Madam Walker Legacy Center facts for kids
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Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company
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The building in 2016
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Rubush & Hunter |
| Architectural style | African-Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000062 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | July 17, 1991 |
The Madam C. J. Walker Building, also known as the Madam Walker Legacy Center, is a special building in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was built in 1927 and is named after Madam C. J. Walker. She was an amazing African American businesswoman who created hair care and beauty products.
This four-story building was once the main office for Madam Walker's company. It was also a busy place for entertainment, businesses, and community events for African Americans in Indianapolis from the 1920s to the 1950s. The building has cool designs inspired by Africa, Egypt, and Moorish styles. It's one of the few buildings left in the U.S. with this unique African-Art Deco look. The Walker Building was saved from being torn down in the 1970s. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1991, meaning it's a very important historical place.
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Building History
The idea for the Walker Building came from Madam C. J. Walker (1867–1919) herself. She was a pioneer in hair care and beauty products. Even though she passed away in 1919, her daughter, A'Lelia Walker, and the company's lawyer, Freeman B. Ransom, made sure the building was finished.
The building opened on December 26, 1927, as a tribute to Madam Walker. It was designed by a local architecture firm, Rubush & Hunter. The building is shaped like a triangle and is located on Indiana Avenue. This area was a lively center for the city's African American community.
The Walker Building was the world headquarters for the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. This company was one of the first and most successful Black-owned businesses in the United States. In 1910, Madam Walker moved her company's main office to Indianapolis. At one point, her factory there employed about 3,000 women!
When the new building opened in 1927, it had many uses. Besides the company's offices and factory, it included:
- A beauty school and salon
- A large ballroom called the Grand Casino
- A theater for movies and live shows
- A drugstore
- The Coffee Pot restaurant
- Various offices for other businesses
The theater inside the building was a popular spot for jazz music. Many famous musicians, like Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard, performed there. It also hosted vaudeville shows and film screenings. However, by the mid-1950s, the area started to decline as families moved away. The theater even closed for a short time in the 1960s.
Saving the Building
By the late 1970s, the Walker Building was almost empty and was in danger of being demolished. But a group of people in Indianapolis realized how important its history was. They decided to save the building.
In 1979, a group formed a non-profit organization called the Madam Walker Building Urban Life Center. They bought the building from the Walker Manufacturing Company. Their goal was to bring it back to life as a cultural center and a place for new businesses. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The first part of the restoration was finished in 1983, including offices and the Grand Casino Ballroom. Then, a big fundraising effort helped restore the Walker Theatre. It reopened in October 1988. The restored theater shows off the African art designs that A'Lelia Walker originally wanted.
In 2018, Indiana University and Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis partnered with the Madam Walker Theatre Center. They plan more renovations to keep the building strong and offer new programs. The building will also be renamed the Madam Walker Legacy Center. This partnership helps continue the center's mission of education, empowerment, and celebrating different cultures.
Programs and Events
Since it opened in 1927, the Walker Building has been a gathering place for the community. It hosts many events and arts programs.
Performing Arts
The Madam Walker Theatre Center has an annual performing arts season from October to May. Monthly events include:
- Jazz on the Avenue: This features jazz artists in concert. It helps teach the community about jazz as an important American art form.
- Steppin' on the Avenue: This program showcases stepping, a dance form that connects music, song, and dance in African American culture.
- Laughin' on the Avenue: This show features local and national comedians.
- Main Stage Series: These programs include theater, music, and dance performances. Sometimes, international artists are featured, offering workshops and classes.
Many artists stay at the theater for a few days. This allows them to work with the community and participate in educational programs.
Learning Programs
The center offers several educational programs for young people and the community:
- Project MAPPED: This stands for Music, Art, Poetry, Performance, Expression, and Dance. It's a 12-week program for students in grades 3 through 12. Students learn chorus, voice lessons, string instruments, poetry, dance (modern, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop), and more. Each session ends with a performance on the theater stage.
- Crushing the Conventional: This series offers concerts, lectures, and master classes for students, teachers, and parents. It explores different art forms from African and African-American cultures.
- Beyond the Wings: This program introduces high school students to how arts organizations are run. Students learn about arts administration and earn community service credits.
- Arts in Education: This program brings art experiences to students in Indianapolis schools. Artists in residence lead workshops, master classes, and mini-concerts.
- Madam Walker Academy for Girls: This program helps girls aged 11–17 develop presentation skills through workshops and activities.
- Humanities Programs: These programs encourage people of all ages to learn about culture and history.
- Writer's Symposium Series: This program helps people learn about written works and their place in American culture. It features discussions about local and national authors.
- Walker Film Series: This series shows films and videos, focusing on African, African-American, and other minority filmmakers.
- Tours & Living History: The Heritage Center displays information about Madam C.J. Walker's life and legacy. It also shares stories of other African Americans who have contributed to American culture. Tours and small programs are offered by a local living history group called Freetown Village.
Other Uses
The center also provides space for other groups, like Freetown Village and Iibada Dance Company. It can be rented for various events, including:
- Pageants and musicals
- Concerts and lectures
- Auditions and rehearsals
- Movie and video screenings
- Awards ceremonies
- Other community gatherings
Building Design
The Walker Building's design uses African patterns mixed with Art Deco geometric shapes. Many people consider the Walker Theatre to be one of the few remaining African-Art Deco buildings in the United States.
A'Lelia Walker hired the architectural firm Rubush & Hunter to design the 48,000-square-foot building in 1927. It cost $350,000 to build. The building is on a triangular piece of land in Indianapolis. It was designed to hold the Walker Company's factory and offices, a beauty school, a theater, a drugstore, a restaurant, and rental offices.
Outside Look
The four-story, Art Deco-style building is made of reinforced concrete with yellow brick walls. It has an asphalt roof. The triangular shape means it has two main fronts facing Indiana Avenue and West Street. The Indiana Avenue side has storefronts and the theater entrance. The West Street side has a stage entrance and emergency exits.
Cool Terracotta designs surround the ground-level openings. The building's decorations include designs inspired by Africa, Moorish culture, and Egypt, along with geometric lines. The theater's marquee (the sign above the entrance) and box office also have Moorish designs.
Inside Look
The inside of the building is decorated with bright colors and Egyptian and Moorish patterns. The theater is the largest part of the building and can seat 935 people today. It has a big stage with a grand drape, an orchestra pit, and fancy decorations. The stage is even guarded by two Egyptian-inspired sphinxes! The walls and ceiling of the stage area feature designs like African masks, warrior shields, spears, animals, and other unique symbols. The theater also has modern lighting and sound systems, dressing rooms, and a bar lounge.
Besides the theater, the building has other event spaces. These include the Grand Casino Ballroom, the Walker Memorial Board Room, and the A'Lelia Bundles Conference Center.
Lasting Impact
The Walker Building is a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
This historic building is still a key part of Indiana Avenue. It started as the main office and factory for the Walker Company, providing many jobs for Black women. It was also a vibrant center for entertainment, business, and community pride for African Americans from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Today, the restored building continues to honor Madam C.J. Walker's success in beauty and her love for the arts. While the Walker Manufacturing Company is no longer there, the building remains a cultural center for the African American community. It's the only building left from Indiana Avenue's once lively nightlife.
Since 1927, the building has offered performances, educational programs, and a place for people to gather and celebrate. The Madam Walker Legacy Center aims to promote social justice, offer cultural education, and inspire the next generation of leaders. It stands as a symbol of African-American pride.
In Pop Culture
The historic Walker Theatre is mentioned in a song called "Naptown Blues" by singer/songwriter Leroy Carr. It's also featured in the poem "I Am A Black Woman" by Mari Evans.
