Memorial Day Spotlight: Maggie L. Walker’s Family Traditions
Published on May 21st, 2020 by Enrichmond Foundation
All photos, captions, and information courtesy of National Park Service, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
From ExPRT member Ranger Ajena Rogers of the NPS Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site:
According to family remembrances, Mrs. Walker would gather up the grandchildren and their friends on Memorial Day and go to visit Evergreen Cemetery.
One photo shows Mrs. Walker in the family plot with her grandson, Armstead Walker, around 1922. The second photo shows Polly Anderson Payne, Mrs. Walker’s adoptive daughter, housekeeper and close companion. I like how both photos show how well-kept the grounds were and how it was a family affair to visit the graves of loved ones. With the Walker family plot more fully restored now, you can take the photo and practically stand where the photographer stood and compare and contrast then and now. Carrying on the tradition!
Maggie Lena Walker and grandson Armstead Walker III at the Walker family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, c. 1922-1924 
Polly Anderson Payne (presumably) with man watering Walker plot at Evergreen Cemetery, c. 1922-1924
Postcard, woman and toddler, possibly Hattie N.F. Walker and daughter Maggie Laura Walker, handwritten caption on back reads, “Putting flowers on her Grandfather’s grave, Memorial Day” C. 1920-1922. 
Maggie Lena Walker with Hattie N.F. Walker, Ethel Walker, and others at Evergreen Cemetery, c. 1922-1924
Melvin D. Walker, Ethel Walker, and Armstead Walker III at Walker family plot in Evergreen Cemetery, c. 1922-1924