Nestled in Hartford, Connecticut, the Mark Twain House stands as both a monument to literary genius and an enigmatic symbol of the supernatural. Built in 1874, this 25-room Gothic-style mansion brims with character, with each room seeming to echo tales from the past. Decorated by Louis C. Tiffany & Co., its walls and ceilings are adorned with intricate, haunting beauty, perhaps as mysterious as the stories that have emerged over the years. Twain himself was known for his fascination with ghost stories, a passion he shared freely. He once wrote a heart-wrenching letter to a minister, saying:
“Our house… is become a cemetery. But not in a repellent sense. Our dead are welcome there… we shall have them with us always and there will be no parting.”
This poignant sentiment captures the deep connection Twain felt to those who passed within the house’s walls. Clemens was so fascinated with the paranormal that he joined the Society for Psychical Research in England. While he said he didn’t believe a word of it, he was known to have read their journals “cover to cover.”
Spirits of the Twain Family
The spirit of Twain’s eldest daughter, Olivia Susan Clemens—affectionately known as Susy—seems to linger here. Known for her brilliance, wit, and sensitivity, Susy met a tragic end in 1896 when she succumbed to spinal meningitis in the very home she cherished. As she was cared for in her parents’ mahogany bed by the family maid, she gradually lost her sight before finally lapsing into a coma. Today, visitors and staff believe they occasionally encounter Susy’s spirit. A spectral woman in a white Victorian dress has been seen gliding through the rooms, a silent echo of the once-vibrant young woman.
Susy is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, New. York, surrounded by her family.
George Griffin: Guardian Spirit of the Twain House
Another key figure in the house’s history, George Griffin, was more than a servant—he was family. A former enslaved person, George became a fixture in the Clemens household, overseeing the massive 11,500-square-foot home and even sharing lighthearted bets with Twain over late-night billiard games. Known for his loyalty and good-natured personality, George’s spirit is said to have remained in the house after his death in 1897. Sightings of a Black man standing silently behind tour guides on the third floor have led many to believe George has chosen to stay near the family he served so devotedly.
He is thought to have been the inspiration for the character Jim in Huckleberry Finn. Clemens once described George as: “…handsome, well built, shrewd, wise, polite, always good-natured, cheerful to gaiety, honest, religious, a cautious truth-speaker, devoted friend to the family, champion of its interests…. He was the peace-maker in the kitchen—in fact the peace-keeper, for by his good sense & right spirit & mollifying tongue he adjusted disputes in that quarter before they reached the quarrel-point.”
Paranormal Hot Spots and Ghostly Tales
The Mark Twain House has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations, including by the famed Ed and Lorraine Warren and TAPS, who have made multiple visits. The documented activity spans from the mundane to the downright chilling. Key areas that witness regular activity include:
- Susy’s Room: A soft childlike giggle or the feeling of a gentle tug on clothing can make even the bravest feel a chill.
- The Library: Women report feeling playful tugs on their jewelry and bracelets slipping off unexpectedly, a phenomenon documented after TAPS’ investigation.
- The Master Bedroom and Nursery: Here, people hear mysterious noises—loud bangs that echo without any clear source.
- The Billiard Room: Twain’s beloved cigar smoke sometimes drifts through the air, a smell vividly present despite no obvious origin. Footsteps, laughter, and whispered conversations emerge, as if Twain’s social circle of the past has returned for a quiet evening together.
In 1967, a security guard in the basement reported seeing a silver tray launch across the room, an incident still discussed today. Shadows and strange sounds fill the basement, as if George Griffin or a former maid were still tending to their duties. The unexplained knocking, sudden fire alarms without smoke, and the spectral sight of a woman in period dress make each visit an unforgettable experience.
The Twain House Over the Years
After the Clemens family sold the home in 1903, it passed through various owners and transformations, even becoming apartments and a branch of the Hartford Public Library. But as much as the house adapted to the changing world, the spirits of its past seem to remain anchored.
Each room, from the grand library where Twain’s books line the shelves to the silent bedrooms, holds a piece of history—a history that refuses to be forgotten. The Mark Twain House is a place where stories are etched into every corner, and visitors might just find themselves becoming part of the tale.
For those who dare to explore, remember that you’re not alone in the halls of the Mark Twain House. The past lives on, and if you listen closely, you might hear Twain himself spinning another ghostly tale.
Sources:
The Mark Twain House & Museum – Overview of the house’s history, architecture, and connections to the Twain family.
Journal Inquirer – An article detailing paranormal reports and historical significance of the Mark Twain House.
Love to Know Paranormal – Interviews and accounts of paranormal experiences from staff and visitors.
Connecticut Magazine – Coverage of ghost tours and reported hauntings, including sightings of Susy Clemens and George Griffin.
The Hartford Courant – Historical clippings documenting the home’s transition over the years, from private residence to apartment and museum.
- Notable Clippings: Hartford Courant, Dec 23, 1919, Pg 6; May 24, 1923, Pg 14; Mar 12, 1967, Pg 116
Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) – Articles and obituaries concerning the Clemens family, notably Susy Clemens’ passing.
- Notable Clipping: Star-Gazette, Aug 24, 1896
1 comment
A great read! I’m interested to go visit now!