How did West Virginia’s first immigrants live, from making clothing to building shelter to growing food? Pioneer Heritage Days at Blennerhassett Island Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, will show how it was done.
“Visitors to the island will get a firsthand look at a blacksmith at work and see how families washed their clothes, cooked their food, made candles and spun wool into thread,” according to Pam Salisbury, activities coordinator.
Blacksmith, Earl Hunt will be on a portable forge demonstrating the skill of molding iron into candle holders, hooks and other items. Hunt’s family will be candle dipping and also demonstrating how to wash cloths on a wash board. Catherine Sams will demonstrate outdoor cooking, Terry Higgins will spin and weave wool, and Salisbury will demonstrate basket weaving.
“Early settlers did not have ‘fast food’ for supper like we are accustomed to today; instead, they had to depend on the land for their food.” said Salisbury. “Folks grew, harvested and preserved their food, raised livestock, and went hunting or fishing to survive. We still garden, prepare, and hunt and fish today, but modern technology makes daily living much easier.”
A nature interpretative program by Parkersburg area Master Naturalists begins at 2 p.m. Saturday. In addition to bird watching and learning about birds of the Ohio River area, participants will make a birds nest from ordinary craft materials. “Pickin’ in the Park” will be heard Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the tented areas near the island gift shop and is open to any musician.
Boats run on an hourly schedule from Point Park in Parkersburg beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday and return on the half-hour. The last trip off the island is 5:30 p.m. Heritage demonstrations will be presented from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost for the boat round trip boat ride is $10 for adults and $8 for children 3-12. A special “senior rate” of $9 for the boat ride is available Sunday only. For more information, call the park office at 304-420-4800 or visit www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.
