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The much needed funding will help the historical house keep its doors open.

The house and museum have been in financial trouble since 2003 when the nonprofit spent nine million dollars more than they could afford on a museum and visitors center.

Susan Richbye, Associate Director of Institutional Giving, says the grant money will help close the two hundred thousand dollar gap this fiscal year.

It definitly helps our current situation. Its an immediate infusion of cash. and the Governor has made this wonderful grant to help fund the museums ongoing operations.

She says in the past months the house has received donations from local corporations, foundations and individuals. Although significant short term progress has been made on closing the deficit, executive director jeffrey nichols says they are not out of the woods. Money needs to be raised for the endowment fund and for the long term stability of the organization.

The grant money came from the State's Contingency Needs Account - which funds operation and improvement expenses of community groups and organizations in pursuit of the public good. Some fifteen thousand students and teachers tour the Mark Twain house and museum each year.