Newsletter

Thursday: Virtual
"Brava! Historical-fiction enthusiasts, fans of La Callas, and others will relish this view into the tumultuous love affair of a power couple; they’ll offer a standing ovation when, in the novel’s 'Final Curtain,' the opera singer discovers her true voice." —Library Journal, starred review

Thursday, January 25 at 12pm ET - A Lunchtime Conversation with Daisy Goodwin on DIVA - A Novel with Rasheed Newson (Virtual)

In the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, Maria Callas was known simply as la divina: the divine one. In this new novel, Daisy Goodwin brings to life a woman whose extraordinary talent, unremitting drive and natural chic made her a legend. But it was only in confronting the heartbreak of losing the man she loved that Maria Callas found her true voice and went on to triumph.

Virtual Event: Choose your own price for non-members. Free for members. LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE.

Friday & Saturday (plus February 2)!

Friday January 26 at 6 PM ET

Saturday January 27 at 1 PM ET

JUST ADDED! Friday, February 2 at 6PM ET

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS: VALENTINE-MAKING WORKSHOP (In-Person)

People in the Victorian Era knew what greeting card companies these days have forgotten: emotions are complicated–especially love! Any candy heart or last-minute card can say “Be mine,” but using the Victorian language of flowers, you can send more complex sentiments like “Have confidence in me and hope in love,” “Let our friendship be the cure for your heart ache,” or even “I love you, my child, unconditionally–and with endless patience.”

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the Victorian language of flowers and then use it to craft three paper Valentines that send exactly the message you want–platonic, familial, or romantic!

In-Person Event. $25 per person. All materials provided, including the special envelopes and postage required to mail each Valentine! REGISTER HERE.

On both Friday evenings, hot and cold beverages, including wine and beer, will be available at our Nook cafe beginning at 5:30.

A Valentine That You Will Love!
Blind Date with a Book

Do you remember the game Mystery Date? You never knew who was behind the door!! Go on a BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK and you'll receive a hardcover surprise book of our choosing! You may scoop up an intriguing book written by a local author or snag a recent title by a household name like Fiona Davis or David Baldacci.

If you choose the DOUBLE DATE option, you will get a Blind Date Book PLUS an edition of Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam & Eve, a funny and touching tale of the first couple, very much inspired by his own marriage.

Blind Date with a Book: $20

Double Date with a Mystery Book & Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam & Eve: $25!

To go on your mystery date, CLICK HERE.

Winter Sale in Our Store!

Looking for a unique gift for yourself or others AND want an amazing deal? Look no further than The Mark Twain Museum Store's Winter Sale. Select items, including jewelry, decor and museum exclusives, are on sale now at a deep discount. CLICK HERE to view the Winter Sale items!

While you are visiting our online store, if you spend $50 or more site-wide, you will receive a FREE stationery gift with purchase. CLICK HERE to visit The Mark Twain House Store.

Have You Heard?

New Benefit for Library Members!

Does your library participate in our museum pass program? Patrons of our library members can now use their library pass for discounted Living History Tour tickets (up to 3 tickets per visit, either adult or child), in addition to our ongoing benefit of discounted General House Tour tickets. Contact your library to ask if they are a Mark Twain House & Museum member and for details on using their museum pass. Libraries interested in our museum pass program can contact Kaitlin in our membership office at [email protected] or 860-280-3112.

Field Trips to The Mark Twain House

What shapes the food we have access to and the meals we choose to prepare?

In this program, teams of students take on the role of the Clemens family’s new cook, tasked with preparing a dinner for eight—on short notice! Using Hartford market price lists from various weeks in 1874, surprise assortments of Gilded Age pantry items, and recipes drawn from the cookbooks Mrs. Clemens owned, teams will build and price out five-course menus, while navigating good fortune (the cook in the neighboring home has sourdough starter) and bad (Mr. Clemens insulted the fishmonger!) In comparing the finished menus, students will consider how season, climate, regional food cultures, and networks of global exchange would have shaped how the kitchen staff of the Clemens household went about its work—and how the money spent on these dinners compared to the wages paid to those who prepared them.

Learn More

You can play a role in the conservation of two vital pieces in The Mark Twain House & Museum collection!

- Six original woven cord and leather pockets of a Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company billiard table. Mark Twain (shown above) would place kittens in the pockets of his billiard table to swat away balls during his games. Your donation will help reverse damage to the pockets due to aging (and naughty kittens).

- A tooled leather travel trunk with a canvas and leather cover that is stamped S.L. Clemens.

The Mark Twain House & Museum has received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to conserve these two items. However, the grant only covers half the expense of the conservation and requires that we raise the rest in matching gifts.

The total cost to restore the billiard pockets and travel trunk is over $32,651. To date, we are 25% of the way to our goal. We hope you will join us in preserving Mark Twain's legacy!

Donate