Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Well I guess if presidential candidates don't have to take a 100 question history test, why should tour guides!

"The yarn of Lincoln's death comes to an end" as spun by the Tour Guide. Hmm... I wonder what "spin" she took?

The District of Columbia no longer even has a licensing office for tour guides. While at Ford's we would see firsthand the good, the bad and the ugly in tours. The 100 question test had lots of questions which most people really would not be interested in if they stand alone. It's the packaging of that information that makes tours come alive.

The company that I am proud to work for is Old Town Trolley. They operate tours in Key West (and indeed go out to Ft. Jefferson) St. Augustine, Savannah, Washington D.C., Boston, San Diego, and next year they will open Nashville. They were also awarded the exclusive contract to operate the tour services inside Arlington National Cemetery. I will say that OTT has much higher requirements for their tour conductors than the 100 question test simply because they have much more at stake.

I remember when both Joan Chaconas and Mike Kauffman took the standard test in order to be licensed tour guides - a requisite because the tourism bureau could stop our Booth Tour bus (or any of the D.C. trips that Surratt House sponsors/ed) at any point and demand to see a license (bus driver did not count). If a narrator was not licensed, the tour was stopped. We followed the rules for years - and then the rules changed/disappeared.

I have been around various tour guides - both self-employed and working for companies - and many of them leave a lot to be desired. Even with a great personality, it's unfair to the public to flub the facts.

I have been around various tour guides - both self-employed and working for companies - and many of them leave a lot to be desired. Even with a great personality, it's unfair to the public to flub the facts.

Laurie: that is exactly what I was worried about.