StC News
Walking in the Footsteps of History
Saints alumni found their callings leading walking tours in historic cities.
Alumni Tommy Dew ’85 and Tim Rose ’05 may have some years between them, but one thing unites the two: a passion for sharing history with others. Both Saints alumni found their callings leading walking tours in historic cities, where they put a spotlight on the history beneath our feet.
Rose started his company in May of this year, leaving behind a career in banking. “My wife and I live in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. I live eight and a half miles from Mount Vernon, and George Washington’s footprints are all over the city,” said Rose. “So many significant events have happened here, so I started doing more research and realized that there’s a lot of rich history here. It’s a very walkable city, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to build a company that offered high-quality history tours.”
Dew, after graduating from college in Charleston and needing a job, found his way into tourism by driving carriages in the historic downtown district. “I realized I loved it. It suited me. I loved public speaking and moved from one stage to another,” he said. Dew started his own history tour company in 1997 and has been doing them ever since. “The historic district is incredible. We’re a peninsula city. It’s only five square miles, but we have more old buildings than any other city in the country,” Dew said.
Both Saints trace a direct line from their careers in history tourism to their days as StC students. “Growing up in Richmond, near Jamestown, Williamsburg, I grew up just so steeped in history,” Dew said. “I remember my teachers at St. Christopher’s, like Ron Smith and Mr. Squires. They were all just so demanding. Without question, one of the keys to my success is what they taught me about editing and public speaking,” he said.
Rose caught the history bug early on at StC and credits the ancient history classes of Dr. Boese as an early inspiration and influence. “I really appreciated his classes, and also Mr. Dickinson’s classes,” said Rose.
What’s the best thing about their jobs? Both point to working outside, connecting with people and sharing their passion for history with others. “I’ve never had a bad day at work,” Dew said. “I’m so fortunate to do what I do.”
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