Parkersburg, West Virginia

After Don and Barbara enjoyed a week in Virginia, we met them in Parkersburg, West Virginia for the weekend. The girls had a 3-day weekend, so it was nice to leave town. We stayed at the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast. It was located in the historic section of Parkersburg. I love old homes and enjoyed this one. It is amazing how creaky floors are so endearing in an old house, but very annoying in a newer house.

We had the whole 3rd floor. The girls enjoyed their baths in the clawfoot tub. Kevin was happy that the place was modernized with electricity and wireless, so he could enjoy some football! We walked around the historic district and admired the big old houses. The old houses were built in the late 1800s. This one needs to be restored. Hmmm . . . I wonder if Kevin could find a job in WV!

This one is called the castle and looks very large from this angle. But this house is only 2 rooms deep. It is under restoration, but it sounds like it has been under restoration for many years.A very yummy breakfast in the B&B. We spent the day learning about and exploring Blennerhassett Island State Historical Park. We toured the museum, rode the sternwheeler to the island, took a covered wagon ride around the island and toured the houses.

Blennerhassett Island is named for a family - Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett. They moved from Ireland and built this mansion in 1798. At that time, WV and the Ohio valley were on the edge of the frontier. It was a rare sight to see such grand house in that undeveloped and untamed area. This house is not the original house. In 1811, the house accidently burned to the ground and over time the area returned to its natural state. In 1973, modern archaeologists rediscovered its foundations and the state of WV turned the island into a state park and rebuilt the house.

The Blennerhassett family was not living in the house at the time of the fire. In 1805, Harman had gotten involved in a military enterprise with Aaron Burr. As a result, President Thomas Jefferson accused both men of plotting treason in attempting to establish an empire in the Southwest (now known as Texas). Blennerhassett fled the island, but was captured and put into the Virginia State Penitentiary. Although Burr was tried and acquitted and Blennerhassett released from prison, the lives of both men were ruined. It was noted in the musuem, the many tradegies that fell on this family. They died in poverty and there was no one that survived to carry on this family's name.

**Aaron Burr was a vice-president under Thomas Jefferson and also the man who killed Alexander Hamilton (a founding father of US) in a duel.

Blennerhassett Island has lots of history. The musuem has lots of Indian artifacts that were found on the island. Also, Johnny Appleseed planted an apple orchard on the island.

DID YOU ENJOY YOUR HISTORY LESSON TODAY?? ; )