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Lanterns light the paths that lead to the mansion.

Blennerhassett Mansion by Candlelight


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Blennerhassett Island, located on the Ohio River between Belpre, Ohio, and Parkersburg, West Virginia,  held its annual Mansion by Candlelight on Friday, Oct.9. The Island Belle sternwheeler transported guests from Civitan Park in Belpre to the island. 

Irish aristocrat Harman Blennerhassett and his younger wife Margaret settled on the east end of the island in 1798. The Blennerhassetts built a magnificent 7,000 square foot mansion with furnishings purchased in Baltimore, Maryland; London, England; and Paris, France. The original mansion burned to the ground in 1811, but archaeologists found the foundation and the mansion was recreated for visitors to see. The island is normally opened from May to October.

During the candlelight event, the island was transformed into an 18th century party to show guests how people lived more than 200 years ago. Guests were privy to card games, 18th century dancing, portraiture, palm reading and other special events. Servants of the Blennerhassetts also treated guests to song and dance with stories about the family and the ghost of Margaret Blennerhassett. 

Island visitors took a tour in a horse-drawn wagon that included stories of the island before and after the Blennerhassetts lived there. A harvest style picnic followed a lesson in making apple butter. The gift shop was also open so guests could take a bit of the island home. According to crew members of the Island Belle, the island had over 1,300 visitors for the two night event.

 

Guests get off the Island Belle sternwheeler for a night of 19th century grandeur.
Guests get off the Island Belle sternwheeler for a night of 19th century grandeur. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
A servant explains to guests what was normally served during a mansion party and explains that the color that adorned the dining room wall displayed the extreme wealth of the Blennerhassetts.
A servant explains to guests what was normally served during a mansion party and explains that the color that adorned the dining room wall displayed the extreme wealth of the Blennerhassetts. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
Ballroom dancing is a common form of entertainment during the 1800s.
Ballroom dancing was a common form of entertainment during the 1800s. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
Palm readers or fortune tellers commonly entertain people and try read the lines in people’s hands and reveal their future.
Palm readers or fortune tellers commonly entertained people and tried to read the lines in people’s hands and reveal their future. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
In the days before the invention of photography, people would sit and be drawn by portraitures for life like images.
In the days before the invention of photography, people would sit and be drawn by portraitures for life like images. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
Live music was a must for any Blennerhassett party.
Live music was a must for any Blennerhassett party. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)
The Island Belle sternwheeler transports guests from Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio to the island.
The Island Belle sternwheeler transports guests from Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio to the island. At the end of the night, they are carried back over around 10:00 p.m. (Robert McGraw/WOUB)