A farmhouse once owned by Mark Twain is on the market for $1.85 million.
Located in Redding, Connecticut, Twain bought the 18.7-acre home for his daughter Jean Clemens in 1909, according to documents from the Mark Twain Library. The farm was chosen for its proximity to Stormfield, the writer’s main Connecticut estate.
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Jean tragically died at age 29, just a few months after the property was bought—she was found in the bath at Stormfield. Doctors determined that the cause of death was a heart attack that occurred during an epileptic fit, according to the historical records.
Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, passed away a year later, also from a heart attack, at the age of 74. The money he made from the sale of the property was donated to the local library that was built in his name, explained Lois Lehman, of William Raveis, the listing agent for the property.
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The current owners purchased the property in 2013 for $1.5 million and underwent a gut renovation on the five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home, property records show. The family is selling because, "they have more of a hustle and bustle lifestyle than they’d really like, so they need to be closer to Manhattan," Ms. Lehman said.
As it stands, the estate is made up of an antique farmhouse, a barn and an artist’s studio, according to its listing. The farmhouse was built in 1787, and the barn completed in 1860. The barn has since been converted into an apartment with a projection screen, to be used as a guest house.
The property’s pedigree goes beyond its connection to Twain. "Barnum and Bailey circus used to keep circus elephants in the barn," Ms. Lehman said.
The 3,645-square-foot farmhouse’s interiors feature details like Carlisle hickory floors, custom cabinetry, marble counters, a kitchen island with a breakfast bar and Gaggenau appliances inside the chef’s kitchen. Upstairs, there is an attic playroom and dens adjacent to each of the two master suites, according to the listing.
Outside there is a new patio with a fire pit surrounded by a blooming garden.
Other highlights include a sport court, mudroom, gym and a heated gunite outdoor pool.
The home is built in a "postcard perfect New England country style," Ms. Lehman said.