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Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

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Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

Welcome to the official page for the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Walker National Historic Site with one another. Department of Interior.

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ere. If you do not comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Maggie L. Walker NHS), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Walker may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S.

06/05/2026

Roses were Maggie L. Walker’s favorite flower. So, if you’ve ever noticed the rose bushes in our courtyard, that’s why they’re there. Come for a visit soon and celebrate National Rose Month by enjoying a close-up look at these beautiful flowers in person!

Photo: A rose bush in our courtyard (NPS)

Alt Text: A bush with numerous pink roses in bloom situated behind a black metal bench

06/02/2026

Happy First Ladies Day! We don’t know if Maggie L. Walker and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt ever met, but Mrs. Roosevelt did send Walker a letter.

In 1934, members of Maggie L. Walker’s fraternal organization, the Independent Order of St. Luke, began organizing a month-long celebration of her life and accomplishments. What became known as “Maggie L. Walker Month” was observed in October 1934, just two months before Mrs. Walker’s death. Albert R. Graves, who helped plan the celebration, wrote a letter to the White House asking for a statement in celebration of Walker’s life. A few weeks later, Graves received a note from First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who congratulated Mrs. Walker for having achieved the satisfaction of accomplishing “a great deal” and being celebrated by her peers.

Photos: A typed letter sent from Albert R. Graves to the President of the United States, September 11, 1934; Letter written in response to Albert R. Graves, dated October 4, 1934, from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (NPS)

Alt Text: Two typed letters exchanged in 1934

05/30/2026

Happy International Jazz Day! During the 1920s and 30s, one of the most famous jazz bands in Richmond was the Hardy Brothers Orchestra. Headed by Westley and Henry Hardy, the band consisted of twelve musicians and played an early form of big band swing that became popular in the 1930s and 40s. The photo of the band seen here was featured in Maggie L. Walker’s newspaper, The St. Luke Herald, in December 1929. Six months later, in May 1930, a performance by the Hardy Brothers Orchestra and a speech by Walker were among the many features of a “Mother’s Day” program in Richmond sponsored by the Council of Colored Women.

Photo: Image of the Hardy Bros. Orchestra featured in The St. Luke Herald, December 21, 1929

Alt Text: Newspaper clipping showing a black-and-white photo of men dressed in tuxedoes posing with musical instruments

05/25/2026

Honoring IOSL Gravesites in Richmond #111

in 1938, Mrs. Ella O. Waller – an Independent Order of St. Luke trustee and grand officer of its Juvenile Department – passed away.

Miss Ella Onley was born in about 1868 in Richmond to William and Marth (Wilson) Onley. Miss Onley was one of at least six children. Her parents and at least three of her siblings were born into slavery and had accounts with the Freedman’s Bureau.

By 1900, she and her sister were living in Richmond’s Carver neighborhood where they worked as laundresses. Miss Onley suffered a severe illness in 1902, the type and extent of which we were unable to determine. At the time of her illness, she was described as being “very popular and known by the best people in the city.”

Miss Onley married Benjamin T. Waller in 1903. Mr. Waller was one of eight children born to Absolom and Eliza Waller of Hanover County, Virgina. The new couple first moved into the home the new Mrs. Waller once shared with her sister. They eventually moved just a few doors away to a home they owned and lived in most of their married lives. We found no records to indicate that they had children.

Mr. Waller was a blacksmith, owning his own shop. Mrs. Waller was at times a maid and an agent in a jewelry store. Mrs. Waller was active in the IOSL, being a trustee and the grand officer of the Juvenile Department. She was also a member of the Queen Esther Temple No. 70, Improved Benevolent and Protective Order Elks of the World. The couple were members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Mrs. Ella Onley Waller passed away at home. She was survived by her husband and sisters Estelle and Ida. Husband Benjamin passed away about a year later. They are laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, Richmond.

Photo: Gravesite for Ella Onley Waller, taken by John Shuck and uploaded to Find A Grave in 2017; Ella Onley Waller, ca. 1920 (NPS)

Alt Text: Tall, rectangular-shaped stone marker with engraving design at the top as well as names and an excerpt from a poem below; sepia-toned photograph of a woman wearing glasses and a large cross pendant

05/18/2026

Happy International Museum Day! Did you know that Maggie L. Walker helped preserve Frederick Douglass’ home in Washington, D.C.? Walker was part of a group of Black women who raised funds for the home’s maintenance and preservation starting in the 1910s. Their efforts paid off the home’s mortgage, restored the home, improved the grounds, and funded the construction of the caretaker’s cottage which is still part of the site today. The home has been an NPS site since the 1960s. Visit the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site the next time you’re in the D.C. area and take a ranger-guided tour of the home.

Photo: Frederick Douglass’ Washington, D.C. home (NPS)

Alt Text: A two-story home with columned front porch surrounded by grass and red flowers

05/14/2026

Between the 1910s and 1930s, Maggie L. Walker helped plan multiple events called “May Queen Extravaganzas.” Often held in the middle of May, the events featured large-scale stage productions, elaborate costumes, musical performances, and the crowning of a “May Queen.” In 1925, the event took place on May 11 at Richmond’s City Auditorium and featured “a special solo dance” performed by Mrs. Walker’s seven-year-old granddaughter, Maggie Laura (pictured).

Photo: Maggie Laura Walker studio portrait, ca. 1926-1928 (NPS)

Alt Text: Framed photo of a young girl smiling and wearing a dress

05/10/2026

Happy ! Today we honor the mothers and caregivers who nurture, teach, and strengthen our families. Your love shapes communities and has an impact that reaches far beyond a single generation.

Photo: Maggie L. Walker’s granddaughter, Dr. Maggie Laura Walker Lewis, with her newborn son, John Lewis, ca. 1946 (NPS)

Alt Text: A color-tinted photograph showing a woman holding a small child outside

05/07/2026

Maggie L. Walker’s St. Luke Emporium was well known for selling women’s clothing, but did you know you could also go there for hair care? This ad for The St. Luke Hair Parlors appeared in The St. Luke Herald in 1910 and shows the parlors being managed by Walker’s longtime friend, and fellow St. Luke member, Rosa E. Watson.

Photo: Ad for The St. Luke Hair Parlors in the May 7, 1910 issue of The St. Luke Herald

Alt Text: Newspaper ad for “The St. Luke Hair Parlors”

05/02/2026

Happy Brothers and Sisters Day! Today we celebrate Maggie L. Walker’s two sons, Russell and Melvin. Born seven years apart, the Walker brothers grew up together, worked (at times) with their mother, and even continued living together after getting married and having children. If you’ve got a sibling that’s been a big part of your life, today’s a great day to let them know how much they mean to you!

Photo: Maggie L. Walker’s two sons, Melvin (left) and Russell (right) [NPS]

Alt Text: Two oval-shaped black and white photos of young men wearing suits

04/30/2026

in 1908, Maggie L. Walker wrote a heartfelt letter that was published in The Washington Bee. In the letter, Walker thanked everyone for their support as she recovered from a broken kneecap suffered on March 11. The injury had come as the result of a fall “at the top of my stairway,” Walker wrote, and had caused her “bodily pain and mental anguish.” In response, the public showered Walker with gifts including “the most beautiful flowers, plants, lovely bouquets, elegant presents of bric-a-brac, a clock, pictures, fruit, the daintiest and most appetizing luncheons, luxuries of every sort and kind, without number, coming from everywhere.” “Friends,” Walker stated, “I do thank you. I rise from my bed weaker, doubtless, in body, but stronger in soul determination to do the work which the Master has given me. With your help I can succeed.”

Photo: Maggie L. Walker, ca. 1905 (NPS)

Alt Text: Black and white photograph of a woman sitting in a chair wearing a dress and cross pendant

Address

600 N 2nd Street
Richmond, VA
23219

Opening Hours

Friday	9am - 4:30pm
Saturday	9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18042265041

Website

http://www.nps.gov/mawa

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