We're here for you.

To our community

This is an unprecedented situation. It is tragic and an economic disaster for many businesses, families, and individuals everywhere. Like everyone else, this caught us by surprise, and as a small non-profit, we face risks and an uncertain future. At this point we are fortunate that our staff of 22 full-timers are at home and employed, with only a skeleton crew on site to maintain full time security and maintenance. We deeply miss our visitors and we suspect that they miss us. This grand house was made for guests; it was a revolving door of pleasant, intriguing folks in the Clemens era and has remained that way ever since, in many forms. We are unwilling to change that.

What can the museum do given the circumstances? A lot as it turns out. We are all looking for something to do as we work from home, and our role is to help you be entertained and educated, sometimes at the same time. Our staff is working hard to create programs, and we urge you to take part. Clicking here will take you to an outline of our many digital offerings for children, adults, and families. We have lectures, a fantastic virtual 3D tour, and fun activities for children as well as programs for students.

Our entire income is made up of donations at this time and we ask you to consider a heartfelt contribution. This place matters so much. While it is an internationally important historic site, we are not funded in any significant way by anything other than private donations and our admissions. Whether you can contribute $5 or $1,000, it all genuinely helps. I very much hope that you will give, if you cannot give now, please consider giving later. Click here to donate.

Regardless, the programs are free at this point and your attendance is meaningful to us, so please enjoy!

Of course, I can’t let you go without a quote, and as usual Twain had a good one:

“I feel for Adam and Eve now, for I know how it was with them….The Garden of Eden 

I now know was an unendurable solitude. I know that the advent of the serpent was a 

welcome change–anything for society.”

-Mark Twain, Autobiography, Vol. 2, June, 1906

With best regards- stay home, stay safe, and stay occupied with us,

Pieter Roos

Executive Director