Gardens of the Gilded Age with Jana Milbocker at The Mark Twain House & Museum

The beauty and grandeur of America’s most celebrated historic landscapes will be explored during Gardens of the Gilded Age with Jana Milbocker on July 16, 2026, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at The Mark Twain House & Museum. This free event features a presentation by author, speaker, and garden designer Jana Milbocker, who will discuss her book Gardens of the Gilded Age: Lavish Landscapes from America’s Golden Era.

The program examines the extraordinary gardens created during the Gilded Age, a period from 1870 to 1920 when wealthy industrialists such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and du Ponts developed lavish estates inspired by European palaces and villas. Through stunning photography and historical insights, attendees will discover the remarkable landscapes, architectural features, and horticultural innovations that continue to captivate visitors today.

Milbocker is the author of several acclaimed garden travel guides and has spent years exploring and documenting exceptional gardens throughout the United States. The discussion will be moderated by Dallas Coursey, a UConn Extension Master Gardener and garden coordinator for The Mark Twain House & Museum.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early or stay after the presentation to enjoy the museum’s gardens. The Museum Store will be open before and after the event, and attendees will have an opportunity to meet the author and have books signed following the program.

The Mark Twain House & Museum is located at 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Admission is free, but advance registration is recommended. For more information and reservations, visit https://marktwainhouse.org/event/gardens-of-the-gilded-age-with-jana-milbocker-in-person/.