After arriving on the
island, we proceeded to the visitors center where we
acquired tickets for both a carriage ride and the mansion. Steve
drove a team of Percheron draft horses out through the large
walnut grove past the mansion and down the dirt road to the
remaining out buildings. He described in detail each structure
that we came to along with a meandering conversation about his
beloved horses. With a good idea of the layout and history. We
approached the Mansion, where we met the lovely 16 year old
Jessica Nelson, dressed in period attire. Although somewhat
camera shy she described the mansion in a clear and
understandable voice. Detailing the marble fireplace and the
winding staircase and rose colored dining room which would have
entertained both local and foreign dignitaries. When completed,
Jessica directed us up the stairway where we met 80 year old Pete
Burge, a self described docent, who looked and sounded every
bit the part of the 18th century gentleman he portrayed. He
described with keen interest, the few recovered artifacts
actually owned by the Blennerhassetts, along with the items that
were displayed in the remaining bedrooms. Archaeologists and
Historians have taken great pains to portray each room in a style
that is believed to be accurate for that period, if not exact as
described in reports and writings of the Blennerhassetts
and others that were present during the 14 years of the mansion's
existence. After completing the second floor we left Pete and
returned to Jessica and the first floor. She lead us first to the
left wing and the kitchen where she described the utensils
assembled. She talked about Margaret's keen interest in cooking
and how she would often enter the kitchen to teach
the help a new recipe or to add the final touches to the meal
being prepared. We also found out that Margaret made the servers
whistle as they carried the food from the kitchen to the house,
so that they would be unable to eat anything on the way. We then
followed her to the right wing to where Harman keep his office.
Several items in this room were acquired from the area and are
representative of the period and class of such an aristocratic
family. After the tour we wandered back toward the visitor's
center and a row of craft booths where period-dressed
crafts-folks worked on an assortment of crafts. Everything from
dream catchers to ironworks was represented. We stopped for a
while and talked with Gary Anderson while he deftly wove a basket
out of wood strips. From here we settled on a bench near the
landing and just watched the people go by. It is understandable
that Margaret thought of this island as a paradise; birds, deer,
and other forest creatures wander just outside of human reach. On
the sternwheeler ride back, we settled down at a table with Jessica
and Pete and talked about what it is like to be a docent in a
historic park. One 16 and the other 80, both volunteers. Their
perspective and enthusiasm was fascinating.
*** THE END ***
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