American Museum in Bath

 

At the weekend we had a trip to the American Museum of Britain just outside Bath.

I went there a year or so ago with my husband to see the wonderful quilt collection, but this time it was my daughter who wanted to visit as she's hoping to study American Studies at uni next year.

The museum was originally set up in the 60s to display its wonderful American decorative arts collection including the Quilt Collection for which the American Museum first became known (I'll do a separate post on the quilts!), along with examples of Folk Art paintings, furniture, rag rugs, wallpaper examples and Shaker furniture, china and silverware.

Set next to Bath University just on the edge of the beautiful town of Bath, the Museum is housed in Claverton Manor, a lovely building with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside, and its a great day out with something of interest for all ages.

The first part of your visit starts on the lower level where you can learn about the history of America: the Native Americans, the Mayflower, the Founding Fathers, the arduous journeys of the settlers and pioneers, the American Civil War, the abolition of slavery, the Declaration of Independence, and the American West.

There is also a room set of an 18th Century Massachusetts tavern with the original Tavern sign, darkly lit and atmospheric and full of authentic period furniture and accessories.

 

beautifully detailed beaded moccasins


 

Native American  jewellery


 

There was a great interactive screen where you could imagine you were a pioneer about to set off on your long, difficult journey, and choose what to take with you - you had to choose only 5 things (as the wagon was already full presumably!!!) such as a gun, an axe, a quilt, etc..- I didn't get a photo as we were too busy playing with it!

There were also hats and props to mess around with - sadly I can't show you the photos of Bella wearing a sprigged bonnet and a black, large brimmed hat as she would never speak to me again!

There were cabinets containing intruiging items where you had to guess what they were and what they were used for .........here's a few.....

 

whirligigs!

Check out here for a bit about them - I've always associated this painted metal type with American primitive style and folk art, and was surprised to learn that they've been around for centuries in some form or other all over the world, as weathervanes, bird scarers to protect crops or just as toys.

Bet you can't guess what this is.......

 

....an apple corer!!! Did you guess??

 

Corn dolls

 

quilting and applique templates


 

cloth replica of the Declaration of Independence

 

Asian china

On the ground and first floors there are room sets with period furniture, giving an idea how ( mainly well to do !!) people lived at a certain time - gorgeous William and Mary and Queen Anne original pieces of furniture, a New Orleans bedroom, a Pennsylvania German Room with wonderful decorative painted furniture, elegant 18th and 19th century parlours.

 

 

 

 

And a wonderful Stencilled Bedroom with quilt and lace canopied bed!

 

 

But one of the highlights of the trip was this fun thing!


 

Design-a-quilt!!!!

Chose your pattern..........

 

choose your 3 fabrics.......

 

Happy? Yes??  Go!

Quilt finished!!

and......view it projected on the floor!!!!!

Oh, Bella and I did this more than a few times as you can imagine.....it was quiet on sunday afternoon and nobody else wanting to play, so poor Mr G found a comfy seat and waited patiently whilst we designed quilts!

Quilts and more to come next post!