One of America¿s unique and best-loved personalities, Samuel Clemens -- later known as Mark Twain -- was born about one-fourth mile north of this historic site in a rented cabin in the small town of Florida. The cabin is now preserved inside the museum at Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site. The historic site and surrounding Mark Twain State Park stand as a tribute to the author-humorist.

Details of Samuel Langhorne Clemens¿ remarkable life are interpreted through exhibits and audio-visual programs at the museum. Along with the two-room cabin in which he was born, the museum features first editions of Mark Twain¿s works, a handwritten manuscript of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," and furnishings from his Hartford, Conn., home. A public reading room is available for personal study and research. Visitors may see these exhibits and the birthplace year-round (except New Year¿s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). A nominal admission fee is charged.

In the village of Florida, a red granite monument marks the original location of the cabin. Surrounding the state historic site, which offers picnic sites, is the 2,775-acre state park, providing opportunities for camping, hiking, swimming and fishing and access to Mark Twain Lake.

Mark Twain State Park, located in northeastern Missouri, has a history that dates back to Native American tribes and expanded after the Louisiana Purchase. Named after Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), who was born nearby, it became a state park around the late 1920s to mid-1930s on land previously owned by farmers. The New Deal programs under President Franklin D. Roosevelt led to recreational development within the park through agencies like CCC and WPA; workers built structures reflecting rustic architectural styles of that time which still stand today.

A notable feature is Buzzard's Roost Spring, historically used for steam locomotive water before becoming part of leisure amenities when transformed into public recreation grounds. This work occurred as part of conservation efforts across America prior to World War II redirecting funds toward war needs rather than domestic improvements or expansions affecting parks nationwide during this period.

From St. Louis : Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site is approximately 130 miles from the St. Louis Gateway Arch; the trip will take about two and one-half hours depending on traffic. Travel west on I-70 to Exit 210B toward Wentzville/Hannibal. Merge onto U.S. Hwy. 61 N for 48 miles. At Bowling Green, take U.S. Hwy. 54 west for 12 miles. Approximately three miles past Curryville, take Hwy. 154 west for 13 miles. Then take Hwy. 19 north for 11 miles. Turn left back onto Hwy. 154 and travel west through Perry for eight miles. Turn north onto Hwy. 107 and continue for three miles. Turn east onto Route U, then turn onto the first paved road to the right, Shrine Road, and follow it to the historic site.

From Jefferson City : Allow one and half hours for the trip. Take U.S. Hwy. 54 East to Mexico. Take Hwy. 22 west for approximately one mile before turning north/right onto Hwy. 15. Continue on Hwy. 15 for 26 miles. Take Hwy. 154 east for 11 miles then turn left/north onto Hwy. 107 and travel three miles. Turn east onto Route U, then turn on the first paved road to the right, Shrine Road, and follow it to the historic site.

From Springfield : Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site is approximately 243 miles from Springfield; allow four hours for the trip. Travel north on U.S. Hwy. 65 from Springfield for 50 miles. Near Preston, turn right/east onto U.S. Hwy. 54 and continue through Jefferson City to Mexico. Take Hwy. 22 west for approximately one mile before turning north onto Hwy. 15 and traveling 26 miles. Turn right/east onto Hwy. 154 and continue for 11 miles. Take Hwy. 107 north for three miles then turn east onto Route U. Take the first paved road to the right, Shrine Road, and follow it to the historic site.

From Kansas City : Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site is approximately three and one-half hours from downtown Kansas City. Travel east on I-70 for 126 miles. At Columbia, turn left/north onto U.S. Hwy. 63 and continue for 32 miles to Moberly. Turn right/east onto U.S. Hwy. 24. Approximately ten miles east of Paris, turn right/south onto Hwy. 107 and continue for six miles. Turn east onto Route U, then turn onto the first paved road to the right, Shrine Road, and follow it to the historic site.