirers." The Daily Inter-Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). May 8, 1900. Page 5.
The drainage canal was put to a severe test by the heavy rainfall of yesterday. The downpour was the heaviest recorded since last summer. Up to 9 o'clock last night four-fifths of an inch had fallen. The predictions are that Chicago and its vicinity will experience another heavy rainfall before this evening, when the weather man promises clear and fair weather.
"Rainfall Tests Canal." The Daily Inter-Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). May 8, 1900. Page 7.