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Christmas trees lighting up Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History

Photo by Wayne Towner Sally Bogard, from left, of Parkersburg, her granddaughter, Lindsay Bogard, 11, of Parkersburg, and friend Sue Waggoner of Belmont, view the World War I Memorial tree on display at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History.

PARKERSBURG — Christmas trees decorated in a variety of themes and heritages are on display through late December at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History in downtown Parkersburg.

The museum kicked off the annual Trees of Our Heritage holiday exhibit Sunday with an open house featuring entertainment, food and children’s activities, including a chance to meet the Victorian Father Christmas.

Tom Perdue, chairman of the exhibit for the last three years, said this is the 17th year the heritage tree exhibit has been featured at the Blennerhassett Museum, although the event goes back nearly 30 years with its start as a Christmas open house at the museum.

“I love when children come, especially … to see a kid’s face light up at Christmas time makes it all worthwhile,” Perdue said of the tree exhibit.

Lindsay Bogard, 11, of Parkersburg, was interested in one of this year’s new trees, the World War I memorial tribute tree. A sixth-grader at VanDevender Middle School, Bogard said her social studies class is currently studying about WWI.

Photo by Wayne Towner A total of 36 trees are on display at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History as part of its Trees of Our Heritage exhibit.

“I like how we’re learning how it started, what year it ended and everything else,” she said.

Stephanie Eaton and her daughter, Olivia, of Belleville, were making their first visit to the Blennerhassett Museum to view the heritage tree exhibit.

“We just thought it would be nice with the open house and we get to see the museum,” Stephanie Eaton said.

Both enjoyed the open house and said they would like to return in the future.

“I really like it, the trees are beautiful and the snacks are really good,” Olivia Eaton said with a laugh..

Photo by Wayne Towner Shelia Diaz performs Sunday during the Trees of Our Heritage open house at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History in downtown Parkersburg.

The exhibit, which runs through Dec. 23, features 36 different Christmas trees representing countries from around the world, special memorials, and holiday themes.

Regular museum admission applies for the rest of the six-week exhibit. The museum also features a video about the Blennerhassetts and the history of the island. Exhibits relating to Parkersburg and the Ohio Valley are on display from early ancient to 20th century relics.

The museum will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. through Dec. 23. Regular museum rates are $4 adult admission and $2 for children age 3-12. More information is available by calling 304-420-4800.

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