Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is at 208 Hill St. The complex consists of five historic buildings and two interactive museums related to Hannibal's most famous resident. Visitors begin their tour at the Interpretive Center at 415 N. Main St. where exhibits introduce the family and friends of young Samuel Clemens. His home, at 208 Hill St., is where he lived between the ages of 9 and 17 and was built by his father, John Marshall Clemens in 1843. The restored two-story frame house is decorated with period furnishings. The homes and museum properties along the tour contain interpretive displays, including photographs, first editions of Twain's books, original manuscripts and the desk where he wrote “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”

The Becky Thatcher House, 211 Hill St., is the home of Laura Hawkins, a childhood friend of Twain's who was the inspiration for his Thatcher character. While on Hill Street, visitors also can visit the John M. Clemens Justice of the Peace Office at 205 Hill Street (originally located on Bird Street). The Huckleberry Finn House is a reconstruction of Tom Blankenship's house, Twain's inspiration for Huck Finn. Pilaster House (325 Main St.), formerly Grant's Drug Store, was the home of Dr. Orville Grant, a close Clemens family friend. The Clemens family moved into Dr. Grant's house after losing their own home.

The Mark Twain Museum Gallery, 2 blocks south at 120 N. Main St., features 15 original Norman Rockwell oil paintings that were used as illustrations in special editions of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”; sketches for the paintings were done by Rockwell in Hannibal 1935-36. Interactive exhibits depict scenes from five of Twain's famous books, and live performances take place May through October.

Guided tours are available. Food is available. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.