Built in America

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Built in America

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Rights and Reproductions

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14 drawings		thumbnail
91 b&w photos		thumbnail
43 data pages		thumbnail
8 photo caption pages

Item Title

Mark Twain House, 351 Farmington Avenue (corrected from original address of 531 Farmington Avenue), Hartford, Hartford, CT

Alternate Title

Saumuel Clemens House
Mark Twain Memorial

Medium

Measured Drawing(s): 14  (34 x 44 in.)
Photo(s): 91   (4 x 5 in. and 5 x 7 in.)
Data Page(s): 42 plus cover page
Photo Caption(s): 8

Call Number

HABS CONN,2-HARF,16-

Created/Published

Documentation compiled after 1933.

Notes

Survey number HABS CT-359
Unprocessed field note material exists for this structure (N250).
Building/structure dates: 1874 initial construction
Building/structure dates: 1881 subsequent work
Building/structure dates: 1886 subsequent work
Building/structure dates: 1929 subsequent work
Sometimes architecturally referred to as "Mississippi Steamboat" style.

National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000884
Significance: Completed in 1874, the Mark Twain house was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter and Alfred H. Thorp for noted American author and humorist Samuel Clemens and his family. The Clemenses lived here from 1874 until 1891, during which time Mr. Clemens wrote a number of novels now recognized as classics of American literature, including "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876), "A Tramp Abroad" (1879), "The Prince and the Pauper" (1880), "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884), and "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (1889). The house was erected on a portion of the property known as "Nook Farm," a close-knit, prestigious enclave that included, in addition to the Clemens family, authors Harriet Beecher Stowe and Charles Dudley Warner, and suffragist Isabella Beecher Hooker. The Clemenses were known for their ostentatious lifestyle and entertaining. Guest included noted personalities of the day, including literary figures William Dean Howells, Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Bret Harte; actor Edwin Booth, and British explorer and journalist Sir Henry Morton Stanley. The Mark Twain House, with its irregular configuration, many gables, projecting bays, balconies, and covered porches provides a stunning example of the eclectic European-inspired Continental Picturesque style favored by the well-to-do from the late 1850s through the early 1870s. The design also follows several local conventions with its use of Windsor brick and Connecticut River Valley brownstone and with its glass-enclosed Conservatory modeled after a design attributed to Nook Farm neighbor Harriet Beecher Stowe. Of particular note, Louis Comfort Tiffany and his firm Associated Artists decorated the first floor rooms and central hall of the house. The Aesthetic Movement decor was influenced by East and Near East design and features intricate geometric stenciling on walls and doors, specialty wallpapers and some pierced brasswork and carved teak woodwork. Also, the house was fitted with the most advanced technological equipment of the day, including a telephone, speaking tubes and bells, burglar alarm, gas lighting, central heating, and extensive plumbing.

Subjects

CONNECTICUT--Hartford--Hartford
balconies
porches
turrets (towers)

Related Names

Potter, Edward Tuckerman
Tiffany, Louis Comfort
Clemens, Samuel
Twain, Mark
Thorp, Alfred H.

Reproduction Number

[See Call Number]

Collection

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)

Repository

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

DIGID

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ct0332

CONTENTS

Photograph caption(s): 
1. BILLIARD ROOM
2. FRONT AND SIDE, EXTERIOR
3. GENERAL VIEW, FROM LEFT SIDE
4. HALL AND STAIRWAY
5. REAR EXTERIOR VIEW
6. DINING ROOM
7. EXTERIOR, GENERAL VIEW OF NORTH (STREET SIDE) ELEVATION FROM THE NORTH
8. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF NORTH STREET ELEVATION FROM FARMINGTON AVENUE
9. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF EAST (FRONT) ELEVATION FROM THE SOUTHEAST
10. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE EAST (FRONT) ELEVATION
11. EXTERIOR, PARTIAL VIEW OF EAST (FRONT) ELEVATION FROM THE SOUTHEAST
12. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF SOUTHEAST CORNER WITH EDGE OF CARRIAGE HOUSE ON LEFT
13. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF EAST AND SOUTH ELEVATIONS FROM SOUTHEAST
14. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF SOUTH ELEVATION WITH PARTIAL VIEW OF EAST ELEVATION
15. EXTERIOR, GENERAL VIEW OF WEST (REAR) ELEVATION AND PARTIAL NORTH ELEVATION FROM THE NORTHWEST
16. EXTERIOR, GENERAL VIEW OF WEST (REAR) ELEVATION FROM THE NORTHWEST
17. EXTERIOR, GENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTH ELEVATION
18. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF THE NORTH ELEVATION
19. EXTERIOR, PARTIAL VIEW OF THE NORTHEAST CORNER FROM THE EAST
20. EXTERIOR, PARTIAL VIEW OF THE EAST ELEVATION OF THE SERVICE WING, WITH SCALE
21. EXTERIOR, PARTIAL VIEW OF THE EAST ELEVATION OF THE SERVICE WING, WITHOUT SCALE
22. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF THE PORTE-COCHERE FROM THE NORTH WITH THE MARK TWAIN CARRIAGE HOUSE (HABS No. CT-365-A) IN THE BACKGROUND
23. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF THE PORTE-COCHERE AND EAST ELEVATION FROM THE NORTH
24. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF THE EAST ELEVATION OF THE PORTE-COCHERE
25. EXTERIOR, EAST ELEVATION, VIEW OF THE FIRST FLOOR PORCH AND PORTE-COCHERE FROM THE SOUTHEAST
26. EXTERIOR, EAST ELEVATION, VIEW NORTH FROM PORCH DECK TO THE PORTE-COCHERE FROM THE SOUTH
27. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF THE WIND-SCREEN ON THE NORTH WALL OF THE PORTE-COCHERE
28. EXTERIOR, VIEW FROM THE DECK OF THE UMBRA TO THE EAST PORCH FROM THE SOUTH
29. EXTERIOR, VERTICAL VIEW OF UMBRA, SOUTH TOWER, AND CONSERVATORY FROM THE SOUTHEAST
30. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF THE UMBRA, FROM THE SOUTH
31. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW ALONG WEST ELEVATION OF THE UMBRA TO A FIRST FLOOR WINDOW ON THE SOUTH ELEVATION
32. EXTERIOR, PARTIAL VIEW OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION
33. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF THE CONSERVATORY FROM THE DECK OF THE UMBRA
34. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF QUARTER-ROUND ENCLOSURE AND ENTRANCE TO THE BUTLER'S PANTRY ON THE WEST (REAR) ELEVATION FROM THE SOUTH, WITH SCALE
35. EXTERIOR, VIEW OF QUARTER-ROUND ENCLOSURE AND ENTRANCE TO THE BUTLER'S PANTRY ON THE WEST (REAR) ELEVATION FROM THE SOUTH, WITHOUT SCALE
36. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF GABLE WITH CHIMNEY IN BACKGROUND FROM THE SOUTHEAST
37. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF GUTTERS AND DRAINAGE PIPES ON EAST ELEVATION FROM SOUTHEAST
38. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF CLERESTORY WINDOWS OF THIRD FLOOR, EAST ELEVATION
39. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF SECOND FLOOR WINDOW AND DORMER ROOF ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SOUTH ELEVATION FROM THE SOUTH
40. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF TEXAS DECK (PORCH), THIRD FLOOR, SOUTHEAST CORNER FROM THE SOUTHEAST
41. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF THE THIRD FLOOR PORCH ON GABLED SOUTHWEST CORNER FROM SOUTHEAST
42. EXTERIOR, DETAIL VIEW OF SLATE SHINGLES ON ROOF AND JIG-SAWED FRET WORK SKIRTING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TEXAS DECK (PORCH)
43. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, VIEW TO NORTH WALL AND EAST (FRONT) ENTRANCE DOOR FROM THE SOUTHWEST
44. INTERIOR FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, EAST (FRONT) ENTRANCE DOOR FROM THE WEST
45. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, FIREPLACE ON NORTH WALL
46. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, VIEW OF STAIRCASE IN SOUTHWEST CORNER FROM THE NORTH
47. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, DETAIL OF NEWEL POST WITH LAMPS FROM THE NORTH
48. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, ENTRANCE HALL, DETAIL OF BUST OF SAMUEL CLEMENTS AND WALL STENCILING
49. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, NORTH WALL FROM SOUTHEAST
50. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE WEST
51. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, ELEVATION OF SOUTH WALL AND FIREPLACE, WITH SCALE
52. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, SOUTH WALL, EAST DOOR, FULLY CLOSED WITH LATCH
53. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, SOUTH WALL, EAST DOOR, PARTIALLY OPENED
54. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRAWING ROOM, SOUTH WALL, EAST DOOR, FULLY OPEN
55. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DINING ROOM, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE SOUTH
56. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DINING ROOM, GENERAL VIEW SOUTH INTO LIBRARY FROM NORTH
57. COPY OF HISTORIC VIEW OF WEST WALL OF DINING ROOM, date & photographer unknown; property of Mark Twain House.
58. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DINING ROOM, VIEW OF WEST WALL FROM EAST, DUPLICATING HISTORIC VIEW (SEE CT-359-51)
59. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DINING ROOM, VIEW OF NORTHWEST CORNER WITH FIREPLACE AND WINDOW ABOVE ON NORTH WALL
60. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DINING ROOM, EAST WALL, POCKET DOORS TO DRAWING ROOM
61. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, VIEW OF ALCOVE ON WEST WALL
62. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, EAST WALL WITH FIREPLACE AND MANTLE, WITH SCALE
63. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, EAST WALL WITH FIREPLACE AND MANTLE, WITHOUT SCALE
64. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, EAST WALL, DETAIL VIEW OF FIREPLACE AND MANTLE, WITH SCALE
65. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, EAST WALL, DETAIL VIEW OF FIREPLACE AND MANTLE, WITHOUT SCALE
66. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, LIBRARY, SIDE VIEW OF WEST WALL FIREPLACE AND MANTLE FROM THE SOUTH
67. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, OBSERVATORY, VIEW FROM THE LIBRARY TO THE SOUTH
68. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, MAHOGANY GUEST ROOM, VIEW TO THE NORTH WINDOWS AND EAST DOOR FROM THE SOUTH
69. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, MAHOGANY GUEST ROOM, GENERAL VIEW TO THE NORTH
70. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, MAHOGANY GUEST ROOM, EAST WALL, DETAIL OF SPEAKING TUBE MOUTHPIECE (TUBE TO KITCHEN)
71. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, MAHOGANY GUEST ROOM, DETAIL OF FIREPLACE AND MANTLE IN NORTHWEST CORNER FROM THE EAST
72. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, DRESSING ROOM, GENERAL VIEW TO THE SOUTH
73. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, BATH, VIEW TO THE NORTH
74. INTERIOR, FIRST FLOOR, BATH, VIEW TO EAST
75. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, STAIR HALL, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE NORTH
76. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR STAIR HALL, DETAIL OF STAIRCASE FROM THE NORTH
77. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, MR. AND MRS. CLEMENS' BEDROOM, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE NORTHEAST
78. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, MR. AND MRS. CLEMENS' BEDROOM, DETAIL OF GAS EXTENSION 'CORD' FROM GASOLIER TO LAMP, VIEW FROM NORTHEAST
79. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, MR. AND MRS. CLEMENS' BEDROOM, ROOM, DETAIL VIEW OF FIREPLACE ON SOUTH WALL
80. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, LANGDON GUEST ROOM, GENERAL VIEW FROM EAST
81. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, WEST SIDE BATH, VIEW OF SINK
82. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, WEST SIDE BATH, VIEW OF THE TUB, WITH SCALE
83. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, WEST SIDE BATH, VIEW OF THE TUB, WITHOUT SCALE
84. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, SCHOOL ROOM, GENERAL VIEW TO THE SOUTHEAST CORNER
85. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, SOUTHEAST CORNER BATH, VIEW FROM THE WEST
86. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, CLARA AND JEAN'S BEDROOM, DETAIL VIEW OF FIREPLACE, MANTLE AND DOOR
87. INTERIOR, SECOND FLOOR, SUSY'S BEDROOM, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE SOUTH
88. INTERIOR, THIRD FLOOR, STAIR HALL, GENERAL VIEW FROM THE NORTH
89. INTERIOR, THIRD FLOOR, BILLIARD ROOM, GENERAL VIEW TO THE SOUTH
90. INTERIOR, THIRD FLOOR, BILLIARD ROOM, SOUTH WALL, DETAIL OF TRANSLUCENT CARVED MARBLE WINDOW ON THE EAST SIDE
91. INTERIOR, THIRD FLOOR, BILLIARD ROOM, SOUTH WALL, DETAIL OF TRANSLUCENT CARVED MARBLE WINDOW ON THE WEST SIDE

CARD #

CT0332