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. You are invited to experience two weeks of art, community events, volunteer service, and special tours, exhibits, & presentations commemorating her life and legacy. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site has partnered 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 to host a two week birthday celebration. See the full schedule of events below.
JULY 5 Maggie Lena Walker Memoria Plaza W. Broad St & N. Adams St, Richmond, VA 23220 First Friday Birthday Kickoff 5:00-6:00pm The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia will kick off the Maggie Walker birthday celebration with a gathering at the Maggie Walker statue plaza on Broad Street and an historical/storytelling program and parade from the plaza to Gallery 5. Speakers will include Melvin Jones, for Maggie Walker alumni, Faithe Norrell for the Black History Museum & Cultural Center, and Liza Mickens for the Maggie Walker family.
JULY 5 Gallery 5, 200 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220 6:00-11:00pm Music and MC entertainment on the Gallery 5 stage by the Love Movement, Axt Museum, and Big Fancy Maggie Walker 160th Birthday Student Art Show 5:00-11:00pm Student art show featuring works inspired by the life and legacy of Maggie Walker, by artists from Bellevue Elementary School, Armstrong High School, and the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, as well as other original art.
JULY 9 - 20 Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, 600 N. 2nd Street, Richmond VA 23219 160th Birthday Display Tue. through Sat., 9am-4:30pm The lobby of Maggie L. Walker National Historic site at 600 N. 2nd Street will feature a small exhibit of personal items that belonged to Mrs. Walker, not previously exhibited to the public. Oral History House Tours Tue. through Sat., 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Regularly scheduled guided tours of the Maggie L. Walker house will include the unique experience of hearing actual historical audio recordings of Maggie Walker's grandchildren, describing, in their own words, what it was like to grow up in the historic home. Visitor Center and tour admission is free.
JULY 13 600 N. 2nd Street, Richmond VA 23219 Volunteer Day of Service 8:00-11:00am The City of Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation will commemorate Maggie L. Walker’s birthday by staging a volunteer community service day at the park visitor center at 600 N. 2nd Street. Volunteers will assemble at the park, then be lead by city parks & rec team leaders to engage in service projects in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. Follow the links below to learn about individual volunteer projects and to sign up to participate: Tree Care at Abner Clay Park Jackson Ward Trash Pickup Gilpin Community Garden
JULY 13 Richmond Public Library, Main Branch auditorium 101 East Franklin St., Richmond VA 23219 "A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker: A Woman for All Seasons" lecture presented by Elvatrice Parker Belsches. 2:00-4:00pm Cold refreshments will be served! Free, register for the event here: https://rvalibrary.libcal.com/event/12376274 JULY 14 Sunday, July 14, Elegba Folklore Society creates and guides this cultural history tour as a contextual biography of Jackson Ward luminary, Maggie Lena Walker. Evolutionary from her birthplace in Church Hill to her elevation in Historic Jackson Ward, attendees have the chance to ponder black excellence and community building in early 20th century Richmond in light of its significance today. Meet at Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E Broad St, then travel by bus to the sites. For tickets, visit the website of the Elegba Folklore Society.
JULY 20 Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church 614 N. 3rd Street, Richmond VA 23219 Maggie Walker Birthday Workshops and Market Pop Up 12:00-4:00pm "Money Smart" - Building Legacy "Let's Get Busy" - Building Entrepreneurs Entrepeneurs - 6-18 years FREE VENDOR SPACE Triva Game Bethel Reads, "I Got Bank" Please register for Third Street Bethel AME event at historyroom3@gmail.com |
Last updated: July 10, 2024