Upholstered Rolling Chair (reproduction) with original Writing Table Rolling Chair

Walker had a special wheelchair constructed to assist her with complications stemming from diabetes. The homemade rolling-chair, unlike her store-bought wheelchair, was a comfortable upholstered armchair mounted to a platform on four wheels with two sets of metal handles and a wooden foot rest. Maggie Walker’s devout chauffeur, Alphonso Robinson, used the handles to lift Mrs. Walker into the house or limousine which she had modified to accommodate her rolling-chair. The most essential addition to the rolling-chair, however, was a detachable wooden writing desk. Determined to maintain her countless leadership positions, Mrs. Walker continued to write letters, sign checks, and draft speeches from the comfort of her portable office. While the writing table is original, specialists at the National Park Service's Harpers Ferry Center commissioned the reconstruction of the rolling chair in 2002 based on original photographs.