‘Curator’s Tour’ offers unique dimension to Twain journey

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A QR code next to a portrait offers Mark Twain Museum visitors an explanation of why Mark Twain wore a white suit. The audio clipping by Henry Sweets is part of the “Curator’s Tour” now offered throughout the museum complex. Try out the QR code for yourself. Hear the short narrative by long-time Mark Twain Museum curator Henry Sweets.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

Henry Sweets, the time-honored, retired curator of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, possesses a unique mental collection of “behind the scenes” stories about what transpired upon the Mark Twain Museum properties during his 40-year tenure. These little-known tidbits of information, when pulled together, compile an interesting recollection of the history of the Twain property’s growth and development.

Now retired, Sweets left behind - at the request of the board - audio recordings of his key memories.

These recordings have been segmented into 30 audio snippets - easily accessible via QR code to ticket holders - dotted throughout the eight buildings on the museum campus. Some codes are inside the buildings, and others are nearby.

And to Hannibal residents with a keen curiosity of the past, admission to the museum - plus the unique QR code offerings, are free. 

Megan Rapp, executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, explains that the process of recording and  disseminating the stories for public consumption began before she took on her role with the museum in May 2024. The concept, later named “Curator’s Tour,”  came from the museum board.

Board members were taking a tour of the properties with Henry Sweets, and noticed that he told stories that weren’t included in the typical tour.

Once such story, as paraphrased by Rapp, is titled the “No Helicopter Rule.”

She told this story with a light giggle in her voice.

Jaques Cousteau, a French naval officer, oceanographer, filmmaker and author, came to Hannibal circa 1983.

Cousteau arrived via helicopter, and when asked, Sweets gave permission for the helicopter to land  on the brick area between the boyhood home and the Becky Thatcher house.

Cousteau spent an hour touring, before the helicopter and explorer exited.

At the next home board meeting, Sweets was asked who gave permission for the helicopter to land on the mall. Sweets admitted he granted the go ahead, which lead to a new rule: No helicopters can land on museum property.

The typical Curator’s Tour segment is 20 to 40 seconds. “Some of them give a little bit more history of the buildings and restoration, and some are just interesting tidbits about the artifact. They all have a headline,” Rapp said, and can be accessed via a smart phone.

“We also have a wifi network; you scan the code to get on our wifi, then use your smart phone.” This is helpful for international visitors, she said. 

While QR codes are rapidly becoming a common means of transmitting information, there are those who still are not familiar with the process.

They do ask that participants to use earbuds while listening to the Curator’s Tour, so they are not disturbing other visitors. For those who do not have ear buds, they can purchase a set for $3 that will work with their cell phones.

There is also an option in which visitors can read the transcript. This is particularly helpful for the hearing impaired.

Are people utilizing the QR codes to gain additional information? “It is dependent on people’s interest and how much time they have,” Rapp said. “The younger visitors tend to scan the QR codes, maybe they’re there with their parents.”

For those unfamiliar with accessing QR codes, Rapp said that there is always museum staff nearby to help.

Sometimes it is as simple as teaching visitors the various functions of their cell phones.

“One visitor said the QR codes weren’t working. Our employee at the center made sure the earbuds were working, that the plug was all the way in, and it was still not working.”

Upon investigation, they found that the visitor had the volume on the phone turned all the way down.

Another user error: People don’t know how to scan a QR code.

To activate the QR code, scan the code with your phone’s camera, then touch the screen.

“Some visitors were taking a photo of the QR code,”Rapp said.

“People have discovered new things about their phones,” she said. The museum staff helps people work through these issues. “That’s how you learn,” she said. “We have people around to help.”

The project was underwritten by Gilstrap Restaurants Ltd, Hannibal McDonalds.