Derby Square Tours: Fan Mail


(978)745-6314	jim@nii.net

What They Say...

"I admired your scholarly and entertaining presentation at our symposium on Embroidery Arts. You are a gifted raconteur and would have been pleased by the rave expressions of satisfaction from those who attended."

Jennifer Evans, Programs Manager, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem MA

"Your tour of Salem architecture was outstanding! I would like to work with you again."

Lisa Hahn, Art Horizons International, Inc

"Besides the presentation, the high point for me was and is listening to the feedback from your audience-all positive! They enjoyed the historic aspects, the art related information, and the relaxed, often humorous presentation."

Andrew Kusmin, President, New England Watercolor Society

"The best way to see ('Salem) is to get on a walking tour given by resident guide and historian Jim McAllister..."

Christian Science Monitor

"According to our group, it was our best trip ever. Your knowledge of Salem's history and houses was so infectious. We were all fascinated."

Greenwich (CT) Historic Society

"Jim has a knack of reporting history in such a way that one would think he was relating events which took place the week before last-and does it in such a way that his listeners are wide-eyed and sitting on the edge of their seats."

The Spoke, Salem Rotary Club newsletter

"What a great speaker you are; easy on the ears and a pleasure to listen to."

Peggie Hunter, Destinations New England

"McAllister uses photographs, a wealth of local knowledge and his sometimes irreverent wit to circumnavigate the city and bring its history to life in a quick-moving fifty-minute slide show."

Salem (MA) Evening News

"I've taught art my whole career and as I listened to your bottomless fund of information and animated anecdotes about the artists of Cape Ann I was envious that a teacher could be so absorbing and informative. You have a real gift for teaching an obvious love of life."

"Any college in your area would be most fortunate to have you on their staff. "

"Jim McAllister was outstanding, humorous, in love with his subject, a real treat."

"Jim McAllister's enthusiasm for his subject was obvious and contagious. His vast knowledge of his field was evident, and surely entailed countless hours of preparation. Stimulating is probably not a strong enough word. I wish I'd had a Jim McAllister to teach history in my student days."

"If my children had Jim in high school, they would have all been history majors. He has an artful way of bringing history to life."

"Thank you again for opening my eyes to things that would have gone unnoticed, and for filling my ears not only with facts, but also with so much and such charming trivia. I'm looking into having you cloned. Do you mind?"

Former Elderhostel students