BS: Mark Twain on PBS

Subject: Mark Twain on PBS
From: Desdemona
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 03:38 PM

I think there was a thread about this awhile back, but couldn't locate it. I watched Ken Burns' film on Mark Twain yesterday, and I thought it was an excellent---I've always thought of him as the first great American literary voice, but never realised what a fascinating life he'd had; to be born in the South in 1835 & live through the Civil war, emancipation & Reconstruction, to achieve professional and financial success & then lose & regain them, and to make the mark he did on modern literature and see the dawn of 20th century---and to always have something insightful to say about all of it!--just remarkable.. I was wondering who else here had seen it & what their impressions were?

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: SharonA
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 03:45 PM

Here's the link to the other thread: K. Burns/Mark Twain

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: Peg
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 08:29 PM

I watched Part 1 today and can't wait to see part 2! I thought it was amazing. I was born and raised in Elmira NY and seeing the segment on Twain's study got me all choked up. The study was moved from its original location to the Elmira College campus so anyone can go see it...

And Quarry Farm is still there. The film showed the landscapes in the area and reminded me that my beautiful hometown was where Twain spent his pleasant summers for many years...

Olivia Langdon's family home was torn down many years ago to make room for a shopping center...just one of many stupid decisions made by this town which detract from its scenic beauty and its historic legacy...including the recent demolition of the site of Tommy Hilfiger's first store (People's Place, a "unisex" shop in the 1970s) to build a big ugly hockey rink right next to the town common and its beautiful church.

Peg

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 21 Jan 02 - 11:13 PM

I finally got to see most of both parts this Sunday with a few interruptions. Most enjoyable. Always enjoyed his work and bits of information I gleaned over the years. Glad to have so much presented (and available for future viewing) in this package.

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 08:52 AM

Peg: Thanks for the info that Mark Twain's study (the small octagonal building, yes?) is now at the Elmira College campus. Is Quarry Farm open to the public as well?

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 09:07 AM

Here are some links.

The Elmira College campus map (Mark Twain's Study is #4 on the map): Mark Twain's Study

Quarry Farm

Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 09:57 AM

Oops! Sorry about that first link, in my last post above (it doesn't work!). Let me try again:

Elmira College campus map

And here's a bit more about the Mark Twain Study, including summer hours open to the public: The Mark Twain Study

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: Peg
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 11:03 AM

cool Sharon thanks!!!! When I visit Elmira I sometimes take a walk downtown (averting my eyes from the hockey rink eyesore) and sit by the pond on the campus where the octagonal study sits. The film offers a beautiful quotation from Twain about how this lovely little building made him feel when it sheltered him from rain or wind...

Subject: RE: BS: Mark Twain on PBS
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 01:29 PM

If anyone wants to visit, we are an hour south of Elmira, and we have a really nice guest room now ready.

PM me.

~Susan