Potomac Heritage Storytelling tour guides Dr. Robert B. Wilhelm and Dr. Mary Jo Kelly Wilhelm will lead a special Presidents Week Tour on Feb. 17-22.
The tour is designed as a way to reflect on our heritage by visiting local hallowed grounds and learning more about them. The tour begins with a trip to Boteler's Ford at Shepherdstown, W.Va., to step back into Native American times. Other stops on the tour include Harpers Ferry W.Va.; Sharpsburg; Gettysburg, Pa.; Frederick, Md.; and Boonsboro; and Big Pool.
The Wilhelms will discuss the French and Indian War period, the Abolitionist movement, travel on the C&O Canal, and the American Revolution. They will also speak about local ties to the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the original Washington Monument.
"When we moved to Washington County 15 years ago, we were leading storytelling tours to Europe - Ireland, Italy, England, Spain and Scotland in that year alone," said Dr. Robert Wilhelm. "Little did we expect to be drawn into the rich history and storytelling traditions of Washington County. But we fell in love with our new home and began giving informal tours to our family and friends. We learned so many stories, and discovered so many places, that we decided to apply our skills and experience of 25 years of tour guiding in Europe to our home here in Washington County."
