File photos The reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion is the primary attraction for Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park at Parkersburg.

PARKERSBURG — The Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will open for the 2022 season slightly earlier than usual as visitors can begin taking sternwheeler rides to visit the restored mansion and tour the historic island on Friday, April 29.

The island traditionally opens on May 1, but will be taking advantage of the first weekend in May to open early, Park Superintendent Craig Pyles said.

“We are looking for a big season this year,” Pyles said. “Last year we attracted 28,800 paid patrons. This year we hope to surpass 30,000 for two reasons: first, is based upon the amount of school groups we have booked in the month of May. Last year we had six school groups booked before opening day and this year we have 37 school groups booked before opening day. Second, with the price of gasoline being higher than normal we often see an increase in attendance because people are looking for a one-tank trip. We draw folks from Cleveland, Canton, Columbus, and Cincinnati when this happens. We would also like to encourage our local population to get out and explore their own backyard. We have so many local attractions in the area that people often overlook, like Henderson Hall and the Valley Gem Sternwheeler,” he said.

“One thing most people in the area overlook is our museum, located at 137 Juliana Street, that includes three floors,” Pyles said. “We have displays on more than just Blennerhassett history but more of a regional history collection. We have new displays, such as, a flood gauge depicting where the historical floods would have been in the building, a new Soap Box Derby display featuring the winning car from the 1964 Parkersburg winner who went on to the national race, and an exhibit of DeSales Heights history,” he said.

With the opening of the island on April 29, visitors can board the Island Belle Sternwheeler at Point Park in downtown Parkersburg for the trips to and from Blennerhassett Island.

Boat ride tickets will be sold at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History at Second and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg, two blocks from the docking area at the city floodwall.

The rates are: museum admission $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 3-12; boat ride, $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12; mansion tour, $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12; wagon ride, $9 for adults and $7 for children. Bike rentals on the island are $2 per half-hour for adults and $4 per hour for adults. A package ticket (museum, boat, mansion, wagon) is $30 for adults and$20 for age 3-12.

Beginning April 29 and running through early September, the island will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The hours will change at various times throughout the season. The island is usually closed on Mondays, but will be open on Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays.

For information or directions, call 304-420-4800 or online.

The main feature of Blennerhassett Island is the reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion, which is furnished with many artifacts owned by Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett or coming from that period.

Other artifacts and items can be seen on display at the Blennerhassett Museum, which features three stories of exhibits, a video display telling the story of the Blennerhassetts and a gift shop.

Visits to the island provide visitors with the opportunity to take mansion tours guided by docents in period clothing and take narrated wagon rides.

There are also bicycle rentals, a gift shop and a concession stand. A volunteer-operated golf cart is also available for those with mobility issues.

The Island Belle is also available for charters when not involved in transporting visitors between Parkersburg and the island.

Like the mansion, the historic Putnam-Houser House, which was transported to the island from Belpre, is open for tours Fridays through Sundays this summer. Tours are free and will be guided by docents. A donation box is available with proceeds going to help maintain the historic home.

A variety of special events will be held throughout the summer season on the island, including special tours, historical programs, live entertainment and even ghost hunts and murder mystery dinners.

More volunteers are always needed on the island and in the museum. Volunteers can work in the gift shops in both places or learn to be docents and give tours of the mansion. For mansion docents, training and period clothing is provided.

For more information about Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park or the Blennerhassett Museum, call 304-420-4800.

Wayne Towner can be reached at

wtowner@newsandsentinel.com

If you go:

2022 Calendar of Events

• April 29: Island Opening Day

• May 15: Blennerhassett Bridal Shower (Island)

• May 21: Estate Garden and Grounds Tour

• June 11: Hidden Marietta Island Ghost Hunt

• June 18: Children of the Blennerhassett Mansion

• June 18: Garden Party

• June 19: West Virginia Day Celebration

• June 25: Murder Mystery Dinner

• July 9: Murder Mystery Dinner

• July 16: Blennerhassett Mansion Foodways Special Tour

• July 23: Garden Part

• July 31: Island Escape

• Aug. 6: Ohio Valley Opry

• Aug. 13: Hidden Marietta Island Ghost Hunt

• Aug. 27: River City Orchestra

• Aug. 28: Birds of Prey presentation

• Sept. 13: Wood County Cross-country meet

• Sept. 24: Laurel Creek Bluegrass Band

• Oct. 9-10: Mansion by Candlelight

• Oct. 15: Hidden Marietta Ghost Hunt

• Oct. 30: Halloween Trick or Treat