Enjoying Rockville’s two historic downtown walking tours just became as easy as using your smartphone.
“Story maps” for the Lost Rockville and African-American Heritage walking tours have been developed that can be followed on any internet- and GPS-enabled phone or tablet.
Until now, history buffs wanting to follow the walks had to visit City Hall or the offices of Peerless Rockville for brochures that included a simple map and tour stop descriptions. Now, they can visit the website for each walk (see the attached box for links), or scan a QR code on plaques at each historic site. QR codes can be scanned with a smartphone.
Walkers viewing each location on their tablet or smartphone can see a list of each historic location, a map of the route, and also click on a “media” tab to see accompanying vintage photos, or click through to read about each site in more detail.
Those who want to the tour from the comfort of their home can also view the story maps online at the links from any personal computer.
The Lost Rockville walking tour was created in 2001 by the Rockville Historic District Commission, and includes 15 sites along its 3-mile path beginning with St. Mary’s Church. The African-American Heritage walking tour runs 2 miles and includes 18 locations. It was established in 2012 by the Department of Community Planning and Development Services.