Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

I had some time on my hands one Friday and with my wife’s blessing I used a few hours to drive over to the historic Jackson Ward National Historic Landmark district in Richmond Virginia to visit the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. The block where the visitor center is located still has all its original buildings from the era, including Maggie L. Walker’s house, where this iconic woman lived for most of her life. 

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Visitor Center

The visitor center is actually a set of buildings the National Park Service purchased and converted for its use. The buildings used to hold a store and a restaurant, but now houses the small exhibits, theater, small gift shop and welcome space. To get to the building you need to park on 2nd Street and follow the signs to the courtyard behind the building and the into a back door.

From here you can enter the small visitor center with the exhibits, gift shop and friendly park rangers. You can make quick work of the exhibits inside as they are not that extensive. Note that while you can walk the courtyard and around the buildings, there is not much available for a self-guided tour. To get the full experience and insight into the history of this amazing woman, you really do need to take the Ranger led tour.

House and Ground Tour

The tours start on the hour, and I arrived around half past, so that afforded me plenty of time to read the exhibits, the brochure, as well as check-up on my work email. They started the tour with a 20-minute video about Maggie L. Walker to put her life and all her accomplishments into its proper perspective. 

From humble beginnings to an icon

Born in 1864, still a year before the civil war was to end, to a mother who was a slave. She grew up poor, or as she put it, “On the rough side of the mountain.” She had to help her mother provide laundry services to make ends meet. She grew up from these humble beginnings to establish the first chartered bank in the United States by a black woman, which lasted for over 100 years, start the Richmond chapter of the NAACP, served on boards of local/national civil organizations, was invited to the White House by three different Presidents and ran a newspaper. All this while with the eye of supporting and uplifting the African American community.

The House at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

After the video, the ranger walked me through the courtyard and over to Maggie Walker’s home. I was the only one on the tour, so had a personalize tour, which was pretty neat! Here the ranger explained in detail the parts of the home and related it to the period in which she lived. Amazingly, all but three pieces in the house are original! The house and the belongings were kept in the family and then transferred to the National Park Service when they made it a National Historic Site. 

The buildings behind the large mural in the courtyard are owned by the NPS and used as storage and artifacts. 

Historical Note: Richmond’s Jackson Ward became the premier center for African American business, music and theater and was one of the most prosperous black communities in the United States in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It followed New York’s Harlem Renaissance and was nicknamed the Harlem of the South. In the late 1950’s, the I-95 highway bypass was built through the neighborhood and destroyed much of it.

Not only were the items in the home original, since it was kept in the family, there are first-hand accounts of the placement of the items and stories of life within the home. This gave such a realistic feeling of the household. 

She kept pictures on the walls of the house of her contemporaries who she worked with, such as W.E.B. Du Bois, and Booker T. Washington. Some of whom visited Maggie Walker at the house.

I was truly impressed with the home, and the beautiful neighborhood, but more so by Mrs. Walker’s incredible life. She truly made a huge impact on her community, and I am glad her home and the rest of this area was preserved. If you are in the Richmond area, seek out the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site yourself!

Visiting Tips for Maggie L Walker National Historic Site

• Best Times to Visit: This is a very low volume park site, but weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, giving you a more personalized experience with the rangers. Tour groups are typically smaller Tuesday through Thursday.
• Parking: Free street parking available on 2nd Street. Look for the signs directing you to the visitor center entrance in the courtyard behind the buildings.
• Accessibility: The visitor center is wheelchair accessible. The historic house has stairs to the second floor, but rangers can provide detailed descriptions of upstairs rooms for visitors who cannot navigate stairs.

What to See Nearby in Jackson Ward

Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, known as the “Harlem of the South,” offers several attractions within walking distance of Maggie L Walker National Historic Site:

Historic Sites:

• Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (122 W. Leigh Street) – Comprehensive exhibits on African American history in Virginia
• Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Monument – Dancing statue honoring the famous tap dancer at Chamberlayne Parkway and West Leigh Street

Entertainment & Arts:

• Hippodrome Theater (528 N. 2nd Street) – Beautifully restored historic venue that once hosted Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and other legends
• Gallery5 (200 W. Marshall Street) – Contemporary art gallery featuring local and regional artists

Dining in Jackson Ward:

• Mama J’s (415 N. 1st Street) – Soul food institution
• Restaurant Adarra (618 N. 1st Street) – Upscale dining
• Sugar and Salt (416 N. 2nd Street) – Casual cafe
• KOGI (325 N. 2nd Street) – Korean cuisine

Other Richmond Historic Attractions

• Virginia State Capitol and Capitol Square – Designed by Thomas Jefferson, about 1 mile south
• St. John’s Church – Where Patrick Henry delivered his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech
• Richmond National Battlefield Park – Multiple Civil War sites throughout the city
• The Valentine Museum – Richmond’s history museum in Court End neighborhood

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Maggie L Walker National Historic Site tour take?

The complete visit typically takes 1-2 hours. This includes a 20-minute introductory video, a 45-minute ranger-led tour of the house, and time to explore the visitor center exhibits. The house tour is essential since most of the storytelling happens during the guided portion rather than through self-guided exhibits.

Do you need reservations for the Maggie L Walker house tour?

Reservations are not required for individual visitors, but tours start on the hour so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Groups of 10 or more should call (804) 226-5041 to arrange their visit in advance. During busy periods or special events, arriving early ensures you get on the next available tour.

What are the hours for Maggie L Walker National Historic Site?

The site is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays year-round. The last tour typically starts at 3:30 PM, so plan to arrive by 3:00 PM to ensure you can join a complete tour. As always, call ahead or check the NPS website incase these hours have changed.

Is there an admission fee to visit Maggie L Walker National Historic Site?

No, admission is completely free. Like most National Historic Sites, there are no entrance fees for visiting the grounds, visitor center, or joining the ranger-led house tours. This makes it an excellent budget-friendly historic attraction in Richmond.

Where do you park at Maggie L Walker National Historic Site?

Free street parking is available on 2nd Street near the visitor center. Look for the National Park Service signs that direct you to walk through the courtyard behind the buildings to reach the visitor center entrance. The parking area is small, so arriving early (especially on weekends) gives you the best chance of finding a close spot.

What else can you see in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood?

Jackson Ward, known as the “Harlem of the South,” offers several historic attractions within walking distance. The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia is just two blocks away, and you can see the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson dancing statue, historic churches like Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and the restored Hippodrome Theater where legends like Duke Ellington once performed.

If you are interested in National Park Cancellation stamps and want to hear more about them, check out my post on National Park Cancelation Stamps

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