I'm in


On 9/23/10 8:04 PM, "Cindy Lovell" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Dear Forum Members,
> 
> We are all rightfully addicted to the excellent Twain conference held in El=
> mira every four years.  Barb Snedecor and her colleauges turn out a flawles=
> s, perfectly executed endeavor that bestows upon each of us unique and last=
> ing memories in a setting of kinship and camaraderie.  No one is a stranger=
>  in Elmira.  Many of you have contributed in terms of papers, presentations=
> , etc.; the collaboration is extensive and necessary.  And appreciated.
> 
> Henry Sweets and I have talked to a few of you in general terms - throwing =
> out feelers - about the museum hosting a Twain conference here in Hannibal =
> during the in-between years.  We've had enough positive feedback to take it=
>  to the next level: all of you here on the Mark Twain Forum.  We would in n=
> o way want to detract (or distract) from Elmira (knowing full well that is =
> simply not possible nor desirable) but would only like to provide a wee "fi=
> x" to sustain us in between those long four year periods.  We also believe =
> that Hannibal (and nearby Florida) have much to offer in our own right in t=
> erms of Sam Clemens's story, and this would give Twain scholars a chance to=
>  romp through the boyhood haunts.  We are now seeking your insights on the =
> possibility of hosting a conference here starting in August 2011.
> 
> A few points:
> -Hannibal-LaGrange College can host us in terms of meeting rooms, dorms, et=
> c.
> -Tentatively thinking of August 11-13, 2011 (dates of availability of campu=
> s) - trying to stay ahead of the fall semester (back-up dates: July 28-30)
> -Could provide a menu of tours and activities (riverboat, cave lantern tour=
> s, Quarry Farm visit, behind the scenes museum tours, cemetery tours, Jacks=
> on's Island tour, etc.)
> -If greenlighted by the likes of you all, we'd need a small committee of vo=
> lunteers to oversee a call for papers, etc.
> -If no one sees a problem with this (let's hope you jump up and down and sa=
> y, "Yes, this just might hold me over until we all get together again in El=
> mira in 2013!"), we would need to get started right away.
> -We would need a theme (childhood? river? slavery? no theme needed?)
> -We could think of this as a "pilot" conference.  If we do it and the feedb=
> ack suggests we go no further, no harm done.  But we do feel compelled to p=
> resent Hannibal (and Florida) in an academic forum and believe this idea ha=
> s merit.
> -We can't do it without you.
> 
> Some "FYI" highlights about the museum - This year we have:
> -installed several new permanent exhibits (handmade rug pallet in the Boyho=
> od Home with panels discussing slavery in the Clemens household; period fur=
> niture in the reconstructed Blankenship home and panels discussing slavery;=
>  etc.),=20
> -launched a literary journal (The Village Pariah) inspired by Twain/Hanniba=
> l/"place" (Ron Powers graciously provided our introductory essay) Subscript=
> ions available!
> -completed restorations of the exterior of the Laura Hawkins/Becky Thatcher=
>  home; moving indoors this winter to continue work
> -borrowed the "missing" Rockwell painting (whitewashing scene) for an exten=
> ded loan, so we now have all 16 under one roof=20
> -recently hired African American storyteller Gladys Coggswell (author of St=
> ories from the Heart: Missouri's African America Heritage - U of Missouri P=
> ress) to do storytelling at the museum (slave narratives, Mary Ann Cord's s=
> tory, etc.)
> -begun the historic preservation of the 1844 Van Swearingen house (a gift f=
> rom Martin Zehr) to sell next year as a benefit for the museum (Thank you, =
> Martin and Susan!)
> -completed our 4th series of teacher workshops and 3rd young authors worksh=
> op=20
> (If you're interested, young author stories:=20
> http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/08/mountain_gap_middle_student_wa.html=20
> and=20
> http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/06/05/twain-=
> leaves-mark-on-student-bound-for-authors-homeland.html)
> 
> We also learned recently we will receive the Governor's 2010 Humanites Awar=
> d in October, and recent visitors included Senator Claire McCaskill and Pri=
> nce Albert of Monaco.  Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley (O Brother, Where Art=
>  Thou?) will perform here this Sunday; Ken Burns' pianist will perform on t=
> he Gabrilowitsch piano Oct. 28, and our CD tribute to Mark Twain is schedul=
> ed for release on Nov. 30 (Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Vin=
> ce Gill, Doyle Lawson, Carl Jackson, etc.). =20
> 
> Again, my main reason for this email was to ask for your ideas, thoughts an=
> d yes, blessings, to give this Hannibal conference a try, but I thought I'd=
>  go ahead and share some other information in case you haven't been to the =
> website - or Hannibal - lately.  We appreciate all of you and your efforts =
> in preserving the legacy of Sam Clemens, and we are proud to play a small r=
> ole as well.
> 
> It's been a great 2010 so far!  Here's hoping for an even better 2011.
> 
> Thank you,
> Cindy
> 
> 
> Cindy Lovell, Ph.D.
> Executive Director
> Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
> 
> 120 N. Main St.
> Hannibal MO 63401
> Phone: 573-221-9010 ext. 402
> Cell: 386-748-1256
> Fax: 573-221-7975
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Web site: http://marktwainmuseum.org/
> 
> Have you signed our petition to designate 2010 as "The Year of Mark Twain" =
> yet?  Click here, sign, and pass it on! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/de=
> signate-2010-the-year-of-mark-twain
> 
> "Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker wi=
> ll be sorry." ~Mark Twain