Current Exhibits

Opened in 2003, The Mark Twain Museum Center offers guests an opportunity to learn more about Mark Twain, his family, the historic house, and the author's legacy. This state-of-the-art facility houses our ticket desk; the Aetna Gallery with a permanent exhibition on Twain's life and work; a rotating exhibition hall, The Hartford Financial Services Theatre, showing a Ken Burns mini-documentary on Twain; classroom space; the lecture hall-style Lincoln Financial Auditorium; The Mark Twain Store; entertaining spaces like the soaring Great Hall and the sunny second floor café/patio area.

In addition, the Museum Center houses our research library, which is open by appointment only. Featuring walls etched with some of his most famous quotations, this LEED-certified green museum is a treasure-filled way to begin and end your visit to The Mark Twain House.

'A Sound Heart & a Deformed Conscience': The Evolution of Mark Twain's Attitudes Toward African Americans

Through September 3, 2012

Open during regular museum hours. Exhibit included with admission.

Mark Twain's attitudes toward African Americans went through a 180-degree turn during his lifetime -- from a childhood in Missouri, where slavery was accepted as God's law, to a celebrity old age during which he railed against lynching and racial bias. His masterpiece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, combines an adventure tale with a searing look at the racial elements of American society.

The exhibit's title comes from Twain's own description of Huck's attributes in a notebook entry he wrote while working on the book: Huck had a sound heart, but it was only his conscience that was deformed -- the "conscience" imposed by a corrupt, slaveholding society.

Curated by Mark Twain House & Museum Chief Curator Patti Philippon, it includes original documents and books, along with artifacts reflecting the evolving phases of Twain's attitudes.

Among items on display are an original letter from Frederick Douglass to Twain's abolitionist mother-in-law (Olivia Clemens' parents' attitudes deeply influenced Twain in his change of heart); text relating to Twain's brief service in a state militia regiment at the start of the Civil War; a painting by Charles Ethan Porter, an African American artist Twain helped to study in Paris; and an exploration of the work of Twain illustrator E.W. Kemble who, while he did the first-edition illustrations for Huckleberry Finn, also partook of the conventional racism of his time in a series of "coon" illustrations.

This exhibit is a companion to the 'Hateful Things' exhibit opening March 29 under the heading 'Race, Rage and Redemption.'

'Race, Rage and Redemption' is supported by Aetna, Inc.; the City of Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Pedro Segarra, Mayor; The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation; the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., and Alan S. Parker, Co-Trustees; Francisco L. Borges; Reid & Riege, P.C.; and R. Paul and Cecily H. Mehlman.

Hateful Things

Through September 3

Open during regular museum hours. Exhibit included with admission.

An exhibit from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University, augmented by items from private collections and our own, explores one of the darker chapters of American history and the effect of slavery on our national consciousness.

The exhibit takes an unflinching look at the Jim Crow era through racist artifacts and objects. Part of the "Race, Rage, and Redemption" theme along with "A Sound Heart"; includes a third exhibit, "Hopeful Things," including student reaction to the first two.

Produced in cooperation with the Greater New England Alliance of Black School Educators.

"Race, Rage and Redemption" is supported by Aetna, Inc.; the City of Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Pedro Segarra, Mayor; The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation; the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., and Alan S. Parker, Co-Trustees; Francisco L. Borges; Reid & Riege, P.C.; and R. Paul and Cecily H. Mehlman.

Admission to both exhibits, along with others in the Museum Center and our Ken Burns film, is free along with a Mark Twain House tour, or $5 for a museum-only ticket.

Please note: these exhibitions contain inflammatory and upsetting imagery. Parental discretion is advised.

Twain Store
Twain’s books‚ funny quote t-shirts‚ Victorian-era gifts‚ Twain House and Hartford souvenirs‚ writer’s journals and other tools. The Twain Store has something for everyone.

Upcoming Events
There is always a good reason to visit the Mark Twain House. With unique events for Twain fans of every age‚ keep checking back for updates.

Support Twain Going “Green”
Your donation to the museum will ensure that Mark Twain’s legacy will continue on at little cost to the natural world he admired so much.