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Library to hold next History Scavenger Hunt

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library through the Genealogy Department will hold its semi-annual History Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28, May 1, May 5 and May 8.

In October, the library held its first Fall 2020 History Scavenger Hunt at Henderson Hall.

“The event was a great success and those who participated spoke favorably of attending future history-related scavenger hunts,” said Robin Yarzab, genealogist at the library. “This year we are partnering with the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society to hold our Spring 2021 History Scavenger Hunt at the Phelps-Tavenner House.”

The Phelps-Tavenner House is where Wood County had its beginning. The home was built about 1800 by Col. Hugh Phelps and later sold to Col. Thomas Tavenner following Phelps death. Before the Wood County Courthouse was built, the home served as the first courthouse of Wood County.

“As you can imagine, there were many very important people who entered the home to conduct their business,” Yarzab said. “One of the items that participants will be asked to find at the Spring 2021 History Scavenger Hunt is the original stone steps that these important people stepped on to enter this magnificent home.”

A special celebration will be held on May 8, the last day of the Spring 2021 History Scavenger Hunt, the Phelps-Tavenner House Garden Heritage Day.

Along with the scavenger hunt, there will be “garden art treasures” for sale and Charley Jacobsen, the library’s director of the children’s room, will be telling garden stories to the children.

Historians who tend to the Phelps-Tavenner House will discuss the artifacts available during the event.

“Wood County is rich in history and the Genealogy Department at the library and the Phelps-Tavenner House have great resources on historical and genealogical information for further learning and research,” Jim Miracle, manager of the Genealogy Department at the library, said. “Our history-related scavenger hunts are an excellent family-oriented event that are a fun way to learn about where we came from and the importance of preserving our past.”

Prizes will be awarded to the top winners of the scavenger hunt and all participants will receive an award certificate. For more information, call the Phelps-Tavenner House at 304-489-1629 or the library at 304-420-4587.

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