In this activity, students will answer questions to help them analyze a photograph of Villa Lewaro, the home of Madam C. J. Walker. Students will consider what a photograph of a house can convey about the person who built it.
Suggested Teaching Instructions
Use this activity to practice photograph analysis, or while teaching about Madam C. J. Walker, considered America's first female self-made millionaire. Walker founded the C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company that employed thousands of African-American women across the country as independent agents who sold hair and beauty treatments for the African-American consumer. For grades 4-6. Approximate time needed is 30 minutes.
Begin by using the activity questions to lead students through photograph analysis and a discussion about the details that they observe in the photograph of Villa Lewaro, Madam C. J. Walker's home.
As with any primary source analysis, students should go through the following progression, as outlined in the activity:
- Meet the document.
- Observe its parts.
- Try to make sense of it.
- Use it as historical evidence.
You may wish to draw students' attention to the details in the photograph. Examine all parts of the photograph including the roof and its shape, the shape of the windows, the balconies, the pillars, and the number of floors. Ask what the word "villa" suggests about the house.
Share the following information with students:
Madam C. J. Walker commissioned African-American architect Vertner Tandy to design the house. It was completed in 1919. Villa Lewaro was named by famous Italian tenor (a type of classical singer) Enrico Caruso, for Madam C. J. Walker’s daughter, Lelia Walker Robinson. Lewaro is a combination of the first two letters of each of her names: LE-lia WA-lker RO-binson.
This photograph of Villa Lewaro was included with the nomination form to register it on the National Register of Historic Places, that protects America's historic resources.
Ask students to consider whether the photograph conveys Madam C. J. Walker’s life, her work, and her philanthropy. Where else can students go to find information about Madam C. J. Walker?
To the extent possible under law, National Archives Education Team has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to "Analyzing a Photograph of Madam C. J. Walker's Estate, Villa Lewaro".
