Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The remarkable life and achievements of this famous early 1900s African-American entrepreneur, first woman bank president in the U.S. and social activist are celebrated here with artifacts, photographs and memorabilia.
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4.5
143 reviews
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DG
Richmond, VA66 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Interesting tour of Maggie Walker homestead with a NPS ranger. Learn about the life and accomplishments of the important Richmond native. Takes about a hour and is free! Give yourself a few hours and take the walking tour of the neighborhood available on the NPS app. Highly recommend.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer M
7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed this visit and tour. We had a wonderful, knowledgeable guide. She answered all our questions and added thought provoking content to the tour. They have done an incredible job of maintaining this home with accuracy. We are so impressed with this place. This is a super worthwhile activity that can be done without spending a penny! There is free parking on 2nd street too! Make sure you watch the offered short film so you have context for the home tour.
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,283 contributions
Apr 2015 • Solo
Visits to this National Park Service unit begin at the visitor center which is around the corner from the house at 600 North 2nd Street. Access to the house is through the rear after walking across the courtyard from the back of the visitor center on a ranger-led tour.
The best start for a visit is to watch the 15-minute video about Maggie Walker’s life at the visitor center.
She was born in 1864 just before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. She was biracial. Her mother was a former slave who was a servant in a home. Her father was Eccles Cuthbert, a white journalist and Confederate soldier. Soon after Maggie’s birth, her mother married William Mitchell, a butler. After the Civil War, Mr. Mitchell became a waiter at the best hotel dining room. One night, he was found dead in the river. Speculation was that he was killed for his tip money. Her mother became a self-employed laundress. Maggie became her delivery person.
Maggie was invited to join the First African Baptist Church. She also joined the Independent Order of St. Luke, a charity to help people in need. Both were to play a very important role in her future.
Maggie graduated high school at age 16 and became an elementary school teacher. She studied business at night school. Like her contemporary Booker T. Washington, Maggie Walker believed that education was the key to bettering oneself.
She married and had two sons: Russell and Melvin. She was involved in African American charities associated with church. She founded St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank and St. Luke's Emporium, a store for African Americans. It was believed for many years that she was the first female bank president; however, recent National Park Service research now holds that in question. Either way, she remains a pioneer.
She was a very successful and creative businesswoman who was also a civil rights activist and a newspaper editor. She accomplished all of these undertakings during the era of the Jim Crow Laws.
In 1928, her legs became partially paralyzed. She remained President of the bank until her death of diabetes gangrene in December 1934. Her son Russell worked at the bank. Her bank is still in business as Consolidated Bank & Trust Co.
As a boy, her son Russell accidentally shot his father to death. Russell died of liver disease. By chance, I met a family member the next day. I asked if Russell drank himself to death due to guilt over accidentally killing his dad. The answer was no; alcohol was just a general problem in the family.
Tours of her house are free.
For those who participate in the Passport to Your National Parks Program, the passport cancellation station is at the bookstore. There is one cancellation stamp. It reads:
● Maggie L. Walker NHS - Richmond, VA
Ranger Ben was very knowledgeable and gave us a great tour.
The ranger gives a guided tour of displays before heading over to the house.
The Walker house was quite upscale. It was in one of the best neighborhoods of its day. About 90% of the furnishings were original to the house. Many of her things were quite opulent.
As is frequently the case with people who are well off, the house was designed to impress. It had a double parlor. The front parlor had Queen Anne furniture, mirrors, expensive fireplace tools, Chinese vases on a shelf high above the fireplace, and a unique chandelier. She received important guests in this parlor. She had a special easy chair on wheels and a footrest built for use in this room after her paralysis. She did not like to call attention to her paralysis. And, she was not one to let this disability slow her down. The back parlor had a baby grand piano, more Queen Anne furniture, shelving that held of porcelain and curios, plus another impressive chandelier.
After her paralysis, she had a hand-cranked elevator installed off the kitchen in the back of the house.
Mrs. Walker’s second floor suite had a bedroom with a four-poster bed, sitting room, kitchenette, private bathroom, and trunk closet. She lived quite well.
Her son Russell’s entertainment room, a former porch on the first floor, had a Victrola and a bar.
The visitor center, exhibit building and first floor of the house are accessible to wheelchair users. Since most of her luxurious furnishings are on the first floor of the home, the handicapped person will get a good picture of Mrs. Walker's home and lifestyle.
I enjoyed my visit to Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
It is a very worthwhile attraction to visit in Richmond.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
The best start for a visit is to watch the 15-minute video about Maggie Walker’s life at the visitor center.
She was born in 1864 just before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. She was biracial. Her mother was a former slave who was a servant in a home. Her father was Eccles Cuthbert, a white journalist and Confederate soldier. Soon after Maggie’s birth, her mother married William Mitchell, a butler. After the Civil War, Mr. Mitchell became a waiter at the best hotel dining room. One night, he was found dead in the river. Speculation was that he was killed for his tip money. Her mother became a self-employed laundress. Maggie became her delivery person.
Maggie was invited to join the First African Baptist Church. She also joined the Independent Order of St. Luke, a charity to help people in need. Both were to play a very important role in her future.
Maggie graduated high school at age 16 and became an elementary school teacher. She studied business at night school. Like her contemporary Booker T. Washington, Maggie Walker believed that education was the key to bettering oneself.
She married and had two sons: Russell and Melvin. She was involved in African American charities associated with church. She founded St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank and St. Luke's Emporium, a store for African Americans. It was believed for many years that she was the first female bank president; however, recent National Park Service research now holds that in question. Either way, she remains a pioneer.
She was a very successful and creative businesswoman who was also a civil rights activist and a newspaper editor. She accomplished all of these undertakings during the era of the Jim Crow Laws.
In 1928, her legs became partially paralyzed. She remained President of the bank until her death of diabetes gangrene in December 1934. Her son Russell worked at the bank. Her bank is still in business as Consolidated Bank & Trust Co.
As a boy, her son Russell accidentally shot his father to death. Russell died of liver disease. By chance, I met a family member the next day. I asked if Russell drank himself to death due to guilt over accidentally killing his dad. The answer was no; alcohol was just a general problem in the family.
Tours of her house are free.
For those who participate in the Passport to Your National Parks Program, the passport cancellation station is at the bookstore. There is one cancellation stamp. It reads:
● Maggie L. Walker NHS - Richmond, VA
Ranger Ben was very knowledgeable and gave us a great tour.
The ranger gives a guided tour of displays before heading over to the house.
The Walker house was quite upscale. It was in one of the best neighborhoods of its day. About 90% of the furnishings were original to the house. Many of her things were quite opulent.
As is frequently the case with people who are well off, the house was designed to impress. It had a double parlor. The front parlor had Queen Anne furniture, mirrors, expensive fireplace tools, Chinese vases on a shelf high above the fireplace, and a unique chandelier. She received important guests in this parlor. She had a special easy chair on wheels and a footrest built for use in this room after her paralysis. She did not like to call attention to her paralysis. And, she was not one to let this disability slow her down. The back parlor had a baby grand piano, more Queen Anne furniture, shelving that held of porcelain and curios, plus another impressive chandelier.
After her paralysis, she had a hand-cranked elevator installed off the kitchen in the back of the house.
Mrs. Walker’s second floor suite had a bedroom with a four-poster bed, sitting room, kitchenette, private bathroom, and trunk closet. She lived quite well.
Her son Russell’s entertainment room, a former porch on the first floor, had a Victrola and a bar.
The visitor center, exhibit building and first floor of the house are accessible to wheelchair users. Since most of her luxurious furnishings are on the first floor of the home, the handicapped person will get a good picture of Mrs. Walker's home and lifestyle.
I enjoyed my visit to Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
It is a very worthwhile attraction to visit in Richmond.
If you found this review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Written May 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FW_travelchick
2 contributions
My husband and I just happened to stumble upon this attraction after a visit to the Black History Museum around the corner and I am so glad we ventured in. This was by far the BEST site we've been in our travels all over the country visiting historical sites. I was in awe of the beautiful features and the upkeep of such an old home. The tour guide was phenomenal, as she spoke passionately about Mrs. Walker and her life. I would definitely come back and bring other family and friends.
Written December 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Choc-chick39
Lanham, MD134 contributions
Jul 2017 • Business
I complained the entire time that my mother made us go on this boring adventure, but it was actually fascinating! Love hearing about the lives of former residents that were dominant in an era where no one thought anything about them was special! If you can appreciate History, Black History, Women achieving in a man's world, then this place is a must see! We also went on the walking tour, and that was fascinating as well!
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbedichek9287
Richmond, VA10 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Great historic monument to a WoC who pioneered against prejudice and fiscal poverty to be a powerful force in her community
Written May 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC24,923 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
I knew nothing about this place before I visited save what I read in the Park brochure. I lucked out and got a private tour of the house from of the rangers. Do not skip the introduction video as it is key to understanding this grand lady. Maggie Walker defied the conventions of the time based on her skin color and sex. She was a teacher, an entrepreneur and a community benefactor. Her history is awe-inspiring and I learned a lot.
Written April 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn M
Fairfax, VA744 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Others have already explained the prominence of Maggie Walker and her importance in American history. I'll focus on some logistical items instead.
First - go! Really great information and visuals. The rangers do a good job of spinning stories about Maggie, her family and her community.
Second - it's free! Free parking, free movie, free house tour.
Curbside parking is available down the street that runs beside Maggie's house.
There are stairs up to the top floor. They are narrow and steep. The stairs down the backside of the house are wider and less steep.
Make time for this visit and you will be glad you did.
First - go! Really great information and visuals. The rangers do a good job of spinning stories about Maggie, her family and her community.
Second - it's free! Free parking, free movie, free house tour.
Curbside parking is available down the street that runs beside Maggie's house.
There are stairs up to the top floor. They are narrow and steep. The stairs down the backside of the house are wider and less steep.
Make time for this visit and you will be glad you did.
Written February 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tanddGaithersburg_MD
Gaithersburg, MD80 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Maggie was a truely remarkable female who was a pioneer for woman. The movie about her life is a must then take the house tour.
Written January 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarylandBAE
Maryland1 contribution
Sept 2011 • Couples
It was really a nice Historic Site. I never knew anything about Maggie Walker before my trip to Richmond. However, my husband and I were very impressed with her life story and her beautiful home. Her home which is part of the exhibit is very well preserved and very, very impressive. I would recommend this Historic site to anyone who what’s to experience the difference that one person can make. Nice small gift shop with great books. Great for kids and adults alike.
Written August 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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