7/14/2011
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. –
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is a park with a split personality – a year-round museum on the corner of Second and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg, and an island in the Ohio River. “There are different experiences depending upon a visitor’s interest in history,” according to Lori Armstrong who is the contact for booking group tours to the island or the museum. “Every group is different and looking for a unique experience. And we are unique.”
Downtown features the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, a three-story structure with gift shop, video history, and archival pieces. Blennerhassett Island on the Ohio River features The Blennerhassett Mansion and mansion tours, The Putnam-Houser House, a gift shop, horse-drawn wagon rides, and bicycle rentals. The conveyance to the island is the park’s sternwheeler, “The Island Belle,” which currently departs from Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio, to the island and back.
The Museum is open year-round for visits and tours. The island, mansion, sternwheeler and island activities are seasonal and generally open from May - late October. The Putnam-Houser House, mansion and mansion tours, sternwheeler rides and special events, make this state park a “tour worthy” choice. Armstrong books all types of groups from school field trips to mystery tour stops, and as an itinerary stop by motorcoach tours from not only West Virginia coach companies but also surrounding states and beyond.
“We’re pleased that our park is an attraction that attracts groups interested in history, and many times just because Blennerhassett is unique. You don’t think of West Virginia having an island,” Armstrong said.
The island is open daily, Tuesday–Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The sternwheeler schedule is posted on the park website
www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com for last shuttle back to the departure point. In addition to daily tours, there are several special events remaining on the 2011 calendar. Blennerhassett also partners with
North Bend State Park on an overnight packaged rate that includes lodging at North Bend and activities found at the island and on the mainland. The package is called “Voyage.”
Special Events at Blennerhassett Island:
Two
Island Frolics remain this calendar year,
July 23 and August 27. Visitors board the Island Belle sternwheeler at Civitan Park, Belpre, Ohio, to depart for Blennerhassett Island. This is a three-hour adventure and features a round-trip sternwheeler ride, an evening meal, a guided tour of the mansion, and a narrated old-fashioned wagon and/or hayride tour. Friends of Blennerhassett Gift Shop will be open and bicycles will be available for children for free. The adult price is $25, Children (3-12) $20 and 2 and younger are free. Reservations are required.
The
Sunday Sundae Cruise is scheduled for
August 7, a Sunday (of course!) and includes everyone’s favorite – ice cream plus a sunset sternwheeler cruise around the island and an island stop for hand-dipped ice cream with choice of strawberry, chocolate or caramel topping. “It’s popular with kids and adults,” said Armstrong. “Bring your cameras and binoculars to take pictures of the island, wildlife and the new Blennerhassett Island Bridge.” Sternwheeler departs from Civitan Park, Belpre, Ohio at 6:30 p.m. and returns by 9:30 p.m. $12 per person (children 2 and younger free). Reservations are recommended.
Brunch with Margaret Blennerhassett is a morning event with a ride on the Island Belle to Blennerhassett Island where none other than Margaret Blennerhassett will greet and invite passengers for brunch just as she might have done in 1798. Margaret provides a glimpse into the 18th-century frontier life she and Harman experienced while living on the island. Margaret is portrayed by Debra Conner as local historian and actress. Visit also includes a tour of the Blennerhassett Museum, Blennerhassett Mansion and a narrated wagon ride. Cost is $39.95 per person. Reservations required. The three program dates are
August 11; September 8, and 22.
Parkersburg’s Homecoming Fireworks event is August 20. Blennerhassett Island State Park offers two options for watching the night sky as it fills with color and design. In case of inclement weather local, Parkersburg media will announce a rain date.
- The Family Fireworks Cruise is considered by many as the best seat for viewing the annual fireworks display from a sternwheeler on the river. The Island Belle will make a brief stop at Blennerhassett Island where passengers may visit the island snack stand and then return to the sternwheeler for viewing fireworks. Individuals will board the sternwheeler at Civitan Park, Belpre, Ohio at 7:30 p.m.; departure at 8 p.m. and return at 10:40 p.m. Adult price is $10, Children (3-12) $9 and 2 and younger are free. No alcoholic drinks will be permitted on the boat or the island. Reservations required. In case of inclement weather local media will announce rain date.
- Island Fireworks Adventure finds seating in a natural park on the historic Island. The “Island Belle” departs from Civitan Park, Belpre, Ohio. Boarding begins at 8:10 p.m. and the boat departs at 8:30 p.m. for the island. Visitors enjoy the island at sunset and have a riverbank position to watch the fireworks from the head of the island. The island snack stand and gift shop will be open. Bring a flashlight, lawn chair, or blanket. Passengers return to Civitan Park following the fireworks around 11 p.m. The cost is $8 adults, $7 children (3-12), two and younger are free. No alcoholic drinks will be permitted on the boat or the island. Reservations are required.
The Stillwell 4-H Club cook apples into homemade apple butter over an open fire September 2-4 for the annual Apple Butter Weekend. The aromatic product will be for sale.
Blennerhassett Island is open on Labor Day Monday, September 5, for mansion tours and island exploration.
Blennerhassett Mansion by Candlelight is only offered two nights each year. October 7 and 8 features sternwheeler rides to transport attendees back in time and to a party on the island hosted by the Blennerhassetts. On these two autumn evenings, electricity is banished and the mansion and island is a flame-lit world of the 18th century. The soft glow of candlelight weaves a mesmerizing spell, as music plays, dancing begins, and discoveries of lively card games. The island’s cook prepares a harvest dinner enjoyed prior to touring the mansion. Horse-drawn wagon rides, visiting the servant’s party and other activities on the island are planned. Space is limited and reservations are required no later than September 30.
For information about the Parkersburg W.Va. area, visit www.parkersburgcvb.org. For Blennerhassett Island information, call 304 420-4800 or visit www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.
Contact Information
Lori Armstrong, Group Services, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
304-420-4800
Lori.A.Armstrong@wv.gov