Maggie L Walker National Historic Site

Maggie L Walker National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

Maggie Lena Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress. Today, Walker’s home is preserved as a tribute to her enduring legacy of vision, courage, and determination.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Maggie L. Walker Junior Ranger Program: The Maggie L. Walker Junior Ranger booklet has 16 different activities to complete, ranging from crosswords and fill in the blanks to poetry writing and more! Each person who completes a Junior Ranger book earns the exclusive Maggie L. Walker Junior Ranger badge to join the ranks of Junior Rangers across the country.
• Tour Maggie L. Walker's Home (45 to 60 Minutes): The Maggie L. Walker Historic Home Tour is a guided tour of the home where Maggie L. Walker spent the last 30 years of her life with her family. The tour consists of the park film and a 40-minute journey through the home exploring both floors and most rooms in the house.
• Jackson Ward Walking Tour (60 to 90 Minutes): The Jackson Ward Walking Tour is a self-guided audio tour exploring the history of the Jackson Ward community in Richmond, Virginia. The tour visits many locations relating to the many individuals who lived in Jackson Ward during the early 1900's, including Maggie L. Walker.
• Eastern National Bookstore: The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site bookstore is located in the visitor center and is operated by our cooperating association, Eastern National. Visitors can purchase books and educational items to enhance their visit to the Walker home and increase their knowledge of the National Park Service.
• Virtual House Tour: The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site Virtual Tour was created in conjunction with the Google Cultural Institute to allow visitors to walk through the home from afar and experience the home of Maggie L. Walker
• Virtual Museum Exhibit: The Virtual Exhibit explores the life and legacy of Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934), civil rights activist and trailblazing entrepreneur. The beloved African American community leader devoted her life to defeating racism, sexism, and economic oppression.
• Watch Carry On: The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site park film, Carry On from the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site traces the trials and triumphs of Richmond's pioneering banker and civil rights activist. Combining the latest scholarship with rarely seen archival images, this narrated documentary chronicles Walker's uniq

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. Group tours by appointment only Tuesday-Thursday.

Getting there

Coming west on I-64, take exit 75 to 3rd street, turn right on Leigh St., park on 2nd street. Coming south on I-95, take exit 79 east onto I-64 east to Norfolk, then follow directions coming from the west. Coming east on I-64, take exit 190 to 5th St., Downtown, continue straight on 5th St., turn right on Jackson St., left on 3rd St., right on Leigh St., then right on 2nd St. Coming north on I-95, take exit 76A for Chamberlayne Ave, turn left on Chamberlayne Pkwy, left on Leigh St., then left on 2nd St.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Visitor Center](): Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The Maggie L. Walker Visitor Center is currently open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for reserved group tours, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., for walk-ins only. Guided tours of Walker's home begin here, with tours on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Weather

Summer is hot and humid, spring and winter are pleasant/mild, winter can be cold and occasionally snowy.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 84 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Maggie L Walker National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.