Stafford County Unveils Walker’s Inn Historical Marker, Launches African American Heritage Trail

Hundreds gathered at Stafford Hospital on Wednesday afternoon to witness the unveiling of a historical marker commemorating Walker’s Inn. This once-thriving community hub served as a social and cultural landmark for African Americans in Stafford County during the mid-20th century.

The dedication ceremony, part of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail initiative, brought together descendants of the Walker family, local leaders, historians, and community members to celebrate the long-overdue recognition of Walker’s Inn and its role in Stafford’s Black history.

The event was a testament to the power of memory and preservation, featuring powerful speeches from Xavier Richardson, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, and Connie Hilker, President of the Stafford Historical Society.

A Gathering Place for Generations

According to the historical marker outside the hospital, Walker’s Inn, founded in 1941 by Andrew “Norfolk” Walker and Rosie Tyler Walker, was more than just a restaurant—it was a beacon of joy and resilience during segregation.

Located on what is now Stafford Hospital’s campus, the inn served Black soldiers from Quantico and Fort A.P. Hill and families from Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and beyond. It hosted legendary musicians like B.B. King and Dinah Washington, providing a rare and cherished space for African Americans to dance, celebrate, and build community.

Xavier Richardson, a Fredericksburg native, spoke of the profound regional impact of Walker’s Inn.

“I always knew about Walker’s Inn. I’m 67 years old, so I was never old enough to go to Walker’s Inn. But thank God, on this day, at 67 years old, I finally made it to Walker’s Inn,” he said to applause.

Though he never visited the inn in its heyday, he recounted how it drew people from across the region.

“Even though it was Stafford, people came from all over to party at Walker’s Inn. So I was told. I heard it vicariously. But I’m so proud that this is a part of the history of Stafford, and it’s being recognized as a part of the history of Stafford. And most importantly, that it’s a part of the history of this place—Stafford Hospital.”

Richardson also emphasized that the community owns Stafford Hospital, just as it now owns the story of Walker’s Inn.

“Do you know who owns Stafford Hospital? Look in the mirror. It’s you. We are a non-profit organization. We belong to the residents of this community. I want you to feel that every time you walk through the halls, that you own a piece of this place.”

Introducing the African American Heritage Trail

The Walker’s Inn marker is one of 24 stops along the newly launched Stafford County African American Heritage Trail, a self-guided digital and mobile tour that highlights the contributions of African Americans throughout three centuries of history.

Hilker formally introduced the trail at the event, expressing her excitement and personal connection to the project.

“This project perfectly fits into the mission at the Stafford County Historical Society, as we continue to collect stories of people and places in Stafford, to research and document the facts of those stories with primary sources, to collect supporting material like photos and artifacts to further enhance those stories,” Hilker said.

The trail highlights key moments in Stafford’s Black history, from:

• Stories of enslavement and resistance at 18th and 19th-century plantations
• The self-emancipation of thousands of enslaved people crossing the Rappahannock River to Union encampments in the 1860s
• The emergence of Black churches as centers of community and hope
• Mid-20th-century entertainment and social hubs like Walker’s Inn

“History Is Not Static”

Hilker grew emotional as she spoke about the story of Anthony Burns, an enslaved man who was held at Hartwood, Virginia, before escaping to Boston, where he became a national symbol of the abolitionist movement. She emphasized how new historical discoveries continue to reshape Stafford’s story.

“This is just one example to show that history is not a static thing. It grows and evolves as new sources are discovered and as existing stories are reexamined in the context of these discoveries,” she said.

Hilker also underscored the urgency of preserving marginalized histories, particularly in light of recent efforts to erase records of minority communities at the national level.

“With this trail, we honor the African Americans of Stafford by featuring the stories of their lives and accomplishments. And I believe it is the digital version of ‘Say Their Name.’”