Special to the Times
PARKERSBURG - The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History will offer programs on a variety of subjects in February and March as part of its 2011 Winter Lecture Series.
The programs will follow the theme "Formation to Navigation ... A Journey Through Time on the Ohio River."
The lectures will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 17 to March 10 at the museum at 137 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg. For more information, contact the museum at (304) 420-4800.
The cost for the entire four-week series is $20 for members of the Friends of Blennerhassett and Friends of the Museums in Marietta, $25 for non-members and $10 for college students (student ID required).
Through the lecture series, visitors will learn more about the Ohio River, its formation, the ancient peoples who lived along the river and made use of it, the forms of river transportation and the history of the islands. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Light refreshments will be served
Fact Box
If you go
What: Lecture series on "Formation to Navigation ... A Journey Through Time on the Ohio River."
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 17 to March 10.
Where: Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, 137 Juliana St., Parkersburg.
Cost: $20 for members of the Friends of Blennerhassett or Friends of the Museums in Marietta, $25 for non-members and $10 for students (a student ID is required).
The lecture topics will be:
Feb. 17 - "Creation and Geology of the Ohio River" by Steve Kite, professor of geology and geography at West Virginia University, and "Native American Use of the Ohio River" by Bob Maslowski, retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers archaeologist.
Feb. 24 - "The Fascinating History of the Ohio River's Islands" by Ray Swick, West Virginia State Parks historian, Parkersburg.
March 3 - "Steamboats on the Ohio River" by Jeffrey Spear, president of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen.
March 10 - "The Military on the Frontier Ohio River" by Floyd Barmann, site manager for Campus Martius and Ohio River museums.
There will also be a special museum open house on Sunday, March 13, combined with a musical performance by the Smoot Children's Chorus at 1 p.m., along with a historical lecture entitled "The Western Rivers Steamboat and It's Impact on America" by Jerry Sutphin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
