About This Park
Located on a small island in the Ohio River, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park features a Palladian mansion on the island and a museum of regional history located in Parkersburg. This unique state park is visited by 40,000 people each year. This historical park is accessed by a sternwheeler riverboat from Point Park on 2nd Street in Parkersburg. Once on the island, visitors may enjoy tours of the grounds and mansion and horse-drawn carriage rides. Tours are offered when the park is open, from May through the last weekend of October. "Mansion by Candlelight" is a premiere event for two nights only in October. Other special events are offered throughout the year.
This park does not offer overnight accommodations within the park.
Activities
Select an activity below to learn more-
Biking
Biking
You may not be able to get to the island by bike, but you can certainly bring one over on the Island Belle Sternwheeler or rent one on the island. Cover even more ground on the island by bike to discover all the history here.
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Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is permitted from the banks of the island with proper licenses. West Virginia fishing licenses are available for purchase online.
Fishing in Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
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Hiking
Hiking
Blennerhassett has nature walks galore! Come visit this beautiful little island and see all it has to offer in wildlife, history, and entertainment.
Download Park Pack & Map -
Museums & Historical Sites
Museums & Historical Sites
The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History in Parkersburg boasts 3 floors of regional memorabilia. From prehistoric weapons to jewelry and odd items— like a “burning glass”— there’s no shortage of curious things to find! While you’re there, visit the gift shop for fine art and crafts.
Contact
- Phone: (304) 420-4800
- Email: blennerhassettislandsp@wv.gov
- Address: 137 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101
History
The history of Blennerhassett Island has made it the Ohio River’s most famous island. In 1789, the island was settled by Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, wealthy Irish aristocrats fleeing political persecution and personal scandal. Over the years, the couple’s mansion gained a reputation for being the West’s most beautiful home. Then, in 1805, they allowed their estate to become headquarters for Aaron Burr’s military expedition to the Southwest, an episode that raised the island to national renown and awarded it a permanent footnote in American history. The Burr conspiracy, which is suspected to have involved a treasonous plot to create a new country independent of the United States, has become the subject of many stories, poems, artwork and Broadway shows. The Blennerhassetts fled the island when Burr’s scheme collapsed but the mansion and history remain.
Additional Information
Walking Tours
Come explore the historical island! Tours of Blennerhassett Island State Park and its reconstructed mansion offers visitors a glimpse of life on a colonial plantation. Volunteers wearing period-accurate costumes conduct tours through the mansion. Self-guided walking tours and horse drawn wagon rides also are available. Tickets for all island activities can be purchased on the island itself or at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History.
Schedule and Operating Hours
Blennerhassett Island is open from early May until the end of October each year. While touring the park, visitors should allow at least three hours for a complete tour. This includes the sternwheeler ride to and from the island. For a sternwheeler ride, mansion tour, and island hours, and the museum schedule and rates, click here. To purchase tickets for sternwheeler rides and other island opportunities, visit Blennerhassett Museum or call (304) 420-4800. To purchase tickets online, click here, and search for the date you wish to visit.
To see special events and activities, such as Mansion by Candlelight, check out our calendar of events.
Shopping
There’s plenty of shopping to do for visitors who want to bring a piece of the island back home with them. Experience great hospitality and charm in the shops of Blennerhassett.
Parking
Visitors can park in the parking lot at 113 Ann Street – under the bridge overpass. Point Park also has a limited three-hour parking visitors may use. Dedicated parking for the island is available beside the Blennerhassett Museum at 137 Juliana Street under the Route 50 exit/entrance ramps.
Nearby Attractions
Blennerhassett Hotel
This historic hotel, located back on the mainland in Parkersburg, is a luxurious historic hotel that offers guests a relaxing place to stay. The hotel offers a package that includes a boutique room at the hotel, a sternwheeler ride to Blennerhassett Island, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a tour of the mansion, passes for the history museum and more.
Oil and Gas Museum
Located in Parkersburg, this nationally recognized museum presents the intriguing history of the oil and gas industry, including how the accumulation of wealth from oil impacted West Virginia’s statehood. The museum also has expanded displays on the Civil War and other local industries.
City of Parkersburg
Located at the North Bend Rail Trail’s western point, the city of Parkersburg has an Art Center, coffee shops, bakeries, old fashioned diners, shops and the Blennerhassett Museum for all visitors to enjoy.
North Bend State Rail Trail
North Bend Rail Trail stretches 72 miles across north-central and western West Virginia. This wilderness path takes travelers across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels and is part of the 5,500-mile American Discovery Trail, which spans the length of the United States. The trail has become one of the most renowned recreational trails through the Appalachians.
North Bend State Park
North Bend State Park offers many recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Water recreation and boat rentals also are available at the park’s 305-acre lake.