The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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As a lifelong Connecticut resident and an ardent admirer of Mark Twain's literary legacy, touring the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford was an enriching experience that brought Twain's world vividly to life. The General Tour offered a fascinating journey through the author's former residence, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the very spaces where Twain crafted some of his most iconic works. Despite the restriction on photos and videos inside the house, the tour guide's thoroughness and thoughtfulness compensated by providing ample historical context, enriching the experience for aficionados like myself. Every room seemed to resonate with the echoes of Twain's wit and wisdom, evoking a profound sense of connection to the author and his era. Moreover, it was heartening to witness the meticulous efforts undertaken to preserve the house, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate Twain's legacy firsthand. The preservation efforts not only safeguard the physical structure but also serve as a testament to the enduring impact of Twain's contributions to literature and culture. Overall, the Mark Twain House and Museum stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America's greatest literary figures, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into the life and times of the man behind classics like "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."
John ReginaJohn Regina
00
The Museum is very nicely put together. The house tour could be better. We went on the general house tour and felt somewhat rushed. The focus of the tour was mainly family history, which was delivered in a rote memory fashion. We were hoping for more details on the house's design and construction and its contents because everything told about the family in the tour is on the wall in the Museum. Our guide would move us to a new room and start talking before everyone had made it inside. This is not a good tour for kids under ten considering the many flights of steep stairs with very unsafe low banisters. Plus they would probably be bored stiff. It is not handicapped accessible. They do make this clear when you go to buy tickets. There is no photography allowed in the house, flash or otherwise. This is a recreated version of the furnished house they cobbled together by finding furniture from various sources and repurchasing it or finding something close to the original. There is a strong musty/moldy smell throughout the entire house. It set off our older sons allergies pretty badly. Some dehumidifiers and air purifiers would help immensely.
Patti IngramPatti Ingram
00
Truly impressive! Based on the tour guide's explanation, they've done a LOT of restoration since opening. We went earlier this year and honestly there seemed to only be a few rooms that hadn't quite been renovated. Being familiar with Mark Twain, but by no means a big nerd about him, I was really taken by the historic significance of his writing, his own life, and his consummate storytelling. I had never known about his ritual with his daughters whereby he told a new story based on the same set of items on the family mantel. In addition to the house itself, the museum (where you meet before your tour the house) is really well laid out. The different types of tours also seems like it would be a lot of fun if you've got a family etc. (There's one where someone portrays one of the maids to take you on the tour etc.). There a lot of artifacts in the museum and really fascinating background information on everything. If you've got a Walker Art Center Friend (or above) membership, this is one of the reciprocal museums you can get into and the standard tour come with entry!
Trung TieuTrung Tieu
10
We opted for a tour with a guide, and the lady (in maid costume) waited until we had paid for the tickets and joined the group. The very first time you enter the historic home, you get the whiff of damp and moldy air, like a home that has remained closed for a while when you return. The smell and the air remain with you for much of the tour. The tour itself is very well laid out and short though our guide plays the role to perfection, including all the gossip and stories about everything and everyone in the household. For those who don't know, she refers to her erstwhile employer by his real name and not the pen name as in the house name. Like all historic homes, going through the home makes one grateful for modern inventions and comforts. The dimly lit rooms and the sparse comforts of the old world toilets does remind you of the life as it used to be. The gift store is decently stocked with all kinds of mementos, but those who don't know, Mr Clemens was a cat's person, and there's hardly any dogs associated mementos.
Naseer AhmedNaseer Ahmed
10
Even without all that the Mark Twain House & Museum does, this would still be a destination. This is the place where one of America's seminal novels was written, and the house would be noteworthy were it only for that. However, the museum goes well above and beyond a simple step back into history. We attended on educator day, and aside from bands that played with minimal intermission, there were excellent crafts activities for children, character actors portraying a wide range of both real (Twain, Livy) and imagined (Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher) characters, and a host of other activities (notably, a robotic frog racing contest inspired by "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"). Beyond this, the quality of the tour is fantastic. We toured with Livy, and she made the literature really come alive for everyone in the group. If you have any interest in Twain, this destination should be at the top of your list.
Jason MaceyJason Macey
20
Living history tour and guide Patrick made our experience in Mark Twain house super informative and fascinating! First of all I am so grateful for the chance to see In my own eyes those amazing house and to caught the experience of just being Mark Twain guest. Also the guide Patrick was the very gentleman and well educated and prepared. The whole tour was like the living experience indeed. Our guide even greeted us in our native language which is Russian. Unbelievable!!! The tour time was about an hour and fifteen minutes. Within this time we traveled through a whole house - three flours and a lot of rooms. Tour tickets cost us $25 per person. I was a little sad though because first, there is absolutely no pictures or filming allowed and of course no touching the things rule. However the stories of great writer Mark Twain was remarkable, because he was very talented and remarkable man himself. Thank you!
Viktoriia KostiukViktoriia Kostiuk
40
Nearby Attractions Of The Mark Twain House & Museum
Pope Commons
IKASA Furniture & Mattress
Real Art Ways
Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Key Food Supermarkets
Stowe Center for Literary Activism
Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
The Stereo Shop
The Mark Twain Store
West End Farmers' Market
Pope Commons
4.3
(404)Click for details
IKASA Furniture & Mattress
4.6
(327)Click for details
Real Art Ways
4.7
(228)Click for details
Cathedral of Saint Joseph
4.8
(209)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Mark Twain House & Museum
Wood-n-Tap- Hartford
Ichiban Japanese & Korean
Fire-N-Spice Vegan Restaurant, Bakery and Juices
Mo's Midtown Restaurant
South Whitney Pizza & Bar
HFC Chicken & Pizza
MofonGo Restaurant
Tangiers International LLC
N Y Chicken & Biscuits
Piggy's Cafe
Wood-n-Tap- Hartford
4.2
(547)Click for details
Ichiban Japanese & Korean
4.5
(486)Click for details
Fire-N-Spice Vegan Restaurant, Bakery and Juices
4.6
(344)Click for details
Mo's Midtown Restaurant
4.3
(315)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105
Map
Phone
(860) 247-0998
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Website
marktwainhouse.org
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.6K reviews)$$
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, was the home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens and his family from 1874 to 1891. It was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter and built in the American High Gothic style.
attractions: Pope Commons, IKASA Furniture & Mattress, Real Art Ways, Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Key Food Supermarkets, Stowe Center for Literary Activism, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, The Stereo Shop, The Mark Twain Store, West End Farmers' Market, restaurants: Wood-n-Tap- Hartford, Ichiban Japanese & Korean, Fire-N-Spice Vegan Restaurant, Bakery and Juices, Mo's Midtown Restaurant, South Whitney Pizza & Bar, HFC Chicken & Pizza, MofonGo Restaurant, Tangiers International LLC, N Y Chicken & Biscuits, Piggy's Cafe
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