historicstrollin

BRrrrrrrrrrr!

2011-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

"Bloomers!" says Mrs Cratchit. Twas cold out there my dears, cold indeed. And Mrs. C forgot her over bloomers on the last tour. I had two pairs of woolies, one pair o' jeans, two shirts, two sweaters, one dress, two sweaters on top of that and one cape. And I am positive that I forgot to get a cast photo at the end. If anyone shot a nice pic of the cast on 12/24, do send it to me and if we use it, ye shall get a giftie from the Cratchits!
Each actor had many, many layers on this year. Our poor Desi and Nicolette each wore about 12 to 14 pounds of costumes during the shows. I was determined to keep these ladies toasty warm and they bore the burden with grace. But now a mountain of laundry awaits Mrs. C. Oh, ode to Joy. 'Tis the glamourous side of theatre! The wooly scarves are on the line as I type, the coats are joining them. And soon the slightly holey silk shirts shall make it a festive party out there. I scour thrifts throughout the tour season for silk shirts as they layer nicely. And if they have tiny holes, who can see it through the gleam of a beautifully nuanced performance?

We had lovely people on all the tours but my favorites have to be the wee ones who brave the chill (and Marley's ghost- brrrr!) to come and cheer on those Cratchits.

Now it's time to sip a tea, write a check to So Others Might Eat, thaw my fingers out (perhaps before I write that check?), and get ready for "The Expedition" which opens on January 7th. Walk off those Holiday calories as we ascend Capital Hill using the world's tiniest climbing rope. See the marvel of the City's oldest elevator, the secret connection to the Empire State Building, where the Star Spangled Banner was first sung in Washington City and much,much more.

And donate to charities my dear. Even a little can help a lot and you'll feel so good inside you may not need chocolate. Well, let's not get carried away, you may still need chocolate. Mrs. C does. But you will feel grand.

A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington | Cosi | Penn Quarter | Washington Events at wusa9.com

2011-12-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington | Cosi | Penn Quarter | Washington Events at wusa9.com

Tiny Fred? Tiny Tim?

2011-12-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

Fun Facts for December: Dickens had a brother he called "Tiny Fred". In 1939, President Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to stimulate the economy. Some continued to celebrate the holiday on the original date and dubbed the new holiday "Franksgiving".

Not so fun fact: It is going to be chilly out there this weekend. About 45 degrees I should think, so dress warmly for the Dickens tour my dears. Mrs. C will be wearing about 4 to 5 layers and will resemble a Thanksgiving Turkey herself. One year, I came the tour in curlers thinking I would have time to pull them out before the tour began. But of course, I forgot and this is the result in the photo at the top. I'm wearing curlers, a snood and two hats. My head was warm indeed!

Here's another year where I am not seen but am wearing two layers as it just wasn't that chilly. We cannot predict the weather so we scan www.noaa.gov for radar (oh, Rudolph with your nose so bright, are you just a sattelite?)

Brrr!

See you at Cosi, I'll be there at 11:45 before each tour to sell tickets and you can purchase them online also at www.historicstrolls.com up until 9:00 am the morning of the tour you wish to attend.

Mrs. C.

Pudding Anyone?

2011-11-25T19:52:00.001-08:00

Well my, my, my,is it Fall already? The actors tell me it is and are requesting layers for Dickens. And layers they shall have! It's off to the fabric store this weekend to find a nice wool flannel for the littlest Cratchit and perhaps something for Mrs.C.? No? Well she can wait until Father Christmas comes. We had some lovely guests for the Ghost Story Tour last month and even on wickedly cold nights too! And then WUSA came on all Hallows Eve and filmed us for the nightly news. My, those ghosts looked chilly! Rehearsals are in progress for " A Christmas Carol" and we've got a new addition to the cast this year as we welcome Desiree Gibson to the Dickens tour. Tickets are on sale now for Dickens online at www.historicstrolls.com and the merriment awaits. And somewhere, pudding recipes are hiding!Mrs. "C"

Brrr! Those Ghosts are Chilly!

2011-10-29T13:23:00.001-07:00

Good Heavens, it's early for snow isn't it? Ah well, we've got to ghost tonight in our wellies and warmest capes. If you have tickets for Saturday, October 29th, and you don't want to come out in this lovely "weather", you can use the tickets on the 30th or 31st. We haunt tonight and Sunday at 8pm and on Monday, Halloween, at 7:30pm.

We'll be dressed in layers at Vermont and I (eye) St NW. This is the White House exit of the McPherson square Metro Station.

We'll be there at 7:45 tonight, if you don't have tickets, you can buy them from the ghost (exact change welcomed with a curtsey :)

Hauntedly,

Natalie

April 14th, 1865

2011-03-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

Can it already be Spring?? Yes it can and we're getting ready for our April event:
"Courage! The Civil War in Washington: April 14th, 1865".

What an unwieldy title that is. But it shall remain until some enterprising person comes up with a better one. On April 16th, 2011, we shall relive the fateful day, 146 years ago, that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. How did it unfold? Who were the players? What is Mrs. Surratt doing with that package? And why is the actor, Wilkes Booth in town? He's not on any playbill, isn't that odd?......

Meet Demetria Parrish, your costumed guide, at 10th and E STreets NW (Cosi) at 11:00am on April 16th, 2011. No reservations needed.

Sponsored by Natalie Zanin, aka www.historicstrolls.com. Since 2001, Washington DC's original costumed, character led tours.

Cratchits! Snow! Whom Shall Triumph???

2010-12-25T18:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight

Snow
Likely
Lo 27 °F Sunday

Heavy
Snow

This is the latest weather from www.noaa.gov a lovely site where you merely type in your zip code and a forecast appears just for you- zounds!

Well, This doesn't bode well at all. The Cratchits are preparing for tomorrow's tour and we'll assess the snow mass early in the am on Sunday the 26th. If you are planning to come down for Sunday's tour, please call 301-588-9255 by 9:00 am a message about the weather and the tour shall be posted. In the mean time, stay warm, eat pudding and dream of sugar plums my dears. Brrrrrr!

Mrs.C and Tiny Tim

Dickensian Weather!

2010-12-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Saturday, the 11th in Washington City (Downtown DC)

Mostly
Sunny
Hi 47

Hurrah! says Tiny Tim. Sunny and forty seven degrees. Bundle up my dears. The Cratchits wear multiple layers on the Dickens Tour. And those little handwarmers they sell at the hardware store are also a lovely addition to your outerwear. This tour is so lively it will keep you warm And after the tour duck into one of the many toasty restaurants in Penn Quarter to warm up. Zatinya at 9th and G (right around the corner) has a fireplace which is wonderful. Poste, inside the Monaco Hotel is lovely and warm inside and the food is delightful. Cosi, our starting point, has a hot, hot bread oven that is lovely to look at. And right across the street from Cosi is the Giffords Hot Chocolate window. There is also Bistro d'OC on 10th Street.

Things to see after the tour: shopping is easy with the Downtown Holiday Mart at 8th and F (you can't miss it my dears!)

More anon,

Mrs. C

What the Dickens????

2010-12-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Yes it is too true, Dickens is about to hatch once again. December 11th, 18th and the 26th. All at noon, all accessible and all so very, very much fun!

Meet Mrs Cratchit at Cosi at 10th and E and witness the wonder that is "A Dickens of a tour, Charles Dickens in Washington"

Courage in November!!!

2010-11-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well the leaves are falling and the long underwear is pulled out of the cedar chest and it's time for the November "Courage! The Civil War in Washington". We'll reenact the War era in Washington City, celebrate the new holiday created by Abraham Lincoln (guess which one??) and take home a holiday war era recipe. Meet us at 10th and E Streets NW (across from Giffords Hot chocolate window on E and the E Street Cinema) at 11:00 am on November 20th. It's a fine way to start the holiday season and one of our guests from the Ghost Story tour won a walk on role on Halloween night so that will be an exciting event for both of us! Www.historicstrolls.com for more details. No reservations needed. Above are special photos taken during a very unusual Courage tour in 2009 when we were invited into the Clara Barton's Apartment and the Office of Missing Soldiers at 437 7th street NW by Richard S. Lyons. I climbed the stairs (in a hoop skirt!) and viewed Clara Barton's Civil War Washington home for the first time and it was delightful and dusty!

the Dickens you say???

2009-12-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, m'dears, Dickens arrives on December 12 and he is in fine fettle. And Tiny Tim too, as he puts his wellies on for rehearsals (bit damp out there)and joins the Cratchits for some cocoa after tromping about. The mutton returns this year as does the rubber chicken. Ah, it's good to see the chicken up and about!

It shall be the most fun ever and Dickens bades you to come along for the merriment.

Join him at noon for " A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington" at 10th and E St NW, (tickets on sale at 11:45am) on the 12, 19th, 26 and just added, December 27th!

www.historicstrolls.com for exciting info!

No reservations, just good Dickensian fun!

Cheerio,

Mrs C.

Out Damp Ghosts. Out I say!

2009-11-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

Mercy! Twas the night of all Hallows Eve and all through the park, not a ghost tour was walking, not a spirit did lark. It seemed as though we should not get to thrill, but the Park maintenance showed or I'd be standing there still!

Yes, there was trick or treats at the White House last night and we were told that the park would either open at 9:30pm or at 6:00 am the next day. Yikes! I quickly went to Plan B which skirts the Park. But suddenly as I was handing out shredded bits of cardboard (having dropped half of the tickets into a rainy gutter during our attempt to sweet talk the Park Police), an actor appeared (the lovely Miz June) and announced that the park was open again. Huzzah!!

And what a wet and wooly tour it was. About 69 degrees when we started and with 10000 percent humidity (is that possible??)so I told the ghosts to switch wigs and hats and keep the same skirt on throughout. Ah, there is nothing like the smell of wet wool bonnets. And now as everything begins to dry I can safely say that this was our wettest ghost tour season ever! And next year, waterproof hoop skirts!

Oh Mr. Sun, please come out in November :)

"Courage! The Clara Mystery Revealed"

2009-06-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Is June almost over already? Good heavens. Still time to take the Courage! tour though and tomorrow's edition will reveal a mystery. Since the late 1860's a room was hidden in a building on 7th Street NW. About to be knocked down the building was being-....well, I'll let him tell it because on Saturday, June 20th, the Courage! tour will have a special guest and make a very special journey back in time to see Clara Barton's room, hidden for so many years. Join us won't you? The tour meets at 10th and E STreets NW (Cosi) at 11:00 am sharp and we'll trot down E street to go visit Miss Barton's room. This tour is accessible except for the 42 step climb to Clara's room.

Will the North win the war? Will Demetria Parrish be able to climb the 42 steps in her hoop skirt??? See how it's all resolved on Saturday, June 20th at 11:00 am.

www.historicstrolls.com for info or 301-588-9255

no reservations, just join Demetria Parrish who will be at 10th and E NW (Cosi) at 10:45 to sell tickets.

It takes courage to put on a hoop skirt....

2009-05-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Mercy Maud! Is it May already??? How did this happen and why aren't my pumpkin seedlings in the ground already? Woe betide the rain beset gardener and hapless is she who forgot to put the little markers on the peat pots. (say peat pots three times very fast) Who can say what will arrive come June.

And speaking of June, our fair June who plays Miss Dorothea Dix and Mary Surratt is out for a spell and we miss her dearly already. But the show goes on and so a hasty rehearsal is arranged and scripts memorized for this next week's incarnation of "Courage! The Civil War in Washington" (May 16th, 11:00 am).

Will the rains abate for our tour? Will the masses arrive to see dramatic scenes evoking the 1860's in Washington City? And will I be able to fit into my costume after all those little gluten-free donuts??

Do join us and see! www.historicstrolls.com

Searching for Booth....

2009-03-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, a successful start to the tour season. And not a moment too soon as the costumes were about to consume my abode. As the crinolines attempted to make a break from the wardrobe I scooped them up and set out for Washington City. As rolling roadblocks loomed ahead I wondered if anyone would brave the town on a marathon/war protest day for a little walking tour? And would my actors be able to find me?

Huzzah! They did brave it and the actors did appear. Success! And although I forgot to pack the Victorian underwear to show guests, I did actually remember to put the historic photographs inside my reticule.

And now that it's under my belt, preparations are underway for April's venture: a recreation of April 14th, 1865. On April 18th, 2009!

Now if I could only find that Wilkes Booth hat.....

www.historicstrolls.com

Ah, Spring! Courage returns to Washington City...

2009-03-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Felicitous dawning of Spring! And frankly, my dear 'tis not a moment too soon as I'm heartily sick of scraping ice and tracking sand into the domicile.

But enough complaining. Why back in Pennsylvania, where Demetria Parrish hails from, the ground is still glistening with snow. And speaking of Demetria, her astonishing journey to Washington City takes a new turn this year with a new story line and some new (and old) characters gracing the tour.

Please join Demetria on March 21st and immerse yourself in the 1860's as we sojourn through the Civil War as it played out in Washington City 148 years ago. You'll see the oldest working elevator in America, Mathew Brady's studio site, Clara Barton's home/office site, the first all- marble building in America, the alley where the dastardly Wilkes Booth escaped through and much more.

www.historicstrolls.com for details

Welcome Spring!

A new year dawns....

2009-01-27T12:52:00.000-08:00

Whilst we slumbered (how many weeks has it been??), a new day dawned, a new President arrived and now the ground is covered in snow. We thrill to a new administration's first steps, eagerly devouring news of each development. And we are reminded that it has been going on in this town since 1800.

This year brings a new page for all of our strolls characters as well. A new story line for the Civil War tour. A revamping of the 1960's tour. Some new ghosts will be revealed in October to join old favorites on the Ghost Story Tour of Washington. Even though the hush of snow blanketing the ground tempers the sounds of the City, we are buzzing like little busy bees inside, mending hoop skirts, putting historic images in order and writing scripts for characters to learn. And the search goes on for a proper stovepipe hat for Mr. Lincoln to wear!

In the mean time, try this to warm your self during this chilly season:

One cup of Apple juice, add a stick of cinnamon, a tablespoon of honey and heat for a few minutes, stir and drink (take the stick out- ouch!). Mmmmmmm.

Mrs. C

The last "Carol" for 2008!

2008-12-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

Ah, can it be? Have we really done our last "A Christmas Carol/Dickens" tour for 2008?
Yes Virginia, tis true. And now the exciting task of unpacking the dressing room and getting ready for 2008. A swift inventory and triage reveals the squashing of the Scrooge top hat- oh, hat blocking skills don't fail me now! And the tiny tears in many a skirt and popped buttons and Tiny Tim's crutch has lost some bark- oh, what a noble crutch is here unbarked (?)But it's not too bad and we got a lovely cast photo before it all went back into the strolls chariot.

What lovely audiences we had this run and a local celebrity too! One guest told me this was her 8th Dickens performance and "it just gets better every year, I don't know how you do it". High praise indeed and we hope to live up to it. But, the Expedition box and Sir Hilary beckon so prep I must.

2009 is almost here!
First up, "The Expedition" which begins in a very strange location (all will be revealed) in a Potbellys Restaurant on Indiana Avenue NW at noon on January 3rd, 2009. $10 adults, $5 under 16. Meets at 637 Indiana Avenue NW right across 7th Street from the Archives Metro Station at 7th and Penn Ave. Walk past the Starbucks to Potbellys. www.historicstrolls.com or 301-588-9255 for info

Christmas with the Cratchits

2008-12-24T19:06:00.000-08:00

Goodness- tis Christmas Day itself! The Cratchits will enjoy a small feast tomorrow- I've just put a milk-free, gluten-free carrot cake in the chilly closet with the little light (icebox!) to chill. And tomorrow, the smoking bishop which is quite popular with the Dickens family. And you can learn more about Dickens on Sat/27 during the "A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington" at www.historicstrolls.com. Merry Christmas my dears!!
Here's the recipe:

Smoking Bishop

Wash Five oranges *(peel on) and bake at 350 until golden brown (turn them once during baking)

30 or so cloves

4 ounces of sugar

2 bottles of good red wine

a bottle of port

Take the baked oranges out and stab them with the cloves (ick, yes. Sorry)

Put them into a glass or ceramic bowl (don’t use a metal one), then add the red wine and sugar. Cover for about 10 to 12 hours in a toasty spot. Then squeeze all of the oranges into the wine and add the port. Now heat the thing but do not boil it ! *

If you can find Seville oranges, all the better!

For a non-alcoholic version, substitute grape juice and apple juice for the wine and port!

Cratchits forge ahead!

2008-12-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

Well my dears, tis almost Saturday and Mrs C is baking ala Martha Stewart to prepare for our Christmas feast. Will Bob bring home a fine turkey this year? Or will we once again be using the bird as stuffing instead of the other way 'round? The Cratchit children are busy making recipes for guests (a veritable Dickensian workshop here) and cheerfully hanging their stockings for Father Christmas who was quite skimpy on the treats last weekend. Really, poor Jemima C. got a brown paper package (tied up with string) and she had to share it with the others. A scandal! And what of Tiny Tim? Will he get that razor scooter he begs for? (and what is that actually?) and will Mrs C finally get a moment of solitude for her tired eyes ("lye and hog fat soap, take me away!")?

Tune in on the 20th at 12:00 noon at Cosi (10th and E NW) to find out how it all goes!
www.historicstrolls.com

ps. Mrs C has learned to make a proper link, see the strolls page and gape in admiration at her 19th century office skills!

Cratchits dine at last!!

2008-12-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Oh my dears, the Cratchit children feasted on roast rubber chicken yesterday and it was divine! As they shivered in their Cratchit-wear, the children, Bob and I thanked the founder of the feast (slight disagreement about whom to thank there...) and supped on a delicious rubber chicken and imaginary port (chicken from Spain, the finest purveyors of rubber chickens).

But, we remain ever poor as Scrooge has reverted to his old dreadful self and we're back living on the edge of desperation. Come, sup with us and see how it's all made right again.

Will Tiny Tim get better? Will the Cratchits move to better digs? Will Scrooge and the Ghost of xmas past stop into the Zola wine shop for a nip this time? So many questions my dears....

And still two weekends left to see us! December 20th and 27th we shall stroll again.

Dickens of a tour tomorrow!

2008-12-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well the sun has returned and we are glad to see it! All of the Cratchits will bask in its warmth as we tromp round Penn Quarter (Camden town to us!) showing the gentry where Mr. Dickens trod during his visits. The journey begins at 10th and E NW (Cosi, where they have the most modern plumbing, tis a wonder, really) at 12:00 noon. Mrs C. shall endeavour to sell tickets in a timely fashion (exact change is a boon to her and ye)

Parking can be so trying so Mrs C recommends the Tube for your journey (or house that carriage in a nearby garage). The closest Tube station (Metro for you ) is at Metro Center and you exit on 11th Street and merely walk down 11th to E and a sharp left turn and "bob's your uncle", Cosi is just ahead at 10th and E!

See www.historicstrolls.com for more exciting details about this event! It repeats on the 20th and 27th also.

woe betide the Cratchits if this rain doth not abate...

2008-12-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to pack the car for Dickens tour on Saturday and the rain is still falling steadily here. Although Mrs. C's shrubberies need the moisture we are saddened by the prospect of wet wool skirts. Nevertheless, we shall forge on, rain or no!

" A Dickens of a Tour: Charles Dickens in Washington" begins Saturday!

Dicken departs from 10th and E NW at 12:00 noon on Saturday the 13th :)

See if you can guess which Monty Python actor Mrs. Cratchit is influenced by.....