Students visiting Hartford, Connecticut, can jump into the pages of Mark Twain’s real-life story at his former home.
The Mark Twain House & Museum, a National Historic Landmark, was home to Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain), and his wife and daughters, from 1874 to 1891. It is the place where he penned his most significant works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.
The home is a stunning example of early Stick-Style architecture. Its 25 rooms include a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand library and the billiards room where Twain wrote his famous books.
“The Clemens family lived next door to Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” said Jennifer LaRue, director of marketing and public relations at The Mark Twain House & Museum. “The neighborhood was called Nook Farm, and Hartford at that time was one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. and a major center for book publishing, insurance and banking. And it was home to two of the most famous authors in the U.S.: Twain and Stowe.”
The Mark Twain House is shown by guided tour only, with each student tour lasting 45 minutes. Students are taken through the beautiful rooms where Twain worked and raised his family. They also learn about the fascinating times in which he lived that influenced his books.
“We hope students will have a richer appreciation of the legacy of Mark Twain after the tour,” LaRue said.
In addition to tours, students can participate in education programs that meet curriculum needs. Topics include creative writing, critical thinking, history, and researching from primary and secondary sources.
“Aside from the tour and classroom experience, the museum features two galleries, a 23-minute Ken Burns documentary about Mark Twain and a museum store,” LaRue said. “You can pre-order lunches, too.”
For more information on The Mark Twain House & Museum call 860-247-0998 or go to marktwainhouse.org.
