American Museum and Gardens facts for kids
The American Museum
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| Established | 1961 |
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| Location | Claverton, Bath, Somerset, England |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Reference #: | 1214609 |
The American Museum and Gardens is a special place near Bath, England. It's the only museum outside the United States that focuses on American history and culture. You can find amazing collections of American art and everyday items here. The museum is inside a beautiful old house, surrounded by lovely gardens. These gardens offer great views of the River Avon valley.
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What is Claverton Manor?
The museum is housed in a grand country home called Claverton Manor. It was built for John Vivian, a lawyer, between 1819 and 1820. The famous architect Jeffry Wyatville designed this impressive house. It sits on a steep hill, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) east of Bath.
How was Claverton Manor built?
The house has three floors and is made from smooth, cut stone. The side facing the river valley has curved sections and tall Ionic columns. The south side features five sections, with three central ones decorated with pilasters (flat columns) under a triangular pediment. A tall wall with decorative urns stands to the south. A wing to the north holds service rooms. The building and its walls were officially recognized as important in 1956. A two-story coach house and stables were also built around 1820.
Who lived at Claverton Manor?
Many interesting people owned the estate before it became a museum. Sir Edward Hungerford, a Member of Parliament, owned it in the early 1600s. Later, the Bassett family lived there. In 1758, Ralph Allen, who owned the famous Bath stone quarries, bought it. John Vivian bought the estate in 1816 and built the current house. His son, George Vivian, an artist, helped create the beautiful gardens.
The Vivian family sold the house in 1869. Later, the Skrine family owned it. In 1897, the gardens hosted the first public speech by Winston Churchill, who later became a famous Prime Minister. During World War II, the house was used by the RAF Balloon Command to help protect the area. In 1958, John Judkyn and Dallas Pratt bought the house. They were the people who started the museum.
Discover the American Museum
The American Museum was created by two friends who loved collecting antiques. Dallas Pratt was an American doctor from New York. His partner, John Judkyn, was a British designer who became an American citizen. They opened the museum to the public on July 1, 1961.
What is the museum's goal?
The museum's main goal is to teach people about American history and culture. It helps strengthen the friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom. It's a very popular place, with over 3 million visitors by 2012. The old coach house is now used for special events like weddings.
Richard Wendorf, an American historian, has been the museum's director since 2010.
What can you see in the museum?
The museum's collection is displayed inside Claverton Manor. It includes many American cultural items, decorative arts, and antiques. There are also "Period Rooms" that show how American homes looked from the late 1600s to the 1860s. These rooms are carefully rebuilt to look like real historic American interiors. You can see a Puritan home from the 1600s, an 18th-century tavern, and a fancy bedroom from New Orleans around 1860.
What are the special collections?
The museum has a world-famous collection of Shaker furniture. Shaker furniture is known for its simple, practical design. It also has over 200 quilts and other textiles, with 50 always on display. There's a large collection of over 200 old historical maps. The museum also has the most important collection of American folk art in Europe. Folk art is art made by ordinary people, often with traditional skills.
The collection includes works by artists like Susan Powers, John Brewster, Jr., Ammi Phillips, and William Matthew Prior. You can also see carved eagles by Wilhelm Schimmel and Frederick Myrick.
What about special exhibitions?
Every year, the museum hosts a new exhibition. These exhibitions explore more recent American history. They are located in a separate building from the manor house. The museum's gift shop is also in this building.
Explore the Museum Gardens
The museum's gardens are part of the beautiful River Avon valley. They offer amazing views towards the village of Limpley Stoke and the Kennet and Avon Canal. You can even find a small grotto (a cave-like structure) with a water spout.
What types of gardens are there?
The museum gardens have been updated to show different styles of English and American garden design. When the museum opened in 1961, the famous garden designer Lanning Roper helped create a mixed flower border. Since then, the 30 acres around the house have been developed. They now include a copy of George Washington’s garden from Mount Vernon. There's also a Lewis and Clark trail and an arboretum (a collection of trees) with American trees.
What is the Mount Vernon Garden?
The Mount Vernon Garden is a recreation of a part of George Washington's garden at Mount Vernon. It's located away from the main house. This garden opened on June 26, 1962. In 2018, it was restored to look even more like George Washington's original design.
What is the New American Garden?
The New American Garden officially opened on September 15, 2018. This was part of a big project to improve the lawns and herb gardens right next to the manor house. The museum now has the largest collection of American plants and garden features in the United Kingdom. This garden was designed by American landscape architects Oehme van Sweden (OvS).
The New American Garden uses a free-form style with many native American shrubs, plants, and bulbs. It's designed to fit the hilly land and make the view over the Limpley Stoke Valley even better. This valley is a protected area of natural beauty. A new path called The Winding Way makes it easy for everyone to explore the lawns and the American Rose Collection. This area also has a natural amphitheater, which is used for outdoor shows and events.
How is the museum managed?
The American Museum and Gardens is run by a registered charity. A group of trustees oversees its operations. It was officially set up in 1959 and became a registered charity in 1968.
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The American Museum
