This excellent tour should be mandatory for the confirmed Twainiac and/or the committed bibliophile.
We had a most thrilling afternoon enjoying the Living History Tour of Mark Twain’s house where Samuel Langhorne Clemens lived with his family from 1874 to 1891. It was here that he wrote some of his more famous books including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), The Prince and the Pauper (1881), Life on the Mississippi (1883) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884).
The tour begins with his eldest daughter, Susy Olivia Clemens descending the steps to Reception to meet the group, singing the traditional Welsh folk song The Ash Grove (Welsh: Llwyn Onn) composed in the 19th century by the harpist John Thomas. Susy’s ethereal singing voice preceded her appearance at the top of the steps, and sounded as if it were coming from somewhere beyond. She used the lyrics from the English dramatist John Oxenford, and set us all agog with anticipation as to the rest of the proceedings.
Susy was attired in impressive period Victorian costume, complete with her chatelaine. The tour is set in 1889. And it takes one through the rooms on three floors of the house which is well preserved and immaculately maintained with framed photographs of the family and artefacts from their travels. The rooms had fireplaces and speaking tubes to communicate their needs to the kitchen.
The character of Susy Clemens was brought to life by the skill and talent of Miss Olivia Tummescheit. At the request of one of the group and without a moment’s hesitation, she impressed us by adroitly playing the Steinway piano in the grand drawing room. Her inimitable presentation and engaging narrative made it a most worthwhile 75 minutes. Her recollection of the events and affairs of the Clemens family was detailed and she was able to answer the searching questions from the group concerning her parents and her siblings as also their pet cats and squirrel.
Remarkably, Olivia Tummescheit correctly remembered the names of each of our 14-strong group while answering our questions. That is no doubt a testament to her phenomenal memory, which was no doubt evident in the manner in which she was able to carry off the amazing theatrical performance with confidence and aplomb from start to finish.
In summary, this tour will be good for anyone interested in American literature and the life and works of the legendary Mark Twain. This excellent tour should of course be mandatory for the confirmed Twainiac and/or the committed bibliophile.