8 cent stamp issued in 1972Miss Watson she took me in the closet and prayed but nothing come of it. Miss Mary Jane, you can’t abear to see people in trouble, and I can’t — most always. Tell me about it. Well I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence everyday?She….filled him up every day with quack cure alls.Tom, Tom, We’re lost! We’re lost!!Twain’s words of wisdom click to enlarge and readimagine riding a raft., in the dark……..
My last Hannibal post is the Mark Twain Museum Gallery – most probably my favorite because it gave me the chance to step into the pages of Twain’s most famous books. With a little imagination, I could ride a raft with Huck and Jim, explore a cave with Tom & Becky, and paint the famous whitewashed fence. Also, the Museum Gallery features 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings, as well as a wealth of artifacts from Twain’s life. In 1935 Norman Rockwell was chosen to create the illustrations in the special editions of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huck Finn. Some of these illustrations are in my photos above along with their captions. The original paintings were given to the museum before Rockwell died in 1978. Remember…….
“Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.” Mark Twain
Hilly HannibalBrief encounter with Tom and Becky. Soak in the history.The benches beckon you to stayRiverboat pilot Samuel ClemensHannibal’s Library dates back to 1902
Hannibal’s historic downtown has that warm hometown feeling you do not want to miss. Plenty of places to eat, shop, stroll and explore. Keep an eye out for the many colorful murals displayed on the buildings through out the town. With Hannibal dating back to 1819, I loved the old, brick buildings , impeccably maintained, inviting and repurposed for today’s time. Continue another block or two from the historic downtown to the banks of Mississippi River. Walk the wonderful paved path along the river front or sit a spell on a bench and enjoy the river’s ambiance and the nature that surrounds it. Weather permitting, take a ride on a Riverboat. See the larger than life bronze sculpture of Samuel Clemens as a young riverboat pilot, a career path Clemens tried before becoming a writer. Relax and soak in all of the intoxicating surrounding beauty.
Mark Twain’s last visit to HannibalTom and Huck Statue 1926Grants Drug StoreChildhood friends ,Mark Twain and Laura Hawkins , who became lifelong friendsLaura Hawkins /Becky Thatchers house Laura was Twain’s model for Becky in his writings.Grants Drug store for what ails you!Twain’s Boyhood home and Tom Huck’s picket fenceThese are all the characters in the first 4 books that Mark Twain wrote. What a great idea!!
Samuel Clemens ( 1835-1910), lived in Hannibal, Missouri for most of his boyhood years. It was from these years and the town of Hannibal that gave Twain ideas and models for his writings, such as the Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn adventures. Clemens took the pen name ” Mark Twain” when he began to write in 1869 and quickly grew into a famous author, a humorist and a wise man. Besides his 28 books, and numerous short stories, Twain is also known for his “words of wisdom” such as: “A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.” I am a huge fan of Mark Twain’s sayings! I tried to find a total count of Twain’s “words of wisdom” sayings , and the closest I could figure was over 230. Hannibal has set up a wonderful tribute and tour to Samuel Clemens’ boyhood years in Hannibal, and the future life of Mark Twain. I took a self guided walking tour of Clemens boyhood home, Becky Thatcher’s home (which in reality is the home of Clemens’ lifelong friend from childhood, Laura Hawkins), Clemens father’s Justice of the Peace Office, Grants Drug store and the apartment above the drug store where Clemens lived with his family for a brief time. There are also statues, a cave, a lighthouse, museums and riverboats to visit that have a Mark Twain (lovingly) twist to them. All are interesting, enjoyable and well done. I only had 2 days in Hannibal and I missed a lot, so plan your time accordingly. Top it off with the charming town of Hannibal and it all creates a wonderful get away!
Remember – you can click on any individual photo to enlarge it. : ) Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!!
Jeannie's Travel Addiction 