Mark Twain's Legacy: A Model for Sustainability

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Like many other rural communities, Hannibal, Missouri is struggling to survive in a global economy. Despite its challenges, Hannibal is gifted with its location on the Mississippi River and its imaginative and literal association with Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens). Readers around the world identify the city as the home of Twain’s stories, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. These rich natural and cultural resources can provide a sustainable future for the town and at the same time contribute positively to human society. Cultural tourists come to Hannibal to experience the place that inspired Twain’s beloved works which are thoroughly steeped in nature. His stories can help people connect to and be inspired to help preserve our natural heritage. Concomitantly, the income generated by cultural tourism helps sustain the community by supporting attractions, lodging, dining, and shopping establishments. Twain not only helps readers connect positively to nature but also to other human beings. His central message is compassion and respect for the dignity of every person. By presenting Twain and his beliefs to the public the museum can help promote a more just and humane society as it provides a sustainable future. The environment, culture, and the economy can support one another for the benefit of all.

The presentation will discuss Hannibal’s unique attributes and its model for sustainability. It will also talk about how communities can look at their own assets and map a strategy to synthesize these resources so that they support one another and the community for the long term. Mark Twain’s capacity for recognizing an environment worthy of thoughtful caretaking is reflected in his impression of Mauritius: “You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

Stream: Cultural Sustainability

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Regina received her Bachelors degree from Tufts University in English and German and earned a Masters in American Studies from Boston College. She received her Ph.D. in American Studies from Saint Louis University and then a Master’s in History with a certificate in Museum Studies from University of Missouri-St. Louis. While in graduate school, Faden worked at the Samuel Cupples Historic House Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art at Saint Louis University before joining the Missouri Botanical Garden as a corporate and foundations fundraising officer. Faden joined Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum as executive director in 2004. Under her leadership the museum developed its first strategic plan, redesigned and expanded its website, initiated a $6 million capital campaign, and created its successful series of Teachers Workshops to empower educators to bring Mark Twain’s works into the classroom. For the past ten years Faden has taught American Literature and History at various colleges and universities, including Saint Louis University and Fontbonne University. During the past academic year, she taught American History at Hannibal LaGrange and Women’s History at Culver-Stockton College.

Cindy Lovell holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Iowa and serves as associate professor of education at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. She is the author of two children’s novels and numerous articles and publications. Lovell founded the HATS (High Achieving Talented Students) Program for gifted and high achieving 4th – 9th grade students at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida and continues to serve HATS in an advisory capacity. She serves as the TAG Progeny editor for the Mensa Research Journal and is a reviewer for Florida Reading Quarterly. Lovell’s areas of expertise include gifted education, English as a new language, and Mark Twain. She serves the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, Missouri as volunteer education coordinator where she co-directs the Mark Twain Teacher Workshops and the Mark Twain Young Authors Workshop.