While
in Richmond, another historic site to visit that might bring a respite from
Civil War battlefields is the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Managed
by the Park Service, it is also a National Historic Landmark and a National
Historic Site. Located at 110½ E. Leigh Street on "Quality Row" in
the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia, the site was established
in 1978 to tell the story of the life and work of Maggie L. Walker, and to
preserve the restored and originally furnished Walker home.
From
the National Park Service website: “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.” Mrs. Walker was the first woman to
serve as president of a bank in the US, among many other accomplishments,
including what was possibly the first school strike of the civil rights
movement when Maggie’s class staged a boycott to protest the inferior
graduation facilities offered to the Colored Normal School.
The
Walker home was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1975. It includes
several buildings, but the crown jewel is the building Maggie lived in from
1905 until her death in 1934. Our visit began at the Visitor Center at 600 N. 2nd
St. in the Historic Jackson Ward. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this
neighborhood was one of the most prosperous black communities in the U.S. The
banks, insurance companies, stores, theatres and other institutions were all
black-owned and operated, and today Jackson Ward is considered the birthplace
of African American entrepreneurship.
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| The view from the Visitor Center of the 1890s rear-addition to the Maggie L Walker home |
The
Visitor Center faces the courtyard across from the Walker home. Previously these
were all the backyards of the homes on “Quality Row” here on E. Leigh St. The
Walker home expanded over the years to accommodate their growing family and
eventually annexed the entire yard; when the historic site was created the
fences were knocked down, the neighboring duplexes were restored to their 1925
appearance, and exhibits and park offices were installed. We watched a short
movie on Mrs. Walker’s life and accomplishments, and then headed over to the
house for a Ranger-led tour.
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| Lauris found some of the titles on Mrs. Walker's shelves familiar! |
As we
were the only guests on this particular tour, the Ranger was able to tailor his
presentation to the boys interests; we learned about Mrs. Walker’s life in Richmond
through the minutiae of everyday life (ice boxes, washboards and writing desks)
as well as a fascinating portrait of a more intimate nature (old photographs and
Mrs. Walker’s library). Our guide was patient and knowledgeable, and the boys
stayed on their best behavior through the end of the tour when they were
presented with Junior Ranger badges.
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| The boys giving the Park Service Jr. Ranger pledge |
Our
visit to the Maggie L. Walker Historic Site was short, not more than a couple
of hours. However, during that time we received another piece of the puzzle
that is this historic area of Virginia, one that offers a completely different
perspective than that of war-torn Civil War Richmond. We tucked that knowledge securely
away (along with our Junior Ranger badges) and headed towards the James River
for yet another puzzle piece – the Virginia State Capital…
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