Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site facts for kids
|
Maggie Lena Walker House
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
Maggie L. Walker House
|
|
 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 110A E. Leigh St., Richmond, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.29 acres (0.0052 km2) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Website | Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site |
| Part of | Jackson Ward Historic District (ID76002187) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002100 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHS | November 10, 1978 |
| Designated NHLDCP | 1976 |
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is a special place in Richmond, Virginia. It is located at 110½ E. Leigh Street in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. This site is important because it tells the story of Maggie L. Walker (1867–1934). She was an amazing woman who made history.
Maggie L. Walker was the first woman in the United States to become president of a bank. Her home is now a National Historic Site. It was built in 1909 by George W. Boyd. The house has been carefully restored. It still has many of Walker's original belongings. You can take a tour of her home with a National Park Service ranger. This site became a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1975. The National Historic Site was officially created in 1978.
Contents
Exploring the Maggie Walker Historic Site
The Maggie Walker National Historic Site is in the northern part of downtown Richmond. It is in the Jackson Ward area, which has a rich history. The site includes six buildings on East Leigh Street. These buildings are 110 A E. Leigh Street, 112 E. Leigh Street, 114 East Leigh Street, 600 North 2nd Street, and 602 North 2nd Street.
What You Will See
Most of these buildings look like they did in the early 1900s. Their insides have been changed to hold Park Service facilities. These include a museum and a visitor center. There are also spaces to care for historical items.
The Maggie Walker House
The most important part of the site is the Maggie Walker House. It is a two-story brick house. It has a Victorian Gothic style. A porch with a sunroom above it covers the front of the house. The inside of the house is filled with Maggie Lena Walker's original items. It also has furniture from the 1920s and 1930s. Walker's family gave the house and her belongings to the United States in 1979.
The Legacy of Maggie Walker
Maggie Walker was the daughter of a former slave. She became a very important African-American businesswoman. She was also a strong civil rights activist. She worked hard to make life better for her community.
Maggie Walker's Achievements
Maggie Walker was a key member of the NAACP. This group works for the rights of African Americans. She is famous for starting the first bank owned by an African-American woman. This bank was called St. Luke's Penny Bank. She founded it in 1902. Over time, this bank joined with other banks. Maggie Walker also helped her community in other ways. She supported schools that educated African-American girls in Richmond. Her work helped many people.
More to Explore
