Georgetown Small-Group Historic Walking and Photo Tour, DC

Stroll through historic Georgetown with Preserve Tours and learn about the preservation of the neighborhood while your guide snaps photos of you along the way. You'll find yourself immersed in a blend of Federal, Georgian, and Victorian architecture, where every step unveils efforts to safeguard the neighborhood's architectural and cultural heritage. The tour begins in the heart of Georgetown’s shopping district with stops at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Georgetown University, the Volta Bureau, and more. Mel Serravalle worked a decade in an urban planning career before she founded Preserve Tours, curated walking and photo tours that would provide an opportunity to learn about historic neighborhoods and their role in the past and present. As a fourth generation Washingtonian herself, she strives to provide a quality educational experience with a local, fun feel. A portion of the proceeds of each tour goes to the Rosedale Conservancy, a community funded park in Upper Northwest DC.

1. 1

   Georgetown

   10 min

   Historic Georgetown, originally a port city separate from Washington, D.C., was founded in 1751 and incorporated as a city with an elected government in 1789. In terms of architecture, we'll see Gothic, federal style, Greek revival, and a lot of Victorian and Queen Anne Style as well as classic brick and frame row houses. We'll learn how these styles have been preserved and protected over the years while getting some great photos along the way.

2. 2

   St. John's Episcopal Church

   10 min

   Original plans for the church date back to the mid 1700s, but was completed in 1804. It was built by the architect of the capital, William Thorton. After years of growth followed by years of financial problems, St. John’s was closed in 1831, sold and rented as a studio to a German sculptor Ferdinand Pettrich. In 1838, a group of young ladies from the parish raised a sum of money to purchase the church building and return it to sacred use. It’s been a church ever since.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   15 min

   Stop for the perfect photo op in front of classic luxury Georgetown row homes while learning about the Georgetown Historic District and the local preservationists who have worked to protect it.

4. 4

   Holy Trinity Catholic Church

   10 min

   Holy Trinity Church, established in 1787, is the oldest Roman Catholic church in not only Georgetown, but also all of Washington, DC. Holy Trinity Church was founded by Archbishop John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in America and a cousin of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

5. 5

   Georgetown University

   15 min

   Georgetown University is a private Jesuit research university in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., United States. The main building was articulated in the Northern European Romanesque style, containing arches and towers typical of this stylistic revival. Healy Hall is one of the last large-scale High Victorian Gothic buildings in America. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   10 min

   Learn about the local laws that have shaped Georgetown. Hear about a little local zoning and preservation drama regarding a much beloved bagel shop just across the street.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   10 min

   The Georgetown Visitation Monastery was founded by Alice Lalor from County Kilkenny, Ireland in the late 1700s. A school was opened on June 24, 1799. Its still an active monastery with an all girls catholic prep school right next door.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   15 min

   In 1887, Alexander Graham Bell, inventor and deaf educator, founded the Volta Bureau to serve as a library for deaf people and those researching deafness. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.