Maggie Walker Day of Service 2025

Please join the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and the National Parks Service - Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site for a morning of community service, commemorating the birthday of Maggie Lena Walker. 

Born July 15, 1864, Maggie Walker is one of Richmond's most beloved community advocates and civic leaders. Owner and operator of The St. Luke Emporium department store, and publisher of the St. Luke Herald newspaper, Mrs. Walker was also famously the first Black woman in the United States to found a bank. St. Luke Penny Savings Bank was an early 20th Century symbol of the strength of the Jackson Ward community - a neighborhood with Black businesses, churches, and schools that flourished in spite of the Jim Crow laws of the era. Devoted to a life of service, Maggie Walker's belief that through the power of mutual support and solidarity, a community could greatly advance civil rights, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for themselves and their neighbors. 

In that same spirit of service to the community, please join us on Saturday, July 19th to recognize and honor Walker's legacy of building community in Richmond's Jackson Ward neighborhood. Various service projects will be held around the area from 8:30 AM until 11 AM - all volunteers are to initially report to the Maggie Walker Historic Site (starting at 8am) to sign in and recieve their gloves and equipment, later be lead to their project sites by Parks staff.    

Registration begins at 8am at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, located at 600 North 2nd Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Gardening at Abner Clay Park 

Volunteers will be assisting Parks staff in caring for the planter beds and areas around the gazeebo in Abner Clay Park. Tasks will include pulling weeds, applying new mulch, and removing debris. Some lifting and hauling (max. 50 lbs) will be required, as well as kneeling, stooping, bending and reaching. Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gardening gloves if preferred. Please bring a refillable water bottle, and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended! 

Litter Pickup in Jackson Ward  

Volunteers will be assisting Parks staff in picking up litter throughout the Jackson Ward neighborhood. Some lifting and hauling (max. 50 lbs) will be required, as well as kneeling, stooping, bending and reaching. Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own work gloves if preferred. Please bring a refillable water bottle, and wear sturdy closed toe shoes. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended! 

Additional details will be emailed after sign-up