Ice Cream!

On Thursday, July 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., neighbors from near and far can come to The Mark Twain House & Museum to enjoy lawn games, live music, hot dogs, discounted tours -- and, of course, a refreshing cup of ice cream donated by the UConn Dairy Bar, Shady Glenn, and Royal Ice Cream.


This is the fourth year for The Mark Twain House & Museum Ice Cream Social, which always draws a good crowd. After the social, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a preview screening of the ocumentary Linotype: The Film, a look at the unusual way printing technology changed in Mark Twain's day and after.

The Ice Cream Social this year benefits from a special grant for free programs fromThe First Niagara Bank Foundation.

The event includes:


-- Discounted tours of the first floor of the historic Mark Twain House, available for $5.00 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. All the exhibits in the Museum Center, including the featured exhibit "Race, Rage, and Redemption," will also be free.


-- The renowned Phil Rosenthal Duo will present its lively program of traditional and original folk, bluegrass and country music on the patio, featuring two-part harmony vocals and toe-tapping instrumental work.

-- Woody's Hot Dog Cart will have its famed hot dogs available for purchase.


-- Croquet and other lawn games will be tearing up the Great Lawn for the enjoyment of all ages.


--- And after gorging on sundaes, cap the evening at 7:00 p.m. by previewing Linotype: The Film, a documentary on printing technology (Mark Twain's obsession and the financial bane of his existence). Filmed in part here, Linotype, directed by Doug Wilson, is a fascinating look at the typesetting machine that was the successful rival to Twain's doomed Paige Compositor. The film is co-presented with Youth Journalism International. Admission is by voluntary donation.


The Ice Cream Social originated in 2009 when The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum generously donated an antique icebox for the kitchen of the historic house. To honor the new piece in the collection, the museum hosted the first Ice Cream Social. Due to its success, we have continued this annual event into a fourth year. The Friends still maintain an active volunteer role in the Social, scooping out the goodness for hundreds of visitors.

The house and museum at 351 Farmington Ave. are open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5:30 p.m. For more information, call 860-247-0998 or visit www.marktwainhouse.org.