Multi-million dollar New York Mansion built by black woman who was America’s first female self-made millionaire goes on sale – sparking fears it’ll be ruined by a developer100 years ago Madam CJ Walker built a mansion called ‘Villa Lewaro’ for $250,000 in Irvington, New York
Current residents are getting ready to move, and preservationists worry about the home’s future
Significantly altering the home would be a blow to Walker’s achievements as she was the first self-made female millionaire, and also the daughter of slaves
Before her death at 51, she was an active member of the NAACP and a face of the Harlem renaissance
It has been 100 years since Madam CJ Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire, built a mansion in Irvington, New York. However, the home is now in jeopardy. It has been granted landmark status, but preservationists worry about the home’s future as the current residents prepare to move.
‘Even though it’s a national Historic Landmark, there’s no oversight or review to stop an external agency to propose changes to the building,’ Brent Leggs, a senior field officer at the National Trust for Historic Preservation told the New York Post.
It has been 100 years since Madam CJ Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire, built a mansion in Irvington, New York
However, the home is now in jeopardy. It has been granted landmark status, but preservationists worry about the home’s future as the current residents prepare to move
A former wash-woman born from slaves, Walker made her fortune launching a line of hair-care products marketed specifically for black women
The 34-room Italianate manse in a neighborhood that was also home to the Astors and Rockefellers was dubbed Villa Lewaro, and was the pinnacle of Madam Walker’s achievements, reported the Post
He explained that significantly altering it would be a blow to Walker’s achievements, as it’s one of the most important women’s history sites in the country, specifically for African American women.
A former wash-woman born from slaves, Walker made her fortune launching a line of hair-care products marketed specifically for black women.
The 34-room Italianate manse in a neighborhood that was also home to the Astors and Rockefellers was dubbed Villa Lewaro, and was the pinnacle of Madam Walker’s achievements, reported the Post.
Significantly altering the home would be a blow to Walker’s achievements as it is one of the most important women’s history sites in the country, especially for African American women
A $25,000 Estey organ that Walker had installed in her home regardless of the fact that she never learned how to play a musical instrument. It was in the home’s music room, and was an astronomical cost at the time
When Walker first bought the property, Hudson river town’s residents thought it impossible that a black woman could afford build an Italianate manse right on the main road, but they were proven wrong
Walker had it in her will that after Lelia’s death the house would go to the NAACP, but property taxes and costs associated with the home were too much for the organization. They sold it in 1932, and it became a retirement home for 40 years
She was only able to live in her estate for a year before she died due to kidney failure at 51, and her daughter Lelia took it over following her mother’s death.
Walker had it in her will that after Lelia’s death the house would go to the NAACP, but property taxes and costs associated with the home were too much for the organization. They sold it in 1932, and it became a retirement home for 40 years.
The owners of the retirement home did not make many changes, but didn’t keep it up either, according to the Post.
Helena Doley, the current owner who has lived in the house for nearly 25 years, said she cried when she first set foot on the property.