Explore the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut

In Hartford, Connecticut, visitors can discover the joys of the Mark Twain House and Museum. This designated National Historic Landmark is certain to intrigue fans of Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) as well as all literature, history and architecture buffs.

The grand 25-room Gothic structure was home to Twain and his family from 1874 to 1891 and living history tours led by costumed guides reveal what daily life was like at the house. Spanning 11‚500 square feet, the former home is now a museum frozen in time and showcases numerous artifacts, such as some of Twain's shirts and Louis Comfort Tiffany furnishings, which provide some insights into the author, his family and the time period.

Visitors will need tickets for a guided tour. These can be bought onsite on a first-come, first-served basis or online. Tours of Mark Twain House take around 45 minutes but can last up to an hour, while museum tours take about an hour and 15 minutes. Visitors are advised to book weekend and holiday tours online in advance, so they don’t miss out on this must-visit landmark. There’s plenty of time to get tickets as the house is open six days a week (it’s closed on Tuesdays).

Mark Twain's well-appointed house in Hartford reflects a world of imagination as well as his travels. Louis C. Tiffany and Associated Artists, a group of talented interior designers, artisans and artists created the home's décor. It’s a style known as Stick and perfectly complements the architect Edward Tuckerman's Victorian Gothic Revival style of sprawling porches, terra cotta brick exterior, bay windows, pitched roofs, porte-cochere and carriage house.

See thousands of artifacts 

The expansive 16,000 artifacts on display at the house and museum include the elegant furnishings and décor chosen from around the globe to adorn Twain's home, including a Lucerne clock, Tiffany glass, a Venetian jardinière, the master bedroom's exquisite carved bed and the library's oak mantelpiece brought from a Scottish castle.

The grand entrance hall, with its magnificently-carved wood staircase, showcases Asian and Middle Eastern design motifs with details such as a brass mosque lamp with cut-glass ornaments and stenciled wainscoting. The Mahogany Room guest suite is exactly as you’d imagine. It features mahogany walls, a mahogany bureau and an impressive mahogany bed inlaid with tiles that fellow members of the literati slept in when visiting Twain.

The birthplace of literary classics

From the elegant dining room to the Persian-themed library with green and gold accents and the conservatory with its fountain, plants and warm sunlight, the house was designed for a life well lived. The billiard room is testament to Twain's love of the game – and stamina, as he often played into the wee hours. He also used it as a study and office, where he could find privacy for writing. While living in the house, Twain wrote some of his most popular novels, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

See more of Mark Twain

Visitors can also explore the modern, 32,000-square-foot Mark Twain Museum Center, which opened in 2003 next door to the Mark Twain House in Hartford. Items on display are truly unique and include Twain's last pair of spectacles, the expensive typesetting machine that almost brought the family to financial ruin, photos of Twain and his family, various documents, first editions of Twain's books and other books owned by the family. The museum center also features the Ken Burns film, Mark Twain, as well as exhibits that delve into Twain's work, a café and a shop.

Dine amongst history

Mark Twain House and Museum has an on-site café perfect for visitors to grab a bite to eat and drink without the need to leave the premises. The Nook Café can be found in the visitor center on the second floor. It serves up delicious local produce including a range of freshly-made sandwiches, baked treats and more. Whether you embark on a tour before tucking in or after, this is a great spot to while away time.

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