The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is in the running for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant during the month of November.

If awarded, this grant will fund the ongoing restoration of the Becky Thatcher House, creating instant jobs in Hannibal as workers are hired to work on the interior during the winter months. The Museum began in last place at 340, but with community support has climbed to 65th place. The top two placements will each be awarded $250,000 when voting ends on November 30th.

“We have been grateful for the enthusiastic response in Hannibal and Quincy,” said Cindy Lovell, executive director. “Several businesses have told us that they promote ‘daily voting’ with their employees, such as LulaBelle’s and HNB Bank. Java Jive, Swiss Colony and others have jumped in to help along with the faculty at HLG and Quincy University. Many of the high school students have reported texting in their votes during their lunch break. We are tremendously grateful as this will benefit the entire community.”

Voting is easy. Supporters can text Pepsi at 73774 with this numeric message: 104141. This is the museum’s grant number, and no other information is needed. Votes can also be made online at: http://www.refresheverything.com/savemarktwain but supporters are reminded to sign in to the Pepsi site before voting so the vote will count. Daily voting is encouraged through the end of the month. While on the site viewers can see a video featuring Paige Cummins as Becky Thatcher and Alex Addison as Tom Sawyer that was made last summer in preparation for the grant.

In a coincidence of dates, voting for the Pepsi grant will end on the 175th anniversary of Samuel Clemens’s birthday, Tuesday, Nov. 30th. The Museum is planning an entire day of free admission and festivities and is hoping that with the community’s support they can also celebrate the winning of this grant. This is a unique opportunity for the community to support the Museum without being asked to make donations.

When the Becky Thatcher House reopens to the public, the home will offer interactive exhibits that tell the story of childhood in Hannibal during the mid-1800s, including the story of slave children. There will also be classroom space for educational programs.

Image: Becky Thatcher House, Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum

Vote at: http://www.refresheverything.com/savemarktwain

www.marktwainmuseum.org

Related posts:

1. Morgan Library & Museum Opens Mark Twain: A Skeptic’s Progress
2. Ava Gardner Museum Awarded Grant from The Winston-Salem Foundation
3. The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Announces 2010 Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative Grant Recipients