In 2001, while I was working with the Historical Society of Washington and the Discovery Channel Store, I launched this tour company with our first tour "The Ghost Story Tour of Washington". The culmination of years of research, years of writing and months of nail-biting. Would anyone want to see history dramatized on the sidewalks of Washington? And where would the actors change costumes? Would a scene set in the 1850's be believable outdoors surrounded by street traffic? So many questions and yet somehow, it all came together. Oh there were missteps to be sure. The burlap bags donated by a local coffee house to hide costumes in turned out to be an itchy disaster. The rubber chicken that smelled of candy was used liberally in any scenes that called for food.The corsets were an extremely bad idea in the heat of Summer. On more than one occasion I forgot to give the key to the "dressing room" to the actors before a tour. Ooops. But they were and are, an extremely good-natured lot. Without their amazing talent it would not have been a success. I think you will find these tours delightful. History, drama and the amazing stories enrich the experience that is Washington. !

Inspirations...

I first met many of the Historic Strolls actors while running a program called “Samantha at the Heurich House Museum, an American Girls Program at the old Historical Society of Washington site in Dupont Circle. "Samantha" was directed by the brilliant Dale Jones, a truly gifted director. This show, begun in 1997 is no longer in existence but is remembered fondly by me as my first experience at interactive theater. We were just one of several historic sites in the USA where you could “visit” with characters from the American Girls books. Our show featured Samantha Parkington’s Aunt Cornelia and a character based on an actual former resident of the Heurich House Museum , the orphaned maid, Lena . I originated the character of the Victorian servant, Lena in the show and soon was playing both this immigrant “below-stairs” character and Samantha Parkington's suffragist aunt, “Aunt Cornelia”. Some days I would find myself gliding gracefully up a staircase instructing young girls to “hold their heads high” and other times I was tooting “begging' yer pardon, miss, but the tea is ready”. It did get a bit schizophrenic after awhile and thus, the corps of Aunt Cornelia's/ Lena's was formed. Donna Birchard and I interviewed dozens of actresses for the parts, seeking someone who could work with children and adults and create a believable 1904 character. Actresses came from all disciplines of theatre and they were an interesting crew. The first “Ghost Tour” ever produced by me featured former “Samantha” actors exclusively and many of the actors you see on the character page have experienced life as a Victorian. It was fun, when it wasn't too hot in that un- air conditioned house, surrounded by sticky and tempting peti-fours and I certainly learned a lot about children from the hundreds and hundreds of girls (and some boys) who passed a bit of 1904 time in our care. And I will always remember one child in particular who squeezed my hand and said “time traveling is so much fun, isn't it?” Yes, my dear, yes it is….

After the show had been running for awhile, Dale also asked me to appear in a new walking tour that was being drafted. I had never led a walking tour and could not imagine myself taking history out onto the streets of Washington. But Dale's confidence was inspirational .I became a licensed tour guide and actually assisted in the development of the tour, which for me, was as exciting as leading it. I had discovered a new country. Soon I was running both the Samantha Program and the new Tour "Discover Historic Downtown DC". Every day, I was running from the Discovery Channel Store at 7th and F Streets NW (gone!) to the Christian Heurich House Museum in Dupont Circle, changing from an "Urban Safari" outfit (Those Discovery Channel clothes were virtually indestructible) into my Victorian-wear. Mornings were occupied leading the Discovery Tour or standing next to the T-Rex Cast in the store, answering questions. Afternoons were spent trying to figure out where to get frozen petit-fours that didn't taste like cardboard and keeping the actors time sheets in order and mending the costumes. And in my spare time, I decided to add something extra. I obtained permission to start a program at the Historical Society with actors as historical characters for events. I dubbed it "What's Past is Prologue". The first appearance of actors was at an event that featured the City Council and the Mayor of Washington DC, Anthony Williams. The actors were Gale Munro, a wonderful actress, as Miss Clara Barton and the award winning actor, Fred Strother (currently on Broadway) as Frederick Douglass. Upon meeting "Clara Barton", the mayor quipped that she didn't look bad for someone that had been dead that long. Ms Barton returned serve by telling the Mayor that he didn't look bad himself! He roared with laughter and the evening was a success. And, in 1998, the curator then at the Historical Society, Adrienne De Armas, suggested I write and direct a ghost tour of the Heurich Mansion. I researched and wrote, found costumes and directed it and it was a smash hit. I had the ghost bug. For the next few years I produced a ghost tour for the Historical Society and also The Octagon House, Decatur House and Sewall-Belmont House.What's Past is Prologue didn't last long but it planted the seed that became Historic Strolls later. Since then We've sent Alexander Hamilton to Capitol Hill and Dolley Madison to the Hay Adams Hotel. We've provided characters for The National Air and Space Museum's 50 years in Space exhibit,The National Air and Space Museum's "Space Day",NASM's "Mr. Lincoln's Air Force": the 150th anniversary of Professor Lowe's Balloon Flight, and Hispanic Heritage Month event.