The Mansion Dining Room is on the Foodways Tour of Blennerhassett Island during the “Dining with the Blennerhassetts” event on Blennerhassett Island Sept. 8. Guests will be able to learn about the proper customs and distinctive foods of the time period. (Photos courtesy of Scott Gelnett and Martha Hartley)

PARKERSBURG — The “Dining with the Blennerhassetts” event is returning to Blennerhassett Island on Sept. 8.

The event is again organized by local food historians Martha and Dick Hartley, authors of the West Virginia cookbook “Serving Up History,” in cooperation with the park.

“Now in its third year, it provides an exceptional experience and true insights into the early 1800s,” said Pam Salisbury, activities coordinator at the park.

Food continues to be the focus of this educational program.

Guests start at the museum with a real-food demonstration about “Dressing Up the 1800s Evening Entertainment Table.”

The Blennerhassett Mansion Kitchen includes this table originally owned by the Blennerhassetts. It will be featured during the “Dining with the Blennerhassetts” event on Blennerhassett Island Sept. 8. (Photos courtesy of Scott Gelnett and Martha Hartley)

After a late afternoon cruise on the Island Belle down to the “Enchanted Isle,” participants will have a foodways tour of the Blennerhassett Mansion.

At each stop, the role foods played in the lives of Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett will be emphasized.

The finale is a three-course candlelit dinner prepared from historic recipes by chef Yancy’s Five Star Catering.

The dining location is the 1802 Putnam-Houser House called Maple Shade on Blennerhassett Island. History tells that Margaret Blennerhassett, as a close friend of the Putnams, danced the first dance at Maple Shade’s house-warming party, organizers said.

Foodways is defined as an in-depth look at people in a location and time as well as an examination of the procurement, preparation, and presentation of foods on their table. The Hartleys are West Virginia food historians, authors and volunteer educators for programs at Blennerhassett Island.

A cake sandwich will be prepared as part of the “Dressing Up the 1800s Evening Entertainment Table” demonstration. (Photos courtesy of Scott Gelnett and Martha Hartley)

“At the Dining with the Blennerhassetts program, each guest learns about, eats the cuisine of, and enjoys the ambience of an earlier time on Blennerhassett Island,” said the Hartleys.

During the real-food demonstration by the Hartleys, guests watch and learn about making syllabub, a creamy dessert from the 1800s, which is also being served in the dinner’s dessert course. Five other historic food dishes will be demonstrated for display on the evening entertainment table.

The Blennerhassetts enjoyed inviting many guests to dinner.

“These were important social events. Each guest brought conversation and the news to the table,” said Dick Hartley.

More than a dozen historic food choices will be offered. This includes an appetizer first course sampling followed by a second course with meat entree, vegetable sides, bread and beverage and is concluded with a sweets and dessert course sampler.

The entree of roasted hen stuffed with potatoes and parsley is served with minted peas, carrot pudding, fresh melon and cheese – an authentic menu from the time period that will be prepared by chef Yancy Roush. The diner’s other choice is pork stuffed with sausage. (Photos courtesy of Scott Gelnett and Martha Hartley)

Advance registration is required. There is limited seating.

The program will start at 2:45 p.m. with registration beginning at 2:15 p.m. at the museum. The twilight return boat trip will arrive at Point Park around 8 p.m.

For more information or to make reservations, call the Blennerhassett Museum at 304-420-4800.