Samuel Longhorne Clemens (1835-1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, wrote such famous works as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
The house -- which Twain lived in between 1874 and 1903 -- recently opened up his library for use by writers, who have the chance to write in the library for three-hour stretches. The price tag? A not-so-cheap $50, and that's as long as they reserve in advance.
The house already offers a wide array of classes and workshops, but the chance to write uninterrupted in Samuel Clemens’ study is an exceptionally rare one.
The resplendent, Victorian-era library was one of the crowning gems of Clemens’ home. Inside, members of the family would recite poetry and Clemens would regale guests with excerpts from his new works.
Interestingly, though it’s imbued with literary spirit, the library is not where Clemens penned his books. He actually wrote some of his best known works, like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, in the house's billiard room, which includes an expansive billiard table on which he laid out his manuscripts.
Writers are welcome to bring computers or paper inside for their work. However, they needn't forget that there’s no WiFi and no power outlets, and pens are strictly prohibited. Moreover, they can tour the house on their own during their three-hour slot.
Even if you're not a writer, avid reader, or history aficionado, it's still worth checking out this lovely home if you are ever in the Hartford area. I plan to swing by when I visit Connecticut in the near future.
Have you ever been to Connecticut? Have you read any works by Twain?
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