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Mark Twain (real name, Samuel Clemens) was perhaps America's greatest writer. He died 100 years ago but his Connecticut connections are still very much alive. Wilton Historical Society celebrates them with "Wilton's Neighbor, Mark Twain," an exhibit running September 1 through October 31. On Sunday, September 12, an opening event taps Twain's works for colorful family activities: from 1-3 p.m., there is picket fence whitewashing, toy paddleboat building and needle and thread testing. Churning homemade ice cream and baking apples show visitors what cooking entailed in Twain's time. A wine and cheese tasting follows from 3:30-4 p.m and the day finishes with a 19th Century dance in the Historical Society's Abbott barn. The ZuZazz String Orkestra provides the music.
A fascinating aspect of this centennial year of Twain's death is that, for the first time, his full autobiography will be released. He had stipulated that only some of it could be made public earlier. As Wilton Hsitorical Society explains on its website, "Mark Twain left instructions that only portions of his three-volume autobiography could be published, sequentially and at given intervals, according to his will. Although much of his reputation has rested on his humorous writings, he knew that other portions of his work were, and would remain, more controversial. He directed, therefore, that 100 years would have to pass after his death before the entire autobiography could be released for publication. That year is 2010, and the first full edition of Volume I has been prepared by a distinguished group of scholars for publication in November, with the second and third volumes to follow later." Sounds like a must-read and Wilton's exhibit, a terrific introduciton. For more information, visit Wilton Historical Society's website.
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