Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 20 travelers
Overview
Fall 2026 schedule: Tour is held the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 2pm.
Someone visiting Georgetown today may see it as another wealthy enclave in a continuously gentrifying Washington, DC. However, this charming area has a diverse history. Originally a busy port for the export of tobacco, it was also the site of an active slave trade, and at one point African Americans counted as 30% of the Georgetown population. Descendants of those enslaved peoples and black free folk have lived in Georgetown for generations, but their contributions to its history do not often receive the same recognition. This tour will reveal the stories of the black citizens who made their mark on one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods.
The tour starts at 3206 O Street NW DC and ends at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, at 2501 Mill Rd. NW. There is a half-way stop at Thomas Sweet Shop for a bathroom break and refreshment.
What's included
Over 2 hours of historic information offered by an experienced guide.
Coffee and/or Tea
What to expect
10m
The gothic-style Healy Hall was built at the direction of, and named for, Georgetown University's only black President, Patrick Healy.
10m
Pomander Walk used to be Bell's Court, owned by Alexander Graham Bell. Bell's Court was characteristic of alleyway communities throughout DC, where you had a close-knit black community.
15m
The tour takes a half-way stop at Thomas Sweet for refreshment and a bathroom break.
10m
The row houses at this address used to serve as holding pens for the enslaved. The pens were torn down by an Irish entrepreneur who had themselves spent their childhood as an indentured servant in the West Indies.
Pass by
The house of Emma Brown, who was one of the first black teachers in DC to reach the level of Principal.
10m
The Mount Zion United Methodist Church is one of the oldest black congregations in Georgetown.
Rose Park
10m
This historic park was the site of numerous political rallies and community gatherings for the black community in Georgetown.
10m
This is the oldest cemetery in Georgetown, which contains the remains of enslaved and free black citizens.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Guests will meet in front of Masala Street Food.
End point
Additional information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
