The presentation will reaffirm the importance of Mark Twain’s masterpiece by placing it within the context of the larger history of race relations in America from slavery to the modern Civil Rights Movement. The audience will have the opportunity to not only delve into some of the key turning points in Finn, but also to investigate the context of the book as it relates to race relations historically in the United States, particularly during the so-called “Jim Crow” era. Attendees will gain insight into Mark Twain’s personal motivations for writing this classic novel.

Parents should note that the program is not recommended for age 14 and under.

Craig Hotchkiss has been the education program manager at the Mark Twain House & Museum for more than three years.  Prior to this he was a high school teacher for 33 years. In addition to holding two other advanced degrees, Mr Hotchkiss completed his MA in American Studies at Trinity College in 2008. While in this program he interned at the Mark Twain House.

Mr Hotchkiss has presided over three summer teacher workshops at the museum sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and held at The Mark Twain House in Hartford. The workshops have helped teachers better understand and utilize racial issues inherent in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

While celebrating the 200th anniversary of Phineas Taylor Barnum’s birth (July 5, 1810 in Bethel), The Barnum Museum continues to chronicle the life and times of the extraordinary showman and the history of Bridgeport where Barnum served as Mayor. For a complete listing of anniversary year events celebrating the amazing – and sometimes outrageous – showman, civic leader and politician, visit www.barnum-museum.org.

The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author’s Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works during the years he lived there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

In addition to providing tours of Twain’s restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain’s literary legacy and provide information about his life and times.

The historic section of the Barnum Museum is closed due to the after effects of a tornado on June 24. Air quality reports received on July 15 indicated elevated levels of lead in the 117-year-old structure, which is owned by the City of Bridgeport and on the National Register of Historic Places.

The People’s United Bank Gallery of the museum will continue to be open for a series of previously planned adult and children’s programs during the summer.

The museum has launched a tornado recovery appeal urging people and organizations to make financial contributions at any level to save this treasured landmark.

Also, due to the tornado damage, the main entrance for the museum has been relocated to the left of the historic portion of the building as you face it from Main Street (along the glass walls of the bank). 

Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4:30 pm; and Sunday, noon to 4:30 pm (last admission is at 3:45 each day). Admission to the program is included with regular museum admission: $8, $6 senior citizens and college students, and $5 for ages 4-17.

Call 203-331-1104 or visit BarnumMuseum.org for additional information.