News Release
NPS
Subscribe
 |
What is RSS
|
Contact: Stephanie Pooler
Contact: Nathan Hall
National Park Service to Commemorate the 160th Birthday of Maggie L. Walker
Two weeks of tours, exhibitions, and events to celebrate the legacy of Richmond’s historic Black banking pioneer.
RICHMOND, VA.— July 2024 marks the 160th birthday of Maggie Lena Walker, Richmond's pioneering Black banker, community leader, and a woman of faith, hope and courage. The public is invited to experience a series of events over two weeks to include art, community events, volunteer service, special tours and presentations commemorating her life and legacy. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site hosts the two-week 160th Maggie L. Walker birthday celebration in partnership with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Gallery 5, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church.
On Friday, July 5, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will kick off the celebration with a gathering and speakers at Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza at West Broad and Adams Streets at 5:00 p.m.
From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., music and MC entertainment on stage at Gallery 5, 200 West Marshall Street, as part of the First Friday community art walk. Gallery 5 and the National Park Service will partner to host a student art show featuring works inspired by Maggie Walker, created by young artists from Bellevue Elementary School, Armstrong High School, and the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, as well as other original art.
The celebration continues for two weeks of special “Oral History House Tours” at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site from July 9th through 20th. Tours will include historical audio recordings of Maggie Walker’s grandchildren describing, in their own words, what it was like to grow up in this historic home. Tours of the Maggie Walker House will be offered at their regularly scheduled times, Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
July 9th through 20th, the visitor center will feature a two-week exhibit of original personal items that belonged to Maggie Walker, not previously on public display. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is located at 600 N. 2nd Street, open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Several programs will take place at different locations on Saturday, July 13. The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will commemorate Maggie Walker’s birthday with a volunteer community service day to perform service projects in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. Volunteers will assemble at 8:00 a.m. in the courtyard of Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
Also on Saturday, July 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, located at 101 East Franklin Street, will offer a lecture by Elvatrice Belsches titled “A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker: A Woman for All Seasons.”
On July 13, Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church will host youth-oriented financial literacy workshops and a market pop-up from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church is located at 614 N. 3rd Street.
A full schedule and description of all events can be found at https://www.nps.gov/mawa/maggie-l-walker-160th-birthday-celebration.htm and at https://www.facebook.com/MaggieL.WalkerNHS
Last updated: June 7, 2024