The American Museum in Britain – Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD

Situated in a glorious Georgian manor house within 120 acres of wonderful grounds and stunning scenery, the American Museum in Britain is home to the finest collection of Americana outside of the United States and has been for over fifty years!
Visitors learn about the Founding Fathers, the pioneers West, Native Americans and the Slavery issue which lead to the Civil War in the new interactive American Heritage Exhibition. This precedes a series of attractive period rooms dating from colonial times until the eve of the Civil War. These rooms set the scene on domestic life throughout the exciting settlement and independence years of America and are accessible via a lift for those who have difficultly with the manor house stairs.
The museum has an outstanding quilt collection which allows us to alter the permanent textile display from time to time (40-50 quilts are on show each year) and an inspiring Folk Art gallery intrigues visitors with whirligigs, cigar store Indians, weathervanes and even a Mohawk ship figurehead!

Each year there is a different special exhibition which enables the Museum to progress beyond the American Civil War (e.g. Dollar Princesses in 2007) or display Museum objects as an extension to the permanent collection (e.g. Classic American Quilts in 2010) or host donor exhibitions (e.g. Marilyn – Hollywood Icon in 2011).

Within the grounds can be found a replica Mount Vernon garden, based on George Washington’s Virginia home, an American arboretum, parkland walks, a Conestoga wagon and a tipi can all be experienced during an afternoon constitutional.
The café serves light lunches from noon - 2.00pm and delicious American cookies & cakes throughout the afternoon.

Music series, re-enactments and family events take place throughout the year; visit the Museums’ website for more information www.americanmuseum.org
Rooms are available for hire onsite for meetings, conferences, dinners and wedding receptions (also licensed for wedding ceremonies).

In November the museum is transformed for the Christmas season; winter activities are shown throughout the period room settings and a large Christmas tree located in the centre of the museum is bedecked with wonderful ornaments hand-made by staff and volunteers. There is a different theme each year.

Opening hours Mid-March – End October and Mid-November – Mid-December, Tuesday-Sunday 12noon-5pm (4.30pm at Christmas). Closed Mondays except during August and on Bank Holidays.

See also:

www.americanmuseum.org

Contributed by: Bob Jones, Helen Hayden