The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House is a museum in Hartford, Connecticut. It was home to American author and lecturer Samuel Langhorne Clemens (better known by his pen name, Mark Twain). The house belonged to the author from 1868 until his death in 1910. It is also one of the most prominent works of architecture in Hartford. The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since August 29, 1973. The address may be confusing since there are other streets with that name as well. Fortunately, Google Maps provides street view images so you can see where the house actually is. You can visit the museum at 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105.
Location and access information:
It is a half-block west of Trumbull Street, two blocks north of Upper State Street, and three blocks south of Capitol Avenue. The house is at the center of the Elm Grove Historic District, which also includes the neighboring David Clapp House and the Samuel Clemens House. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Mark Twain House is open to the public and tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday. The only major exception is that the House is closed on Tuesdays. There is no admission fee. Visitors are asked to dress appropriately since the house is primarily a museum. It is also very small, so you should expect to spend a half-hour or longer on each tour.
History of the Mark Twain House
The city has a rich literary history, dating back to the 1800s, when it became a national center for the printing press. Hartford was also home to many authors, including Mark Twain. Samuel Clemens was born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri. His father, John Marshall Clemens, was a teacher and school administrator who had high expectations for his eldest son. His mother, Pamela Olivia Langdon, was a non-practicing Quaker who was more interested in the arts (she was a particularly gifted violinist). When he was young, Clemens was immersed in the Quaker faith. However, he became an atheist as an adult. He was raised in a prosperous family, and his father was appointed as the United States Postmaster in 1837. Sam also spent his early years traveling frequently due to his father’s job. At times, he lived in San Francisco, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, and Hannibal.
Architecture and design of the Mark Twain House
The Mark Twain House is a Greek Revival-style residence that was built in 1853. It’s located in Hartford, Connecticut, and was built in 1853. The house was designed by a local builder who previously designed The John Brown House. The designer, John A. Riddle, used Greek Revival architecture in several ways in the design of the house. Greek Revival is usually associated with the architecture of ancient Greece, but the style was also used in the United States during the 1820s. The use of the style in the house is an example of regional architecture.
Future plans for Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House was closed in 2011 due to inoperable elevators and unsafe stairs. In December 2015, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation awarded $200,000 to repair and improve the house. The intent is that the house will reopen to the public in 2020. The Mark Twain House & Museum Trust is currently working on increasing accessibility for the house, repairing any safety issues, and making improvements to the building’s architecture. The Trust is also exploring grants and funding new exhibits.
Conclusion
The Mark Twain House is a national historic landmark that offers visitors a unique glimpse into the life of an influential writer. The house is a good example of the Greek Revival style and is located in Hartford, Connecticut. It is open to the public, and there is no admission fee. Visitors are asked to dress appropriately since the house is primarily a museum. It is also very small, so you should expect to spend a half-hour or longer on each tour. The future of the house remains uncertain, but if you plan to visit in the near future, be sure to contact the Mark Twain House & Museum Trust for updates.