Christmas Open House at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

Date: November 22, 2010
Contact: Mike Litterst, 804 226-1981 x. 30

The National Park Service will hold a special holiday open house at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, 600 N. Second Street in Jackson Ward, on Saturday, December 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  In keeping with Mrs. Walker's desire to share with young people the importance of reading, the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Civic Society will sponsor a book giveaway to the first 100 children in attendance.  Additionally, guided tours of Mrs. Walker's home will take place on the hour and the half hour, showing the house in full holiday dress as the Walker family may have enjoyed it in the early 20 th  century.  Seasonal refreshments will be served.  The event is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

About Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, home of the first African American woman in the United States to become president of a chartered bank, has been a National Park Site since 1978. The National Park Service preserves the home of Mrs. Walker, who was the leader of the Independent Order of St. Luke, an important benevolent association.  In addition, she was also a philanthropist, a feminist, and an early advocate of civil rights, becoming active in many national organizations.  Guided tours of her restored home, located in historic Jackson Ward, are given by National Park rangers at the Visitor Center, 600 N. 2 nd  Street, and open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The site is closed Sundays, New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.  Admission is free.