Former North Central professor returns to honor Naperville's first known African-American
More than 100 years after Naperville's first African-American resident was laid to rest in Naperville Cemetery, a woman with the same name is traveling back to Naperville to honor her memory.
Sybil J. Dunbar, who was the first African-American professor at North Central College back in the 1990s, will be a featured speaker at Naper Settlement on Sunday, Feb. 28, when the settlement presents "Finding Sybil Dunbar," a program that is part of the museum's History Speaks Lecture Series.
Dunbar, a published poet, said she has returned to Baton Rouge where she has retired from academic life to devote her time to writing.
She first heard of the Civil War-era Sybil Dunbar when she was still working at the Naperville college as an assistant English professor.
"I discovered it because I'd done a poetry reading somewhere in the area," she said. "One of my former students took me (to Naper Settlement) right before I left the college."
Unfortunately, she said, the docent on duty was unable to provide much information about the historical figure.
Enter Bryan Ogg, the settlement's curator of research. A few years ago, he fielded an inquiry from a former Naperville resident who went on to study in New York and was curious about the first African-American Naperville resident.
Ogg combed through census records and came upon Sybil Dunbar's name.
"She is the first named African-American woman in Naperville," Ogg said.
The settlement's archives revealed more clues, which led Ogg to more research. He discovered that Dunbar was born in Vermont.
"I wrote to at least a dozen historical agencies in Vermont," he said.
He found she had ties to the Loomis, Peaslee and Butler families, all families with connections to Vermont and Naperville.
"I have an idea she may have been a caretaker or a nanny," Ogg said. "But that's pure speculation."
Dunbar's grave stone, weathered and worn, was found in the cemetery. Last May, Naper Settlement dedicated a commemorative marker at the site.
On Sunday, Ogg will reveal more details about how he conducted his research and what his findings turned up.
His talk will be followed by a presentation from Professor Dunbar.
"I've written a piece for her," Dunbar said.
Dunbar said she agreed to compose a message for the occasion on the condition that she would deliver only if spiritually inspired.
Happily, she said, she was "sent something" via a spiritual experience that did indeed inspire her words.
She said she regards the fact that her predecessor in Naperville history had the same moniker as her own as a point that bears significance.
"Many people have asked me if I thought it was a coincidence," she said. "I don't believe in coincidences."
If you go
What: History Speaks Lecture Series on "Finding Sybil Dunbar"
When: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28
Where: Naper Settlement's Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Cost: $7 adults, $6 youth ages 4 to 12; $1 discount if purchased in advance
Info: (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org