Mark Twain House and Museum (Hartford, Connecticut)

During our visit to Connecticut we toured the Mark Twain House & Museum, a National Historic Landmark, and the home of Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) and his family from 1874 to 1891. Twain lived here when he wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. This beautiful 25-room home is a stunning example of Picturesque Gothic architecture and features a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand library, and a billiard room-turned-study where Twain wrote his famous books. During our visit we watched a short film on his life and career and were given a docent led tour through the house (where, unfortunately, no photographs were allowed). I came away with a much deeper appreciation for this American icon and his many accomplishments. Mark Twain is credited with so many quotes, that we likely find ourselves citing him without realizing it. His insights and observations have become truisms and incorporated into our thinking to the point that we just consider these pearls of wisdom native knowledge or common sense. But during our visit I came across a quote by the man I hadn't seen before, and which really resonated with me: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…" So true!! Travel really does expand one's horizons in more than just the literal sense.  Suddenly you see first hand that the world is a lot bigger than you imagined, and often you are the visitor to a new land - even in your own country - and the world doesn't revolve around your singular point of view. A lesson in humility we can all take from time to time. Here are the pictures we were allowed to take from the exterior.