May 20

This morning we went to breakfast at T.J.'s Restaurant with Lin and Scott before heading east.

Crossed the bridge over the Ohio River around 12:30 p.m. Drove down to Parkersburg WVa.

Finally, found the parking lot for the Blennerhassett Museum. It contains 3 floors. The lower level displays many, many Native American items that were collected and labeled in the 1700-1800s and mammoth bones. The other two floors are devoted to Blennerhassett, Parkersburg, and Ohio Valley history.

We then traveled back across the river to Belpre, OH. The 19th Century Sternwheeler to Blennerhassett Island is leaving from there temporarily while the WVDNR redoes an park and original docking area. We boarded the boat around 3:00 p.m. The Captain, a Merchant Marine Officer, allowed each of us to steer the boat and took our pictures with our cameras. When we docked we bought tickets for the house tour, where docents told us about it.

The Blennerhassett Mansion was built by Harmon Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish aristocrat, in 1798. He and his wife only lived there about 6 years because he became entangled with a plot formed by Aaron Burr, and as a result, both men were accused of treason by Thomas Jefferson and imprisoned. Burr was acquitted, and they both were released, but their reputations were ruined. Blennerhassett and his wife fled the island leaving everything behind.

In 1811, the mansion burned to the ground. In 1973, archaeologists rediscovered its foundations. Through careful research and historical letters and artifacts, the mansion has been recreated for the enjoyment of visitors.

Upon returning to the mainland, we returned to Parkersburg and had dinner in the Spats Restaurant at The Blennerhassett Hotel, built in 1889.

After dinner we decided to look for a motel and ended up in a Red Roof Inn, with owners and dogs from a dog show and a group of elderly gospel singers. Should be an interesting evening.

More from WVa tomorrow....

John and Elaine