The Legacy of the Dunbar Theatre

Originally opened as the Gibson Theatre, it was renamed in honor of famed African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, whose work celebrated Black identity and resilience. In the 1920s and 1930s, the theater became a hub for Black entertainment, hosting legendary jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway. These performances helped solidify Philadelphia’s role in the broader jazz scene alongside New York and Chicago, making the Dunbar a cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance's cultural expansion beyond Harlem.