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Parkersburg, West Virginia: VP Aaron Burr's Death Mask: Seditionist Island Utopia

Wealthy Irishman Harman Blennerhassett fled to America after marrying his niece, then built a mansion on an island in the Ohio River where he conspired with VP Aaron Burr to overthrow Mexico. Burr's death mask replica is in the museum, where you can buy tickets for a boat ride to the island.

Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History

Address:
137 Juliana St., Parkersburg, WV
Directions:
Rt. 50 through Parkersburg and follow the brown signs to the Blennerhassett Island at Point Park.
Hours:
Tu-F 10-5, Sa-Su 11-6, Closed M. Seasonal hours vary. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
304-420-4800
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Visitor Tips and News About VP Aaron Burr's Death Mask: Seditionist Island Utopia

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VP Aaron Burr's Death Mask.

VP Aaron Burr's Death Mask: Seditionist Island Utopia

Aaron Burr's death mask is a copy of a copy! The museum has a few Burr historical displays and even more on the Blennerhassett family. By all means pay to take the paddlewheel boat and enjoy the 20 minute ride to the recreated Blennerhassett mansion, where a guide in period clothing will take you through the house. The docents are very knowledgeable!

[Jody High, 08/27/2023]
Blennerhassett Island - Seditionist Utopia

This is the historic island on the Ohio River where Harmon Blennerhassett and his family built a plantation complete with slaves and a mansion in what was then the Indian dominated wilderness. He was branded a seditionist/terrorist by the British goverment for his part in attempting to free Ireland from British rule. In the early 19th century he was visited by Aaron Burr, who conspired with Blennerhassett to develop and train a militia on his isolated island and then take over the south west. Thomas Jefferson sent soldiers to the island to arrest them for sedition which led to the "trial of the century."

The mansion later burned down and a nice reproduction was built on the original site in the late 1980s. Every summer there are paddle-wheeler boat rides to the island where a costumed tour is given.

[Marcus Barnard, 05/31/2004]
Roadside Presidents
Roadside Presidents App for iPhone. Find this attraction and more: museums, birthplaces, graves of the Chief Execs, first ladies, pets, assassins and wannabes. Prez bios and oddball trivia. Available on the App Store.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Oil and Gas MuseumOil and Gas Museum, Parkersburg, WV - < 1 mi.
Grave of the Weeping WomanGrave of the Weeping Woman, Parkersburg, WV - < 1 mi.
Muffler ManMuffler Man, Parkersburg, WV - 1 mi.
In the region:
Johnny Appleseed Memorial, Dexter City, OH - 27 mi.

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