Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum

Officers 2007 - 2008

Annette Bolt
Sally Carrier
Dorothy Conklin
Joanne Lemnios
Barbara Thomsen
Wendy Wolcott

The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum is the volunteer organization that has supported the museum for more than 50 years.

The Friends began as the Women's Committee in 1952 when, according to then–President Walter K. Schwinn, the Board of Trustees sought to add to its membership "women with the time for and interest in planning benefits, cataloguing acquisitions and organizing membership campaigns."

In 1954, when the first major fund raiser (a reading from Twain's works by Governor John Lodge) was planned for Mark Twain's birthday, it was women (both trustees and volunteers) who developed the mailing list of 2,000 names, gave dinner parties in their homes, and scrubbed the floors of the house to impress first–time visitors.

A year after its formation, the Women's Committee was functioning in many responsible jobs: guiding tours, helping care for the collections, decorating the house for Christmas, and planning a benefit fashion show. Formal meetings of the whole Committee were only periodic; but the minutes portray a growing and enthusiastic membership that gave countless hours in a variety of supporting roles for the Mark Twain Memorial.

When the Trustees announced a campaign to raise $85,000 to complete restoration of the House in time for its centennial in 1974, the Women's Committee enthusiastically pledged to contribute $10,000. Hard work and a lot of fun went into achieving the goal by organizing benefit film performances, another fashion show, an advertising supplement, and other special activities.

In its first decade, the Committee contributed over $19,000 to the House. Most of the funds went to the operating budget of The House, but some were designated for special projects, such as "Twain–related items to sell in the Visitor's Center."

In 1993 the Women's Committee celebrated its 21st anniversary. The name became the Friends of The Mark Twain Memorial reflecting the interest in membership that now included men. From 40 initial members, the membership has grown to over 200 diversified members. In 1994 as The Mark Twain House became the official name, the Friends formally became the Friends of The Mark Twain House, and in 2003, the Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum.

When in 1999 The Mark Twain House started a capital campaign to raise funds for a new Visitors and Education Center, the Friends voted to support this undertaking by contributing $30,000. On April 3, 2002 ground was broken for the new Center, starting the realization of a dream. The Museum Center was previewed by the guests of the Friends' Gala on November 15, 2003 before opening to the public. Several times through this period John Boyer, Executive Director, and successive Trustee Presidents have thanked the Friends not only for their wonderful fundraising help but their time, talents and resources lent to The Mark Twain House & Museum.

The Holiday House Tour, now in its 25^th year, is sponsored by Friends of the Mark Twain House & Museum and features Mark Twain's own 19–room mansion as well as several impressive, private homes in the area. This yearly event has proven to be a major fundraiser for the Friends and The Mark Twain House & Museum.

It is astonishing to realize that since 1967 through the Museum opening, the Friends, in their fundraising efforts with the Holiday Galas and Holiday House Tours, have contributed nearly $1,000,000 to the operating funds of The Mark Twain House & Museum.