Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
@stluke-oddfellows.bsky.social
The Friends of St. Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth preserves contextual history of the last structure from historic segregated Blacksburg neighborhood. We honor the community & its mutual aid societies through education, engagement & preservation.
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Maggie Lena Walker and Blacksburg: A Legacy of Economic Empowerment and Community Building
Maggie L. Walker’s leadership in the St. Luke Order and her bank inspired Black communities across Virginia, including Blacksburg, promoting economic independence, civic engagement, and generationa…
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org
Sources on the life and legacy of Maggie Lena Walker are gathered in one place, making it easy for readers to explore and learn: friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
Alvin Duval Lester, raised in Christiansburg, photographed Richmond’s Jackson Ward. His work is on view at VMFA through March 30, 2026. The Lester family includes free Black Virginians, including Revolutionary War soldier Luke Valentine. gatheringafricanamericanpast.org/2025/12/18/a...
Celebrating Alvin Duval Lester’s Photography
Alvin Duval Lester (b. 1947) grew up in Christiansburg and later documented life in Richmond’s Jackson Ward through photography. His 1980s–90s images are featured in Alvin Lester: Portraits of Jack…
gatheringafricanamericanpast.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Alvin Duval Lester, raised in Christiansburg, photographed Richmond’s Jackson Ward. His work is on view at VMFA through March 30, 2026. The Lester family includes free Black Virginians, including Revolutionary War soldier Luke Valentine. gatheringafricanamericanpast.org/2025/12/18/a...
This is a concern, & we hope the two security cameras will deter vandalism at this heritage site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Given high volume daily foot traffic past a site that is rarely open to the public, the potential for vandalism or worse, remains real risk.
December 18, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This is a concern, & we hope the two security cameras will deter vandalism at this heritage site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Given high volume daily foot traffic past a site that is rarely open to the public, the potential for vandalism or worse, remains real risk.
Sources on the life and legacy of Maggie Lena Walker are gathered in one place, making it easy for readers to explore and learn: friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
Maggie Lena Walker and Blacksburg: A Legacy of Economic Empowerment and Community Building
Maggie L. Walker’s leadership in the St. Luke Order and her bank inspired Black communities across Virginia, including Blacksburg, promoting economic independence, civic engagement, and generationa…
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Sources on the life and legacy of Maggie Lena Walker are gathered in one place, making it easy for readers to explore and learn: friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
Sources on the life and legacy of Maggie Lena Walker are gathered in one place, making it easy for readers to explore and learn:
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
Maggie Lena Walker and Blacksburg: A Legacy of Economic Empowerment and Community Building
Maggie L. Walker’s leadership in the St. Luke Order and her bank inspired Black communities across Virginia, including Blacksburg, promoting economic independence, civic engagement, and generationa…
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org
December 17, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Sources on the life and legacy of Maggie Lena Walker are gathered in one place, making it easy for readers to explore and learn:
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/12/17/m...
AMERICAN MASTERS: Maggie Lena Walker Civil rights leader and entrepreneur, Walker led a Richmond streetcar boycott decades before Montgomery and became the first Black woman bank president. Premiered March 18, 2020. AMERICAN MASTERS: www.pbs.org/video/civil-...
American Masters | Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and Entrepreneur
Maggie Lena Walker was the first African-American woman bank founder and president.
www.pbs.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
AMERICAN MASTERS: Maggie Lena Walker Civil rights leader and entrepreneur, Walker led a Richmond streetcar boycott decades before Montgomery and became the first Black woman bank president. Premiered March 18, 2020. AMERICAN MASTERS: www.pbs.org/video/civil-...
Maggie L. Walker’s leadership in the St. Luke Order and her bank inspired Black communities across Virginia, including Blacksburg, promoting economic independence, civic engagement, and generational empowerment. www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
Biography: Maggie Lena Walker
Entrepreneur Maggie Lena Walker transformed black business practices and gained national prominence as the first woman to own a bank in the United States. Read more at womenshistory.org.
www.womenshistory.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Maggie L. Walker’s leadership in the St. Luke Order and her bank inspired Black communities across Virginia, including Blacksburg, promoting economic independence, civic engagement, and generational empowerment. www.womenshistory.org/education-re...
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
"Virginia will now be properly represented by an actual patriot, who embodied the principle of liberty and justice for all and not a traitor, who took up arms against the United States to preserve the brutal institution of chattel slavery." -- @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social apnews.com/video/us-cap...
US Capitol unveils statue of teen civil rights icon Barbara Rose Johns, taking Robert E. Lee's spot
The U.S. Capitol on Tuesday began displaying a statue of a teenaged Barbara Rose Johns as she protested poor conditions at her segregated Virginia high school, a pointed replacement for a statue of Co...
apnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
"Virginia will now be properly represented by an actual patriot, who embodied the principle of liberty and justice for all and not a traitor, who took up arms against the United States to preserve the brutal institution of chattel slavery." -- @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social apnews.com/video/us-cap...
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
Certificate of endowment for the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.8ab
November 28, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Certificate of endowment for the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.8ab
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
The US had 2 Odd Fellows orders:
-Independent Order of Odd Fellows [white] - eg, Poolesville
-Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America [Black] - eg, Boyds
The Golden Crown Lodge #8779 & Isabella Household of Ruth #4467, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, bought this property in January 1918.
-Independent Order of Odd Fellows [white] - eg, Poolesville
-Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America [Black] - eg, Boyds
The Golden Crown Lodge #8779 & Isabella Household of Ruth #4467, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, bought this property in January 1918.
October 24, 2023 at 12:58 AM
The US had 2 Odd Fellows orders:
-Independent Order of Odd Fellows [white] - eg, Poolesville
-Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America [Black] - eg, Boyds
The Golden Crown Lodge #8779 & Isabella Household of Ruth #4467, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, bought this property in January 1918.
-Independent Order of Odd Fellows [white] - eg, Poolesville
-Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America [Black] - eg, Boyds
The Golden Crown Lodge #8779 & Isabella Household of Ruth #4467, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, bought this property in January 1918.
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
The Odd Fellows Building of #AuburnAvenue in Atlanta, Georgia, is a historic building built in 1912 and 1913. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and is still in use to this day. #AuburnAve #blackhistory #SweetAuburn
April 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The Odd Fellows Building of #AuburnAvenue in Atlanta, Georgia, is a historic building built in 1912 and 1913. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and is still in use to this day. #AuburnAve #blackhistory #SweetAuburn
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
Points of Light Radio fellowships with Demetrius Feaster. He’s a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBl...
Some Grand United Order of Odd Fellows history
YouTube video by Points of Light Radio
www.youtube.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Points of Light Radio fellowships with Demetrius Feaster. He’s a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBl...
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
Albumen print of mebers of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.6
May 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Albumen print of mebers of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.6
Reposted by Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
Trophy cup given by the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.1
March 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Trophy cup given by the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.89.1
Blacksburg’s Tadmore Light Lodge No. 6184 predates Council No. 10461 by several years, as reflected in the lodge numbers.
Ribbon for Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 10461 https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2013.180.2.5
December 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Blacksburg’s Tadmore Light Lodge No. 6184 predates Council No. 10461 by several years, as reflected in the lodge numbers.
1907–08 photo of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Sub-Committee of Management and Counsel. Leaders from across the country are pictured. Blacksburg’s council was the Tadmore Light Lodge No. 6184 (1904), two years after St Luke council (Aug 1902).
The Sub-Committee of Management and Counsel of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (1907-1908) https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2018.59.1
December 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
1907–08 photo of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows Sub-Committee of Management and Counsel. Leaders from across the country are pictured. Blacksburg’s council was the Tadmore Light Lodge No. 6184 (1904), two years after St Luke council (Aug 1902).
Lifting up Maggie L Walker’s story
youtu.be/QR3CexPZXEk
youtu.be/QR3CexPZXEk
"Carry On: The Life and Legacy of Maggie Lena Walker"
YouTube video by MaggieWalkerNPS
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Lifting up Maggie L Walker’s story
youtu.be/QR3CexPZXEk
youtu.be/QR3CexPZXEk
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
A4 #ParkChat The entire story of Maggie L. Walker when I visited the National Historic Site (her house) in Richmond. She's absolutely amazing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR3C...
"Carry On: The Life and Legacy of Maggie Lena Walker"
YouTube video by MaggieWalkerNPS
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
In honor of her 161st birthday, today I highlight the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond for National Parks and Recreation Month.
Maggie broke barriers as the first Black woman to charter and serve as president of a U.S. bank. Her home offers a look into her personal life.
Maggie broke barriers as the first Black woman to charter and serve as president of a U.S. bank. Her home offers a look into her personal life.
December 7, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
My community knows the story about Maggie L. Walker. Unfortunately other races pay less attention to the accomplishments of POC.
December 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth here's another unit of the National Park Service commemorating the achievments and legacies of African Americans: The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Virginia. 👇
December 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
This Moment in Black History
Inspirational quote from self-made millionaire Maggie L Walker. BHM
Inspirational quote from self-made millionaire Maggie L Walker. BHM
December 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934) who was a teacher and businesswoman. She was the first Black American woman to charter a bank and become its president
December 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
The young woman who deep in her heart wants to do something and wants to be something and strives to that end will certainly find something to do. -- Maggie L. Walker
December 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Calling our #Richmond #Virginia fans! Learn about Maggie L. Walker this weekend! And takes some pics for #SaveOurSigns saveoursigns.org
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
This exhibit explores the life and legacy of Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934), civil rights activist and trailblazing entrepreneur. The beloved African American community leader devoted her life to…
www.nps.gov
December 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.
7/15/1867 — b. Maggie L. Walker, American business executive, banker, civic leader, educator, author and philanthropist. Founder, St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, Richmond, VA (1903); the first female bank president and the first woman to charter a bank in the U.S. #womenshistory #woc #WomenInSTEM #OTD
December 7, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Maggie L. Walker installed the St. Francis #235 Circle of the Independent Order of St. Luke in Blacksburg in Aug 1902—just a month after Virginia’s voter-suppression laws. @MaggieWalkerNPS reminds us how important this local history is. Our nonprofit is working to bring it forward.