Tour of Tours: Notable People of Capitol Hill
Posted on March 22nd, 2021
Notable People of Capitol Hill: Visit the homes of some of the many fascinating politicians, activists, artists, writers, and others who, from the early 19th-century to contemporary times, have made Capitol Hill their home. Curious to know where Barack Obama snoozed while a Senator from Illinois and William Cody aka Buffalo Bill hung his hat? Your guide will show you. Plan on walking about 3 miles in 2.5 hours.
SOLD OUT Tour Times:
Saturday, May 8 at 2pm and 5pm
Sunday, May 9 at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm
Buffalo Bill Was Here
Home of Congressman John Lewis
Have fun exploring the whimsy of Capitol Hill! For the young and young at heart. Tour-goers will be guided through streets and alleys near Lincoln Park, with a scavenger hunt list of fun-to-find items. These include murals, yard ornaments and water features – the special touches beloved by Capitol Hill neighbors. A meet-up location will be emailed to guests prior to the event. Children will be provided with worksheets and pencils so they can “keep score”. Plan on walking about 2 miles in a little over an hour.
From Marion Park to Garfield Park and the neighborhood between them. From L’Enfant’s plans to the 21st century. When Pierre Charles L’Enfant developed his 1791 plan for the City of Washington, he established a network of public spaces, squares, linked by broad avenues. These squares were designated for variety of public functions, including serving as social centers of the neighborhoods. Marion Park is one such square. The residential neighborhood around it, and leading toward Garfield Park, evolved over centuries into a rich tapestry of buildings, old and new. On this walking tour we will share stories of buildings, organizations and people in the area while allowing the youngest tour-goers to enjoy the parks. Expect to walk about a mile. Tour will last between and hour and an hour and a half.
Mike Canning, a member of the Washington Area Film Critics Association, has reviewed movies for the Hill Rag newspaper in DC for over 25 years, writing often on the depiction of Washington in American feature films. His reviewing led to a commission by the Friends of Southeast Library (F.O.S.E.L.) for a book focusing on DC movies, “Hollywood on the Potomac,” published several years ago. In this hour-long walking tour, Mike will lead a group of local cinephiles to a number of sites along East Capitol Street, where he will point out prominent location sites and offer both historical lore and cinematic anecdotes. An easy stroll, approximately a half-mile, lasting about an hour plus time for Q&A.
Visit the Capitol Hill institutions and residences, and hear the stories of a diverse set of people and groups who have stood up for political, social, and cultural change in the area of civil, women’s, and gay rights. Some names are well known, like Frederick Douglass and John Lewis. Others, including Belva Lockwood and John Paynter are less familiar. Robert Pohl, local professional tour guide and author, will lead the tour; he can be found at 
