The Mark Twain House's

Conservatory

Like many upper-class late Victorian homes‚ the Clemens home had a conservatory. Theirs had a fountain and was filled with lush‚ thriving plants. Clemens daughters Susy‚ Clara and Jean called this room “The Jungle.”

Master Gardeners arrived at the Mark Twain House in 2009, and immediately went to work to research the structure, learning not only about the plants used there but some of its construction – the white marble-chip floor, for example, and the constantly playing fountain. The conservatory was an important element of the Victorian picturesque architecture that inspired the house’s architect, Edward Tuckerman Potter. Some mid-20th century descriptions say that it was “of a type invented by Harriet Beecher Stowe.” Stowe Center Collections manager Elizabeth Burgess says it’s very possible that Stowe brought the idea back from her trips to England, and thus influenced the general architectural trends of the neighborhood, but she knows of no documented influence on the Clemens’ conservatory specifically. 

The crew of Master Gardeners not only researched the plants that were there in the Clemens era, but also -carefully preserved and encouraged plants placed there by previous gardeners and replaced or added others. Its role as an indoor ecosystem must also be carefully monitored, and our gardeners arrive quietly according to schedule, don their identifying badges, and go to work. Battles are fought and won against mealybug and plant diseases.  Each spring, everything is removed and the whole area cleaned up in preparation for the summer season. The following is a sampling of the Conservatory’s wonders. 

2023 Conservatory Recovery Efforts

In January of 2023 the Mark Twain House’s conservatory was the victim of vandalism. While we were deeply saddened by these events, we were also overwhelmingly moved by the support of our Twain community, near and far, to aid in our recovery. Over 500 people donated to the G0FundMe campaign to help us repair the physical damage to the building and increase security measures. We can not express our gratitude enough.

Along with the physical damage, our conservatory plants also suffered from being exposed to the winter elements. Therefore, we also want to recognized those who have aided us in our efforts to return the conservatory to its former lush glory through the purchase of new plants and related supplies. So thank you to the Connecticut Master Gardeners and the Connecticut Horticultural Society for their grants, to the Briarwood and Beyond Book Club in West Hartford for their donations (pictured), and to everyone who donated through our Museum Center’s donation boxes over the past eight months. Each and every dollar has helped us bring the conservatory back to life.

Last but not least, we have to thank our team of Master Gardeners — Larry, Mary, Helena, and Liz — who continue to dedicate time, effort, and resources to the care of our conservatory plants. Without them the conservatory would not be what it is today: full of well-cared-for, historically accurate, and beautiful plants.

THANK YOU ALL!