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Tours
begin and end in downtown Washington and are ninety minutes
long. For bad weather,please call 301-588-9255 day of tour for an
update. For more information, email mail@historicstrolls.com.
For dates, please see the tickets page.
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Ever ponder how Charles Dickens kept Christmas? Find out
on A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington. Led by a
character from A Christmas Carol, this event features scenes from
the book and historical anecdotes about Dickens's visits to Washington
in the 19th century. As we wend our merry way past the actual buildings
that Dickens visited, we'll see scenes from Dickens's Yuletide work played
out in doorways and archways. A portion of the proceeds donated to SOME (So Others May Eat).
To see pictures from
our December 2003 tour, click
here.
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Did an actual
descendant of Charles Dickens appear somewhere on the 2005 tour?
Why yes, Virginia, he did!
Gerald Dickens, the great, great grandson of Charles Dickens in the flesh.
And we welcomed him with a great hurrah!
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Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions
of our childhood days, recall to the
old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport travelers back to his own
fireside and quiet home!
-- Charles Dickens
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Spies,
soldiers, hot-air balloons, officers directing cattle and a real
pistol-packing heroine risking her life to save others. Sounds like the
frontier? Courage! The Civil War in Washington is a walking tour led
by a “citizen” of Washington City during the war years,
1860-1865. As the tour wends its way past actual Civil War era structures
you’ll hear amazing tales of life in our city during this most divisive
conflict in American History. You’ll learn new things about some famous
people such as Louisa May Alcott and Mathew Brady and hear stories taken
from Civil War diaries. You may even meet a few interesting locals during
this unusual tour. Take home a typical Civil War recipe to try at home.
A portion of the
proceeds from this tour will be donated to area food banks and flood
relief
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All wars are civil
wars, because all men are brothers.
-- Francois Fenelon
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New Title: “The Expedition”
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Join
Sir Natalie, the polar explorer and her dog (puppet) "Sir
Hillary" for an exploration of unusual Washington sites such as George
Washington’s townhouses and the oldest elevator in the City. Sir Hillary will bring chocolate
for guests and if you dress as a polar explorer, you could win a fabulously
cheap prize. Wear comfortable shoes as we shall be crossing the Great Avenue on this jaunt!
Meets: Meets at 637 Indiana Avenue NW (Potbellys),
Washington, District of Columbia 20005 at 12:00 Noon. Only $10 adults, $5 under 16
years. Call 301-588-9255 for more info or email: mail@historicstrolls.com
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World War 2 in Washington: Gussie’s
War 
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It's
December, 1941, and Washington, D.C. is in for a big change.
Rationing, scrap collecting, bond drives, and anti-aircraft guns on the
roofs. Five thousand new government workers arriving per month ... and
where will they all live? Socialites, soldiers, spies and "dollar
a year" men are just a few of the people you'll meet on this unusual
tour. Join our new "Government Gal" Gussie as she adjusts to
life in a bustling Wartime city. Learn how to survive on ration coupons,
and how to "use it up, wear it out". Bring a foil gum wrapper for
the aluminum ball or a piece of string for Gussie’s
string ball! “Relive” these historic years and see how they changed this
city forever.
A portion of the
proceeds from this tour will be donated to:
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"I have reported myself and some nurses for free
service at the War Department..." Clara Barton, April 20th, 1861. What was the city like when
Clara Barton lived here? Join Miss Barton and see the city through her
eyes and learn something about this amazing woman.
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Changin' Times: Washington in the 60's
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F. Loyd Wrong is Right: A Stroll through Architecture in
D.C.
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Frank
and Francine Loyd Wrong, America's worst architects, designed
several outstandingly terrible structures (that is, if they're still standing).
Most notable of these is their joint venture "Falling Down". It
did. When asked to comment on this Francine said "I blame Frank".
Frank of course, blames Francine. But they both agree on one thing. Washington, D.C. is home to some amazingly beautiful
architecture, and they only wish they would be asked to design something
for this city. Frank suggests a triangular museum, balanced on a ball
shaped base, balanced on a two inch piece of marble. When asked how one
would enter this museum Frank said a slingshot elevator would be necessary
to catapult visitors into the site.
A portion of the
proceeds from this tour will be donated to Habitat for
Humanity.
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Ah,
Wilderness! A Theatre History of Washington is a walk through Washington’s original “Broadway”. Led by
“actors” from the City’s past and featuring current local talent, this tour
shines a spotlight on the great theaters that have taken their last curtain
call. You’ll hear about Washington’s theatrical beginnings in the
early 1800’s and be astonished at the list of greats that played our town.
You’ll also be able to find out what’s playing in Washington right now, and how to get same
day, half price tickets for many current shows.
A portion of the
proceeds from this tour will be donated to the
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I regard the
theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate in which
a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a
human being.
-- Oscar Wilde
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Bad Olde Days
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Bad
Olde Days (formerly Gangs of Washington) is a
slice of 19th century Washington life that most guidebooks gloss
over but we found it fascinating. Take a walk on the wilder side of the
1800’s on our rollicking look at Washington City’s pickpockets, con men,
“ladies” of ill repute, mobs, murderers and of
course, gangs! On this tour, led by a denizen of “Murder Bay”, you’ll hear the most
astonishing yet true tales and meet some of the “characters” that made
this town notorious. Along the way you’ll learn some 19th century slang
and maybe a card trick or two.
A
portion of the proceeds donated
to the Washington Literacy Council
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Society can
overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a
new gospel.
-- Edmund Burke
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Ready for All Hallow's Eve?
Start with a thrilling alternative to the usual "hack and slash"
movies and bar hops. The Ghost Story Tour of Washington will lead
you through Washington's most haunted locale, Lafayette Square Park, with an entertaining
interactive production featuring the specters rumoured
to haunt it. Walk with your ghostly guide, hear stories, meet spirits, and
take home a sweet treat!
A portion of the
proceeds from this tour will be donated to the Whitman-Walker Clinic.
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If, after I depart
this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost,
forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl.
-- H.L. Mencken
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