Maggie L. Walker’s National Historic Site, 110 1/2 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Maggie L. Walker’s House, 110 1/2 East Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia, USA. Walker’s house sat squarely in the center of ‘Quality Row’, a residential block of African American lawyers, doctors, ministers, and bankers in Jim Crow Richmond’s Jackson Ward. The residence at 110 1/2 East Leigh Street was built in 1883. The address was a prime location in the heart of Jackson Ward, the center of Richmond’s African American business and social life at the turn of the century. The Walkers purchased the house in 1904 and soon began making changes. Central heating and electricity were added, and with the addition of several bedrooms and enclosed porches, the home increased from 9 to 28 rooms. In 1928 an elevator was added in the rear of the house to provide Mrs. Walker access to the second floor. The Walker family owned the home until 1979, when it and all the contents were purchased by the National Park Service. Her community of Jackson Ward, a National Historic Landmark District, continues to exemplify the success of African American entrepreneurship