Natalie Clifford Barney historical marker

The Dayton City Commission unanimously approved a resolution, to become the first Ohio City to honor a noted Lesbian writer, Natalie Clifford Barney, with a historical marker. A dedication ceremony for the Ohio Historical marker took place on October 25, 2009 in Cooper Park in Dayton Ohio.

Dayton-born heiress and writer Natalie Barney, daughter of artist Alice Pike Barney and Albert Clifford Barney, was known for her literary salons in Paris. In 1900, she published her first book of love poems to women, “Quelques Portraits-Sonnets de Femmes,” under her own name.

Barney promoted women’s writings. The famed French Academy was not open to female writers; in response, in 1927 Barney founded the Women’s Academy to honor female writers.

Historical Marker Under Wraps in Dayton, Ohio

She held an infamous weekly salon in her Paris home for 50 years, where the leading figures in French literature gathered with their western contemporaries. Her regular guests included Andre Gide, Jean Cocteau, T.S. Elliot, Thornton Wilder, fellow Ohioan Sherwood Anderson, Sinclair Lewis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Isadora Duncan, Peggy Guggenheim and Truman Capote.

Natalie Clifford Barney knew she was a lesbian by age 12. Her life and love inspired characters in at least 12 books. Idylle Saphique, by French courtesan Liane de Pougy, recounted the affair between de Pourgy and Barney. This book was reprinted 69 times in its first year of publication alone.

Barney also was the inspiration for the persona Valerie Seymour in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall.

Front side of marker Click for closer view and text.

The Gay Ohio History Initiative, along with project partners of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center and The Living Beatitudes Community, raised $2,300.00 to pay for the bronze marker to memorialize the literary giant, Natalie Clifford Barney.

A dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, October 25th from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in Cooper Park, adjacent to the Dayton Metro Public Library. Representatives from the City of Dayton, The Ohio Historical Society, The Gay Ohio History Initiative, The Greater Dayton LGBT Center and The Living Beatitudes Community were on hand.

Back side of marker Click for text and closer view.

Immediately following the dedication ceremony, a presentation of Natalie Barney’s life and works was held in the Library’s auditorium, led by Leon Bey. The presentation included dramatic readings from her epigrams and poetry. Refreshments, reminiscent of the food served in the Barney Salons held in her Paris home, was served.

For more information about the marker dedication, contact John Zimmerman at john.zimmerman@mvfairhousing.com or (937) 313-7813. For more information on the life and times of Natalie Clifford Barney, contact Leon Bey at grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com or (937) 274-4749

Natalie Clifford Barney Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009
Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Cooper Park and Dayton Metro Library, St. Clair at Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402
AGENDA
2 p.m. Dedication Ceremony on Cooper Park Site

Speakers:

2:30 p.m. Program highlighting the life and works of Natalie Clifford Barney
3:00 p.m. Refreshments in the style of a Barney Salon in her Parisian home