Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Legacy on Leigh Street
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 11, 2016
1. A Legacy on Leigh Street Marker
Inscription.
A Legacy on Leigh Street. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. This Italianate mansion was once the bustling home of pioneering African American entrepreneur Maggie Lena Walker (1864- 1934). Walker lived here for the final thirty years of her life and greatly expanded the home to accommodate four generations of her family. Walker’s opulent home, and those of her successful neighbors, earned the 100 block of East Leigh Street the nickname “Quality Row.” Walker’s family continued to care for the house long after her death. Today, visitors can experience the home just as Walker intended it: a place of inspiration where all are welcome., Visiting her home , Walker's exquisitely decorated home reflected her significant achievements, and most of the furnishings currently on display belonged to her. Guided tours are available during operating hours. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/mawa, (sidebar) , Queen of Quality Row , Maggie L. Walker rose to national prominence as a crusader for racial justice, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. As the leader of the Independent Order of St. Luke, a large black fraternal order, Walker chartered the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903. She became the nation’s first African American female bank president., “Mrs. Walker is considered one of the outstanding women of her race and is sometimes referred to as ‘the Queen of Negro fraternal leaders’ and ‘the phenomenon in banking circles.’ , Lester Walton, The New York World, 1924, (captions) , (lower left) Walker purchased her house in 1904 from an African American physician named Robert E. Jones (in carriage). She added the columned porch in 1922, giving the home the stately appearance you see today., (upper right) Maggie Lena Walker, ca. 1905 . This historical marker was erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. It is in Richmond Virginia
This Italianate mansion was once the bustling home of pioneering African American entrepreneur Maggie Lena Walker (1864- 1934). Walker lived here for the final thirty years of her life and greatly expanded the home to accommodate four generations of her family. Walker’s opulent home, and those of her successful neighbors, earned the 100 block of East Leigh Street the nickname “Quality Row.” Walker’s family continued to care for the house long after her death. Today, visitors can experience the home just as Walker intended it: a place of inspiration where all are welcome.
Visiting her home
Walker's exquisitely decorated home reflected her significant achievements, and most of the furnishings currently on display belonged to her. Guided tours are available during operating hours. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/mawa
(sidebar) Queen of Quality Row
Maggie L. Walker rose to national prominence as a crusader for racial justice, women’s rights, and economic empowerment. As the leader of the Independent Order of St. Luke, a large black fraternal order, Walker chartered
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 11, 2016
2. Maggie L. Waker National Historic Site
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the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903. She became the nation’s first African American female bank president.
“Mrs. Walker is considered one of the outstanding women of her race and is sometimes referred to as ‘the Queen of Negro fraternal leaders’ and ‘the phenomenon in banking circles.’
Lester Walton, The New York World, 1924
(captions)
(lower left) Walker purchased her house in 1904 from an African American physician named Robert E. Jones (in carriage). She added the columned porch in 1922, giving the home the stately appearance you see today.
(upper right) Maggie Lena Walker, ca. 1905
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 37° 32.863′ N, 77° 26.261′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. Marker is on East Leigh Street (Virginia Route 33) west of North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 N 2nd St, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2016, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.