"Walker Home" by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
Maggie L. Walker
National Historic Site - Virginia
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is located at 110½ E. Leigh Street on "Quality Row" in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. The National Historic Site was established in 1978 to tell the story of the life and work of Maggie L. Walker (1867-1934), the first woman to serve as president of a bank in the United States. It was built by George W. Boyd, father of physician, Sarah Garland Boyd Jones.
Bicycle Map of Virginia. Published by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
https://www.nps.gov/mawa/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_L._Walker_National_Historic_Site
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is located at 110½ E. Leigh Street on "Quality Row" in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. The National Historic Site was established in 1978 to tell the story of the life and work of Maggie L. Walker (1867-1934), the first woman to serve as president of a bank in the United States. It was built by George W. Boyd, father of physician, Sarah Garland Boyd Jones.
Maggie Lena Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress. Today, Walker’s home is preserved as a tribute to her enduring legacy of vision, courage, and determination.
Coming west on I-64, take exit 75 to 3rd street, turn right on Leigh St., park on 2nd street. Coming south on I-95, take exit 79 east onto I-64 east to Norfolk, then follow directions coming from the west. Coming east on I-64, take exit 190 to 5th St., Downtown, continue straight on 5th St., turn right on Jackson St., left on 3rd St., right on Leigh St., then right on 2nd St. Coming north on I-95, take exit 76A for Chamberlayne Ave, turn left on Chamberlayne Pkwy, left on Leigh St., then left on 2nd St.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center with indoor exhibits and park store is now open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Guided tours of Walker's home begin here and are offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Coming west on I-64, take exit 75 to 3rd St., turn right on Leigh St., park on 2nd St. Coming south on I-95, take exit 79 east onto I-64 East to Norfolk, then follow directions coming from the west. Coming east on I-64, take exit 190 to 5th St., Downtown, continue straight on 5th St., turn right on Jackson St., left on 3rd St., right on Leigh St., then right on 2nd St. Coming north on I-95, take exit 76A for Chamberlayne Ave., turn left on Chamberlayne Pkwy, left on Leigh St., then left on 2nd St.
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Maggie L. Walker's home and adjacent buildings
Maggie L. Walker's stately home was located on a street dubbed "Quality Row."
The Back Parlor of the Historic Walker Home
The back parlor with piano, couch, floor lamp and fireplace
The back parlor served as an entertainment location for the Walker family
The Library of the Walker House
A room with a wall of full bookcases, chairs and several diplomas on the wall
The Library served as both a relaxing place and a work place for Mrs. Walker
The Maggie L. Walker Visitor Center
3 red brick, two-story buildings, with a US flag flying and an overcast sky
The Maggie L. Walker Visitor Center serves as a gateway into Mrs. Walker's life in Jackson Ward
Veteran Story: Daniel Hodgson
Daniel Hodgson retired as a master chief from the U.S. Navy after a career as a Seabee. Today he works at Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie Walker National Historic Park as a facility manager.
Daniel Hodgson in Navy uniform
Statue to Maggie Lena Walker Dedicated in Downtown Richmond
Park staff from Maggie L. Walker NHS joined Mayor Levar Stoney and nearly 1,000 attendees in dedicating a statue to the iconic civil rights leader in downtown Richmond on Saturday, July 15, which also marked Walker's 153rd birthday.
Crowd gathers around new statue of Maggie Walker in downtown Richmond, VA
Maggie L. Walker
Maggie L. Walker led the African American community of Richmond, Virginia, in many aspects. She was involved in the struggle for civil rights and maintained her successful banking and newspaper businesses and charitable societies.
Portrait of Maggie L. Walker
St. Luke Herald
This article covers the history of the St. Luke Herald, the newspaper published by the Independent Order of St. Luke.
A historic copy of a front page of The St. Luke Herald newspaper
St. Luke Penny Savings Bank
The St. Luke Penny Savings Bank is the first bank in the United States started by an African-American women, Maggie L. Walker. Started as part of the Independent Order of St. Luke, the bank would survive the Great Depression through the leadership of Maggie L. Walker and at one point became the oldest Black run bank in the United States.
The St. Luke Penny Savings Bank 3-story building in Jackson Ward
Early Women in Banking
The history of women bank presidents spans across the United States. For many years, Maggie L. Walker was believed to be the first women bank president in the United States, but a few other women successfully ran banks before her and their history is captured here to explore.
Anna Martin and two sons at a table overlooking a document
Using Their Voices: Founding Women of National Parks
As we commemorate both the centennial of the 19th Amendment and the 104th birthday of the National Park Service, we’re highlighting a few women who harnessed their public voices to protect powerfully important American places.
National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate.
Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map
Independent Order of St. Luke
The Independent Order of St. Luke was a Black fraternal order led by Maggie L. Walker. The IOSL became the main body through which Maggie L. Walker rose to national prominence as a bank leader, community advocate and civil rights activist.
a group of 40 women in front of a building
Ajena Cason Rogers: Amplifying Voices of African American Women
While Ajena Rogers has had a variety of roles with the NPS, she became recognized for her expertise as a living history interpreter, portraying the lives of African American women at historic sites. In a 2020 oral history interview with the Park History Program, Rogers speaks of the privilege and burden of this first-person technique, experiencing racial dynamics of both past and present, and the family history that she carries forward.
Ajena Rogers in character, in bonnet and apron with a mixing bowl and gazing out a kitchen window.
Staff Spotlight: George McDonald
Meet George McDonald, the Chief of Youth Programs and the Experienced Services Program Division. George oversees projects and programs that involve youth and young adults working at National Park Service sites across the country, primarily focusing on individuals 15 to 30 years old, and those 35 years old or under who are military veterans. These projects generally cover natural and cultural resource conservation. Learn more about him.
George McDonald smiling at Grand Canyon National Park
National Parks Named in Honor of Women
Women’s history is found in more than 400 national parks across the country and still being made today. National parks come in many different shapes, sizes, naming designations, and reasons for being created. Explore national parks that were created and named in honor of specific women and take a closer look at these women’s lasting legacy on American history.
Bust of Alice Paul
2022 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients
View recipients of the National Park Service Freeman Tilden Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation and education by NPS employees.
Two women work with a tree while a young man records audio.
Shaping the System Under President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter oversaw one of the largest growths in the National Park System. Explore some of the parks that are part of the legacy of the presidency of Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th president of the United States from January 20, 1977, to January 20, 1981.
Historic photo of Jimmy Carter walking through a crowd at Harpers Ferry