maggie l. walker national historic site

I loved the story of how the people joined together to form institutes of higher learning for people of color to excel. The history of how the women at Maggie Walker and the men at Virginia Union joined together to produce some of the greatest preachers, lawyers and mathematicians was very enlightening.

WOW!! This was a really nice historic site. We didn't know much about Maggie L Walker but when we left , we left with an understanding of who she was and what she did for African Americans as well as the country. In school they only touch on who she was and that was an African American who became an millionare by opening up the first charter bank. She was more than that! We took 9 youths from our church, New Generations Ministries to visit her home and once again...WOW!! We learned and saw so much!! All you have to leave is a donation. We will be visiting again soon!

This place is amazing of how it all begin. It seems Mrs. Walker was a very interesting business woman who built her business from "pennies". She had her share of tragedy but she always seemed to reach out and help someone. I had a good time. The tour does not take long.

This is the untold story of business success for a Black American woman in the heart of the South. Her resolve & intellect will be inspirational.

I admit I had never heard of Maggie Walker but I'm glad I learned bout her! Ben Anderson was the Ranger who led our tour and he is clearly well-versed in and enthusiastic about his subject. Ms. Walker is best known as the first female bank president but that is only one of many accomplishments. She led efforts to help others, especially blacks and women, get educated, have quality employment and in general have a better quality of life. The home in which she lived is well preserved with almost all original furnishings. The tour includes a film and exhibit hall to learn about her life, family and accomplishments followed by a tour of her house.

My Husband and I were lucky enough to have a tour with only the Guide. He was obviously well versed about the history and answered each question we posed. I wish NC residents could share in this part of our history. Excellent tour.

This was my 4th visit to the house. As far as the quality of the interpretation it seems to be a crapshoot. I have had two tours in which I could have clearly given a better tour and two solid tours where I, and the group, both learned something new. The last tour was excellent even though the park ranger had a difficult job in dealing with a well informed group. Aside from learning about African-American history in general, or Maggie Walker specifically, the sight is worth seeing for the house itself as well. Best bet is to park along the side of the building on 2nd Street. This will be the actual side that you will enter from. If you are looking for a place to eat afterwards Mama J's is just a few blocks away or if you want to drive about 6-7 blocks Comfort is excellent.

A great place to learn about the history of Afro-American capitalism. A furnishing a wonderful and unique. A National Park Service site so free admission and a gift shop. Short film sets the tone for a personalize tour by site personnel.

After the Confederate White House tour, we decided to walk down and see Maggie Walker's home. I had tried to access the NHP website page unsuccessfully a couple of times through this website. Its an interesting neighborhood as other successful african americans of her time lived on the block. There are signs pointing out where the others lived.

The park service guides were very knowledgeable. Well preserved items. Very informative. A must for students.

Easily overlooked, this site tells the story of the first black woman to charter a bank in the United states at a time when women were not in business and blacks were discouraged from being in business.

Close in to downtown Richmond and the NPS Iron Works is a wonderful National Monument to some one practicing what we need more of, People Organization for Good. The staff we met were extremely friendly and helpful. The movie does a great job of acquainting you with Mrs. Walker and the technology does a good job of setting the stage for the time of her life. I suspect the youngsters would appreciate more splash but if black and white is what you have to work with, why fight it. The message is what is important and everyone needs to hear the message, especially our young people. Park the car on the street and walk in. The actual entrance and visitor center is around to the right and a half a block back from the front porch sign.

what a phenominal piece of history in Richmond Virginia thoroughly explained & displayed everyone should take an opportunity to see this on their visit to Richmond Virginia

Great place to learn more about black history in the United States. My only complaint is that a lot of standing was involved in the tour and I wish I had a collapsible chair to carry around with me from room to room. We had no difficulty finding street parking nearby.

I was in the neighborhood visiting Festival of India in the Richmond Convention Center. I knew about this place and wanted to visit it for sometime. I got off early from the convention center and walked to Maggie L. Walker historic site. It looked small, nondescript from outside. We almost tried to go inside the site from the wrong side (the entrance is from N 2nd St). There were 2 National Park Service employees who welcomed us promptly. One of them asked us if we had an hour or so time for the tour of facility, to which I readily said "yes". We were directed first to a small theater to watch a short video on Maggie L Walker. After that, we started off the tour with just 4 people, and we had around 7-8 more people joining us in 5-6 minutes. Our tour guide was George (if I remember that correctly). He is a very cheerful guy, extremely informative, and engaging. We didn't know anything about Maggie L. Walker going in, and we came out humbled knowing her history, and what she has done, and aspired to do up until her last moments in her life. She transformed the area surrounding this site in those times with her entrepreneur streak and a passion to help people around her. You would be surprised to see that the house has ~33 rooms and it doesn't look that big from outside. I believe ~22 or them are covered in the tour.I would absolutely recommend this site, especially, considering it is free, and you have excellent guide to take you on the tour. Of course, you will have to wait for few days depending on how long the shutdown goes on :-)