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Join us for our Trailblazers
Spectacular Fall Foliage Trip to Parkersburg, West Virginia!
Spend the day exploring and discovering the
TREASON! INTRIGUE! and MYSTERY!
of
“Blennerhassett Island and Mansion”
[button_with_link url=”https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/stonewall/eventRegistration.jsp?event=638″ target=”_blank”]Register for the Trip Online Here[/button_with_link] or call (614) 930-2262
THE STORY
Blennerhassett Island’s human habitation reaches back to Ice Age hunters 9,000 years ago. Native American tribes lived on the island almost continuously until white settlers began to flock into the Ohio Valley in the 1780s.
Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy aristocrat from Ireland, settled on the wilderness island in 1798 with his wife, where he built a magnificent mansion designed in the Palladian style (like George Washington’s Mount Vernon). The house contained 7,000 square feet of floor space. Its rooms were furnished with furniture purchased in London and Baltimore, oriental carpets, oil paintings and porcelain made in Paris. It was one of the most elegant and beautiful homes west of the Alleghenies. The Blennerhassetts reigned as the leading aristocratic family of the area…until they met Aaron Burr.
In 1806, Harman became entangled in a mysterious military enterprise with Burr known to historians as the “Burr Conspiracy”. As a result, President Thomas Jefferson accused both men of plotting treason in attempting to establish an empire in the Southwest (now Texas). Blennerhassett fled the island, but was captured and put into the Virginia State Penitentiary. Although Burr was tried and acquitted (with Chief Justice Marshall presiding) and Blennerhassett released from prison, the lives of both men were ruined. The entire episode still remains as one of the most intriguing and monumental events in our Nation’s early history. Gore Vidal visited the island frequently as he was writing his much regarded novel, “Burr”.
THE TRIP
Our Coach Bus will drive us from Stonewall Columbus to Parkersburg, south on Route 33 thru the beautiful Hocking Hills to Athens, OH. From Athens we will motor south on two-lane Route 50. If the weather cooperates, we should see some of Ohio’s most fantastic fall colors!
After arriving in Parkersburg, we will tour the historical Blennerhassett Hotel built in 1889. Majestic for its time, the hotel was a grand showplace that radiated the captivating atmosphere of the gaslight era. We will grab a quick lunch and then hop aboard the “Island Belle” Sternwheeler to Blennerhassett Island where we will tour the notorious Blennerhassett Mansion! Then we will take a fun, horse-drawn wagon ride of the Island plus “happy hour”, dinner at the Blennerhassett Hotel and much, much more!! On the return trip, we will motor home via Route 77 to Cambridge and west on 70 to Columbus. Route 77 will give us a final look at Beautiful Ohio in the Fall.
Lunch Menu
Assorted Finger Sandwiches
Imported & Domestic Cheese and Crackers
Chips, Pretzels, and Nuts
Assorted Dips
Iced Tea, Coffee and Water
Dinner Menu
Baby Greens Salad with Roasted Peppers, Olives, Artichoke, and Feta
Cheese and Dijon Vinaigrette
Rolls and Butter
Herb Roasted Chicken
Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
Oven Roasted Vegetables
Coffee, Tea and Water
THE DETAILS
Thursday October 10, 2013
Depart Stonewall Columbus – 9am
Return to Stonewall Columbus – 9pm
Must arrive at Stonewall by 8:45am
[button_with_link url=”https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/stonewall/eventRegistration.jsp?event=638″ target=”_blank”]Register for the Trip Online Here[/button_with_link] or call (614) 930-2262
Trailblazers (Age 50+) & Students $99.00
All Others $115.00
Your Escorts for this trip – Linda Schuler & Lori Gum
Price Includes:
- Coffee and Bagel Breakfast! (from 8:00am-8:45am prior to 9am departure)
- Coach Bus Transportation to & from Parkersburg!
- Lunch!
- Boat Fare!
- Museum Admission!
- Mansion Admission!
- Wagon Ride!
- Dinner!
(Note: “Happy Hour” drinks are not included and are “on your own”)
For persons with mobility limitations:
This trip should not require extensive walking – it will be similar to the walking we did on our Trailblazers trip to the Dayton Air Force Museum last year.
The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History is accessible to people with mobility limitations. On Blennerhassett Island, the Island Belle Sternwheeler, Blennerhassett Island grounds, the first floor of the Blennerhassett Mansion, and the first floor of the Putnam-Houser House are all accessible to people with mobility issues. The second floor of the mansion, second floor of the Putnam-Houser House, and the wagon rides are not accessible.
