Estate of Madam C. J. Walker
1918 (photograph 8/1974)
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These images shows Villa Lewaro, the estate of Madam C. J. Walker, in Westchester County, New York, about 30 miles north of New York City. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Madam C. J. Walker was the proprietor of the Walker Manufacturing Company based in Indianapolis, which employed thousands of African-American women across the country as independent agents who sold hair and beauty treatments for the African-American consumer.
There were competing products, but Walker stood out as a brilliant marketer who traveled extensively throughout North America and the Caribbean to build her enormous business. She is believed to be the first American woman to attain a net worth of $1 million, and her large factory building in Indianapolis was a landmark of the time.
Walker agents had a rare opportunity to make a good, financially independent living. In 1917, the Walker Manufacturing Company was the largest African-American–owned company in the United States. Madam C. J. Walker also ran and operated a system of beauty schools.
Walker was born Sarah Breedlove to enslaved parents in Louisiana in 1867. Throughout her life she advocated for equality for African Americans. As America’s first female self-made millionaire, she was a philanthropist who enthusiastically supported Black colleges and universities.
These photographs of Villa Lewaro are part of materials from its nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places. The application includes the following description:
Madam C. J. Walker was the proprietor of the Walker Manufacturing Company based in Indianapolis, which employed thousands of African-American women across the country as independent agents who sold hair and beauty treatments for the African-American consumer.
There were competing products, but Walker stood out as a brilliant marketer who traveled extensively throughout North America and the Caribbean to build her enormous business. She is believed to be the first American woman to attain a net worth of $1 million, and her large factory building in Indianapolis was a landmark of the time.
Walker agents had a rare opportunity to make a good, financially independent living. In 1917, the Walker Manufacturing Company was the largest African-American–owned company in the United States. Madam C. J. Walker also ran and operated a system of beauty schools.
Walker was born Sarah Breedlove to enslaved parents in Louisiana in 1867. Throughout her life she advocated for equality for African Americans. As America’s first female self-made millionaire, she was a philanthropist who enthusiastically supported Black colleges and universities.
These photographs of Villa Lewaro are part of materials from its nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places. The application includes the following description:
Villa Lewaro, Madame C. J. Walker's residence at Irvington-on-Hudson, was designed by the black architect Vertner Tandy and completed in 1918. Tandy...was New York's first licensed black architect. His Villa Lewaro is a stately example of early Italian Renaissance style, skillfully adapted to early twentieth century American architecture. ...During Mrs. Walker's occupancy, the original house contained thirty-four rooms. The most impressive were located on the first floor. These included the 21 x 32 foot living room and the "Gold Room," which was trimmed in gold. The ceilings were decoratively hand painted by imported European artists.
...The story of [Walker's] home...was widely reported through the country by black and white newspapers. ...Walker entertained some of the country's most influential people of both races. ...When asked by her guest why she'd built this home, Madame Walker, once responded that it was not for her, but for her people in order to see what could be accomplished, no matter what their background.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.
National Archives Identifier: 75316112
Full Citation: New York NHL Villa Lewaro; 1918 (photograph 8/1974); National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: New York; National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017; Records of the National Park Service, Record Group 79; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/villa-lewaro, September 18, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Analyzing a Photograph of Madam C. J. Walker's Estate, Villa Lewaro
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