About Kathleen

Dr. Kathleen Bashian is a long time resident of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She holds a Ph.D. in English literature from New York University with specialization in Shakespeare. She has taught literature and film courses at Marymount University and George Mason University. The National Endowment for the Humanities recognized her work, awarding three grants for Shakespeare projects with educators in Washington, Virginia, and Maryland.

Kathleen is the author of Once Upon a Carpet, a book on the history and mystery of Oriental rugs. Her column Carpet Tales was a regular feature of Area, the quarterly journal of the Oriental Rug Importers Association.

Kathleen is a Certified Master Guide of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC. She is a popular study leader for the Smithsonian Resident Associates, presenting programs on Shakespeare, the presidents, and architecture.

Kathleen is a licensed as a professional tour guide in Washington, DC and she is certified by the International Tour Management Institute (ITMI).