Villa Lewaro facts for kids
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Villa Lewaro
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| Location | North Broadway, Irvington, New York |
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| Built | 1916–1918 |
| Architect | Vertner Tandy |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001289 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | May 11, 1976 |
Villa Lewaro is a large, beautiful house with 34 rooms. It is about 20,000 square feet in size. You can find it in Irvington, New York, which is about 30 miles north of New York City. This amazing home was built between 1916 and 1918. It was designed in the Italianate style by an architect named Vertner Tandy. The house was built for A’lelia Walker and her famous mother, Madam C. J. Walker. Madam C.J. Walker also had another home and business office in Harlem, New York City, called the Dark Tower.
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The Story of Villa Lewaro
Madam C.J. Walker's Dream Home
From 1918 to 1919, Villa Lewaro was the home of Madam C. J. Walker. She was an amazing African-American businesswoman and a kind person who gave a lot to others. She also worked hard to make social changes. Madam C.J. Walker was the first woman in the United States to become a millionaire by starting her own business. She became one of the richest self-made women in America. Her wealth came from creating and selling special beauty and hair products for black women.
The mansion was designed by Vertner Tandy. He was the first African-American architect to be officially recognized in New York. Many people think Villa Lewaro is one of his best designs. Building the house cost about $250,000 between 1916 and 1918. It was filled with very fancy furniture and decorations. The name "Villa Lewaro" was thought up by a famous singer, Enrico Caruso. He used the first two letters of each word in "Lelia Walker Robinson," which was the name of Madam Walker's daughter, A'Lelia Walker.
A Place for Important Meetings
Villa Lewaro was used as a special place for discussions about race relations. It was also a meeting spot for important people involved in the Harlem Renaissance. This was a time when African-American art, music, and literature became very popular. Famous people like W. E. B. Dubois and Langston Hughes visited the house.
Madam C. J. Walker passed away in 1919 at Villa Lewaro. Her daughter, A'Lelia Walker, inherited the house and owned it until she died in 1931. She left the house to the NAACP, a civil rights organization. However, during the Great Depression, it was hard to pay the taxes and keep up the large house. So, the family and the NAACP decided to sell the property and share the money.
A group called the Companions of the Forest in America bought the estate. They turned it into the Anne E. Poth Home, a place for members who were recovering from illness or were elderly. In 1976, the house became a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the country. Since the mid-1980s, it has been a private home again.
New Owners and Future Plans
In 1993, Harold Doley bought Villa Lewaro. He started Doley Securities, which is the oldest investment banking firm in the U.S. owned by an African-American. The Doleys worked hard to fix up the house. They updated the heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. They even rebuilt the roof using materials from the original company. They also restored the beautiful paintings on the walls in the dining and music rooms.
Mr. Doley hoped to find people to invest money to turn the house into a museum. In 1998, it was used as a special "designer show house" to raise money for the United Negro College Fund. In 2004, Villa Lewaro was added to the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County. This trail includes 13 important historical sites.
In 2014, the National Trust for Historic Preservation called Villa Lewaro a "National Treasure." They started a project to figure out the best way to use the mansion in the future. They thought about ideas like a spa, a technology center, or a place for company events. Some people also suggested it could be a center to learn about Madam Walker and Vertner Tandy. The National Trust wants to make sure the house is protected and not changed too much. They believe changing or tearing down the mansion would disrespect Madam Walker's amazing life.
In 2017, a special agreement was made with Westchester County. This agreement helps protect the house's history and design. The Doleys hoped to keep living in the house even if it became a museum.
Purchase by New Voices Foundation
On December 20, 2018, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that the New Voices Foundation had bought Villa Lewaro. This foundation was started by Richelieu Dennis, who came from Liberia. He owns Essence magazine and started Sundial Brands, a company that makes skin and hair care products. He also bought Madam Walker's original product brands in 2013 and started selling them again.
The New Voices Foundation helps women of color who are starting their own businesses. They plan to fix up Villa Lewaro and use it as a place for learning, training, or special meetings to support their mission. The village of Irvington has special rules that help historical buildings like Villa Lewaro. These rules can give tax breaks if the building is used for non-residential purposes, like a school or for tours.
In August 2021, the New Voices Foundation shared their plans for the property. They want to create the Madam C. J. Walker Institute for Women of Color Entrepreneurs. This institute would offer workshops and seminars to help women of color entrepreneurs. They also plan to hold special events for up to 400 people and offer private tours of the house for up to 50 people. This would allow the public to visit the house, which is a requirement from the National Trust for Historic Places.
One challenge is parking, as the property only has 12 parking spaces. They are talking with nearby churches to use their parking lots and shuttle people to Villa Lewaro.
Recent Events
On July 10, 2021, a fashion designer named Kerby Jean-Raymond showed his first special clothing collection at Villa Lewaro. He was the first African American designer asked by France's fashion group, the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, to show a collection during Paris Couture Week. His show was even streamed live to Paris! The clothing for his Pyer Moss brand included unique items like a dress shaped like a jar of peanut butter and a cape made of hair rollers.
Jean-Raymond said that Madam Walker's wealth was more than just money. He believes that "Black prosperity begins in the mind, in the spirit and in each other." He felt she knew that money alone could not buy freedom or heal past hurts.
The large number of people (700) at the fashion show caused some parking issues. In July 2023, the village approved a special one-year permit for Villa Lewaro. This permit allows it to be used as a "historical, educational and cultural facility," specifically as the home for the Madam C.J. Walker Institute for Women of Color Entrepreneurs. The permit sets limits on events, parking, and noise. It will become active once repairs are finished and the village gives final approval.
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