West Virginia Day was commemorated Thursday at the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park as the state celebrated its 161st birthday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park commemorated the state’s 161st birthday on Thursday.

The park provided visitors with free cupcakes and water to commemorate the occasion.

“West Virginia is one of two American states formed during the American Civil War, along with Nevada, and is the only state to form by seceding from a Confederate state,” said Park Superintendent Craig Pyles during a ceremony on the island.

“It was originally part of the British Virginia Colony (1607-1776) and the western part of the state of Virginia (1776-1863), whose population became sharply divided over the issue of secession from the Union and in the separation from Virginia, formalized by admittance to the Union as a new state in 1863.

“West Virginia was one of the Civil War border states.”

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park Superintendent Craig Pyles gave a presentation on the island Thursday to commemorate West Virginia’s 161st birthday as the state celebrated West Virginia Day. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Pyles talked about how the state’s history was profoundly affected by its mountainous terrain, spectacular river valleys and rich natural resources.

“These were all factors driving its economy and the lifestyles of residents, as well as drawing visitors to the Mountain State in the early 21st Century,” he said. “The leaders who have known West Virginia have always understood the myriad challenges of the Mountain State. Sometimes, the obstacles seem too great to overcome.

“However, West Virginians, regardless of circumstances, carry themselves with a sense of pride in their state and a strong connection to their home.”

The summer season has been going pretty good for the park, Pyles said. Attendance has been above normal for this time of year.

“We are actually doing pretty well,” he said.

As part of the West Virginia Day Celebration at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, visitors received cupcakes and water to commemorate West Virginia’s 161st birthday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

The hot temperatures this week, which have reached into the 90s, has impacted attendance a bit. Still people have been coming in from Cleveland, Canton, Cincinnati and Columbus in Ohio and Charleston in West Virginia, Pyles said.

He encouraged people from the local area to come out and see what is available locally. He regularly talks to local people out in the community who have never been to the island or haven’t been there in years. Other attractions in the area highlight the Parkersburg area and its history in the state, including being the home of its first governor, Arthur I. Boreman.

“Get out and explore your backyard,” Pyles said. “A lot of people think when they do tourism, you have to leave the area and do things like that.

“There are a lot of things right here in the Mid-Ohio Valley that people need to check out. Come over and enjoy the island.”

Aleta Rader, an employee at the gift shop on Blennerhassett Island who will be starting college at Glenville State in the fall, said some of her favorite things about the state include its natural features and landscapes.

Blennerhassett Island as seen from the Island Belle sternwheeler travels up the Ohio River as West Virginia commemorated West Virginia Day and the state’s 161st birthday Thursday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“I really enjoy the state parks and that is why I chose to work at one, because the natural beauty is astounding,” she said.

She is planning to study history and political science in college. So far this summer, Rader has seen people come to the island from Germany and Japan as well as around this area and the surrounding region.

Tammy and John Shackelford, of St. Albans, came to the island Thursday because they had never been there before. They had a free day from regularly watching their grandchildren and thought they would take in the sights on Blennerhassett Island.

“Basically, we had time to do it,” John said. “I know it is West Virginia’s birthday.

“The state was born out of the Civil War and has a lot of tradition with people who follow those traditions.”

Island Docent Sandy Wiseman, who has been a docent on the island for seven years, said there is a lot of history in West Virginia and this area to explore and a lot of natural beauty for them to take in.

“People who want to take a vacation feel they have to go to Florida to the beach,” she said. “There are so many amazing things to do in West Virginia.”

She highlighted opportunities to do whitewater rafting, kayaking and more.

“The rivers have many adventures on it,” she said. “The mountains are absolutely beautiful and the hiking is amazing.

“There are beautiful state parks throughout West Virginia, waterfalls to visit and more. If you are an adventurous person there is no greater place to go than West Virginia. It is just beautiful.”

Jonnie Camp, who works on the Putnam-Houser House on the island, said even many local people overlook all the history available locally as well as numerous activities they can do.

“It is right here,” she said. “They don’t have to go very far.”

Pyles commended the people of West Virginia who regularly put their best foot forward.

“If you talk to people who come to West Virginia, one thing that everyone says is how nice the people are,” he said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com