Family-Friendly Tours

Two tours that I recommend your family take are the tour of the mansion and the covered wagon tour of northern Blennerhassett Island.

THE MANSION














In my previous post, I mentioned the Blennerhassett family. When they settled the island in 1798 they built a magnificent mansion. The mansion was decorated with art and furniture from all over the world, but most of it was lost in a tragic fire in the early 1800s. The remaining foundation was discovered by architects in 1973. Since then, the mansion has been carefully and accurately reconstructed.
The tour of the mansion is fascinating because you get the chance to see how life what life was like in the area over 200 years ago. The tours are given by costumed guides who give historical backgrounds of the everyday lives of Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett. The mansion is huge in comparison to houses in the Parkersburg area today and it's incredible to think about how massive the estate was in comparison to others at that time.

COVERED WAGON TOUR














Blennerhassett Island wagon tour is a chance to see the rest of the island and to get an understanding of other historical aspects. The tour also allows you to see the wildlife that lives on the island (kids love this part). This tour is a little more expensive, but totally worth the few extra bucks because the kids love the horses, deer, and birds. The tour guides are exceptionally friendly and are helpful with directions as well.

Adults and Children Love the Sternwheeler

Pictured above is the Island Belle. It's a sternwheel boat that takes passengers from Belpre, OH to Blennerhassett Island. The boat ride lasts about 20 minutes. The ride allows you to view the scenic Ohio River area and creates a fun atmosphere for children.
As a grade school student, I remember the boat ride being one of my favorite parts of field trips to Blennerhassett Island. My friends and I would stand near the back of the boat and play in the water because the wheel occasionally splashed water up onto the boat. (Parents, you might want to bring children an extra set of clothes!)
The boat runs every hour. Here is the schedule for the Island Belle.

A Cheap Adventure for the Family

Blennerhassett Island was settled in 1798 by Harman and Margret Blennerhassett. The wealthy couple bought the island an built a mansion. Later, Harman was accused of treason by President Jefferson because he and Aaron Burr were planning to establish an empire in the Southwest. Harman fled the island and was later held in the Virginia State Penitentiary. The two men were eventually released and acquitted of all charges, but Harman never returned to the island.
The story of the Blennerhassett family isn't the only reason why the island is a historical landmark today. Before the Blennerhassett family arrived, Native American tribes inhabited the island.
Several historical figures that visited Blennerhassett Island include: Johnny Appleseed, Henry Clay, Walt Whitman, George Rogers Clark and King Charles X of France.

You can have a fun-filled adventure for your family on Blennerhasset Island....and it won't empty your bank account!
Three things you have to do while visiting Blennerhassett Island:
1. Take the sternwheeler
2. Tour the Blennerhassett Mansion
3. Take the covered-wagon tour of the upper portion of the island

All of these things are under $10! (Exact rates).