Chappaqua Library Kicks off Mark Twain Tribute

Did you know that Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens? Or that he was turned down for marriage several times by his future wife before she agreed?

Saturday was a chance for folks to learn more about the famouds 19th century author, as the Chappaqua Library kicked off its month-long series, called "Twain's Doman."

“Our main goal and mission for this month is to engage the community, to re-enjoy the works of Mark Twain," said Chappaqua Library Director Pamela Thornton.

The events for the kick off, which will include 26 programs for Twain, started wth a reading of the beginning of "The Adventures of Huckberry Finn" by William Gerrard, who had done a similar event two years ago with "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe.

Gerrard, who is the son of New Castle Supervisor Barbara Gerrard - she was among those giving speeches to kick off the program - delivered the reading in a way that kept to the feel of Huck's narration.

The reading was followed by a slideshow detailing Twain's life and his role in Elmira, NY, which was done by Barbara Snedecor, director for the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College.

Snedecor had several tidbits to discuss, including Twain's family and writing time spent at the Quarry Farm property owned by his in-laws, to his picking up of making different dialects down on paper from interviewing a former slave and domestic servant named Mary Ann Cord.

She also focused on Twain's human side, including his rough and tumble behavior during his earlier years, to his chain smoking of cigars while writing in an octagonal cottage-like building on Quarry Farm.

Many groups were involved, in bringing the Twain series to the library, ranging from library staff, to Friends of the Chappaqua Library, to historical folks who specialize in the author's life.

“Our main goal and mission for this month is to engage the community, to re-enjoy the works of Mark Twain," said Thornton.

The series has been made financially possible due to support from Friends of the Chappaqua Library, whose head, Shobha Vanchiswar, said it is joyous when the community came come together.

Evelyn Bloom, president of the library's Board of Trustees, wondered what Twain would think of today's world.

“Looking at the role of computers, of videos and the Kindles, what would Mark Twain say and do if he were in this room?" she said, noting how the library's services have dramatically changed. "After all, 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court' was time travel, and he was fascinated with science and scientific inquiry.”

The end of the series' beginning came with a cake, given from Key Food in Pleasantville and decorated in 19th century fonts to be similar with the library's promotional poster.

For the full list of upcoming Twain events at the library, which run until Nov. 18, click here.