Friday, May 10 at 7pm
Lee McColgan on A HOUSE RESTORED: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England WITH Christopher Wigren. Presented in partnership with Preservation Connecticut. (In-Person)

Old houses share their secrets only if they survive. Trading the corporate ladder for a stepladder, Lee McColgan commits to preserving the ramshackle Loring House, built in 1702, using period materials and methods and on a holiday deadline. But can he meet his deadline before family and friends arrive, or will it all come crashing down? McColgan’s journey expertly examines our relationship to history through the homes we inhabit, beautifully articulating the philosophy of preserving the past to find purpose for the future.

In-Person Event: $10 for non-members, free for MTH&M and community members (Members please login to access your discount). 

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE.

George Griffin Revealed

Tuesday, May 14 at 6pm ET: THE TROUBLE BEGINS: A Panel Conversation on the Life and Legacy of George Griffin with Kevin Mac Donnell, Dr. Camesha Scruggs, Rev. Samuel Blanks, and Steve Courtney (Hybrid Event)

George Griffin came to wash the windows in Mark Twain’s house and stayed 17 years, taking on the position of butler, the highest-ranking employee in the household. One hundred and fifty years later this member of the Hartford African American community remains an integral part of the history of The Mark Twain House and the Hartford community.

The evening will begin with a presentation on Kevin Mac Donnell’s new biographical sketch of Griffin, published in the Spring 2024 edition of The Mark Twain Journal, which provides the most comprehensive look into Griffin’s life to date and brings us face to face with the man who is said to have inspired Jim in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. MacDonnell will then be joined by Dr. Scruggs and Rev. Blanks for a panel discussion moderated by Mark Twain House historian Steve Courtney. The panel will dive deeper into Griffin’s life as a prominent Black man in Hartford in Mark Twain’s era, what we can learn from Griffin, and how his legacy continues. The program will conclude with an audience Q&A.

FREE hybrid event!

In-Person Attendees are invited to come early for a Pasta Reception catered by Salute Restaurant starting at 6pm ET. Food is first come, first served and there will be a cash bar.

Live-Streaming Attendees will be sent a link to access the live stream. Please note that while everyone can watch with the link, only those with YouTube accounts will be able to participate in the virtual chat.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE.

Take a Tour with George!

Tuesday, May 14 at 2:15pm & 4:15pm - Living History Tours with George Griffin, Mark Twain's Butler (In-Person)

As an extension of The Mark Twain House & Museum’s upcoming Trouble Begins presentation on The Life and Legacy of George Griffin, we invite you all to embark on a special Living History Tour with George Griffin himself!

While on tour, visitors will travel back in time to 1885 where they’ll be escorted by Mr. Griffin (played by Matt Simmons), who will recount his anecdotes of Twain and what it was like to work in the house as a longtime employee of the Clemens Family.

Limited spots are available! Tickets: $30 (adults/seniors), $22 (children ages 1-16). Members please login for your benefits. Reserve your tickets by CLICKING HERE.

Thursday, May 16 at 7pm ET
Peter Prichard on KILLING GRACE - A Vietnam War Mystery with Karl Marlantes (Virtual)

The year is 1967 and the Vietnam War is raging. Lieutenant Ben Kinkaid of the US military police is patrolling the chaotic streets of Saigon after curfew when he crosses paths with US Army clerk Tommy Banks and his girlfriend, Grace Waverly. Grace says she’s a peace tourist, but she’s also a member of RAW—an anti-war group bent on stopping the war by any means necessary. When Grace turns up dead in the Saigon River, Ben gradually uncovers a much larger conspiracy that involves an opium-pushing arms dealer and spies of every stripe. Rich with authentic details, this gripping thriller will immerse you in the tumultuous atmosphere of the 1960s as two very different men pursue justice, love, and survival in a world torn apart by war.

Virtual Event! Choose your own price for non-members. Free for MTH&M and community members. 

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE.

New Location Due to Extraordinary Demand!

Wednesday, June 5 at 7pm ET - THE TROUBLE BEGINS: Percival Everett in conversation with Michael Harriot on James (In-Person Event)

NEW LOCATION: Immanuel Congregational Church (10 Woodland Street, Hartford; directly across the street from The Mark Twain House & Museum).

About JAMES:

An action-packed, harrowing, and funny reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this brilliant new novel is told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. A New York Times bestseller from the “literary icon” (Oprah Daily) and Pulitzer Prize Finalist Percival Everett, Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion are shown in a radically new light. Percival will be joined in conversation with journalist and political commentator Michael Harriot.

After an immediate sell-out of our auditorium, we are delighted to move this program to Immanuel Congregational Church to accommodate more members of our community. A new batch of seats will be released to the public on MONDAY, MAY 6 AT 10AM ET.

FREE In-Person Event. There will be a free Pasta Reception at 5pm ET at The Mark Twain Museum Center catered by Salute Restaurant. Food is first come, first served and there will be a cash bar. LEARN MORE.

Help Get Twain on the Green!

Chip in today to The Mark Twain House & Museum through the Birdies for Charity program! We receive an additional 15% of each dollar we raise, thanks to Webster Bank’s support of the Bonus Bucks Pool. Donate by CLICKING HERE!

Launched in 2004, Birdies for Charity provides every 501(c)(3) in Connecticut an opportunity to raise awareness for its cause. The program is a giving platform that utilizes the excitement around the golf tournament to help nonprofits in communities across the region raise awareness and funds to support their missions.

Upcoming Events:
V = Virtual Event; IP = In-Person Event

May 10 - MTH&M Garden Volunteer Info Session & Social (IP)

May 10 - A House Restored: The Tragedies and Triumphs of Saving a New England Colonial with Lee McColgan (IP)

May 14 - THE TROUBLE BEGINS: The Life and Legacy of George Griffin with special guests (IP & V)

May 16 - Killing Grace: A Vietnam War Mystery with Peter Prichard (V)

May 21 - The Accidental Joe: The Top-Secret Life of a Celebrity Chef - A Novel with Tom Straw (IP)

May 23 - The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union with Stephen Puleo (V)

May 24 - GET A CLUE Tours of The Mark Twain House (IP)

June 5 - James - A Novel with Percival Everett (IP)

June 20 - THE TROUBLE BEGINS: The Twain of Our Republic and The Lincoln of Our Literature with Jason H. Silverman (V)

June 22 - Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours of The Mark Twain House (IP)

July 13 - Mark Twain's Companions & Cohorts: A Tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery (IP)

To see all event information and registration, CLICK HERE.

To preorder books for our upcoming events, CLICK HERE. Signed books will be mailed after the event. Please note that we cannot ship outside of the U.S. at this time.

Your donation to The Mark Twain House & Museum helps us meet our mission to preserve the home and legacy of Mark Twain. Thank you for your generosity!

Support the House

Author programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are sponsored by Connecticut Public Broadcasting and the Wish You Well Foundation. Virtual author programs are supported by Suzanne Hopgood in the memory of former MTH&M Trustee Frank Lord.

Activities at The Mark Twain House & Museum are made possible in part by support from CT Humanities; State of CT Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts; The Hartford; The Mark Twain Foundation; National Endowment for the Humanities; and Travelers Foundation and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.