Mark Twain built this home in 1874. It acquired its LEED Certification on April 19, 2004. The Museum's website has an entire page devoted to the LEED certification: (
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and contains the following information:
"When Mark Twain built his Victorian mansion in 1874, it was the epitome of a modern home, with features such as central heating, hot and cold running water and gas lighting fixtures that were uncommon in homes of the period.
One hundred and thirty years later, the new Museum Center on the grounds of Twain's restored Hartford home is a leader in its own right, becoming the first museum in the nation, and the first building of any kind in Connecticut, to attain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED Certification was presented to the museum at an event April 19, 2004 signaling the start of Earth Week. In addition, the museum was presented with the Environmental Leadership Award from the Connecticut Green Building Council and 2004 GreenCircle Certificate from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection."
and also outlines what was done at the building to make it so "green":
"Geothermal wells will be the predominant heating and cooling source rather than fossil fuel.
A closed-loop system eliminates water lost to evaporation through the cooling tower in a conventional system.
The overall energy efficiency of HVAC system is nearly 30 percent greater than a system designed to building code.
The building is designed to accept future energy–saving enhancements such as photo–voltaic solar panels on the south wall and, potentially, fuel cells.
Local materials from within a 500–mile radius have been employed to reduce transportation energy costs.
Recycled material content exceeds 25 percent throughout the project.
The zoning and the air filtration requirements of the building systems will enhance indoor environmental quality for visitors and staff.
Building materials have been selected to minimize, if not eliminate, the negative consequences of VOCs and other harmful impacts of "off–gassing."
The monumental stair case from the first to second floors is the primary vertical circulation for visitors. It allows the elimination of a passenger elevator, conserving fossil fuel and elevator maintenance costs, and providing a unique visitor experience.
Wood products used in this project are from FSC certified sources that confirm renewable and responsible forestry practices.
Flyash concrete was utilized to reduce the additional heat of hydration resulting from Portland cement–based concrete.
Lighting fixtures at the exterior have been designed to eliminate off-site glare and night-sky impacts.
The extent of the building that is underground contributes to significant reductions in the heat gain and heat loss of the building envelope
Parking has been minimized, thereby reducing storm water runoff and pollution impact. Native vegetation has been selected to eliminate the need for an irrigation system and increased water use. "