Results from the 2nd Annual Quarry Farm Fireplace Writing Contest
The winners of the 2nd Annual Quarry Farm Fireplace Creative Writing Contest have come to Quarry Farm and recieved the prize, a personal tour inside Quarry Farm for themselves and their classmates. Two area students in grades 2-6 were selected for their creative writings inspired by the fireplace tiles in the Quarry Farm Parlor: Treya Das Banerjee (Carder Elementary, Corning) and Elizabeth McNett (Finn Academy, Elmira).
Carder Elementary (Corning, NY)
Treya Das Banerjee points to the tile that inspired her winning story. 
Treya Das Banerjee reads her winning story to her classmates in the Quarry Farm Parlor 
Treya Das Banerjee and Mrs. Walters, her teacher, are interviewed by a local television news team. 
The students of Carder Elementary enjoy their lunch on the front lawn of Quarry Farm 
Steve Webb, the Quarry Farm Caretaker, lectures on the importance of Mark Twain at Quarry Farm and the surrounding region
Finn Academy (Elmira, NY)
Elizabeth McNett indicates the winning Quarry Farm tile 
Elizabeth McNett reads her story to her clssmates 
Finn Academy enjoying the Quarry Farm view
Mark Twain often encouraged his children to create and tell their own stories based off the tiles adorning the parlor fireplace. The 24 tiles around the fireplace depict fables written by ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop, who utilized animals, such as crows, snakes, mice, and foxes, to illustrate moral lessons.
The winning students and their classmates received a personal tour inside Quarry Farm, something that is normally only open to Twain Scholars. In addition, the were able read their story next to the Quarry Farm parlor fireplace, tour the grounds at Quarry Farm, and enjoy Mark Twain’s favorite dessert: gingerbread, vanilla ice cream, and lemonade.
CMTS has an extensive list of online resources for teachers, available to everyone at no cost to the student, teacher, or school. To access this list, please click here.
CMTS encourages all local schools to participate next year. For more information contact Director Joseph Lemak at [email protected].