| American Museum in Britain | |
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The American Museum |
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Location within Somerset and the United Kingdom
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| Established | July 1, 1961 |
| Location | Claverton, Bath, England |
| Website | American Museum |
The American Museum in Britain[1] is based at Claverton Manor, near Bath, England, in a house, designed by Jeffry Wyatville and built in the 1820s[2] on the site of a manor bought by Ralph Allen in 1758.[3] It is now a Grade I listed building.[4]
The museum was founded by two antique collectors, an American, Dallas Pratt (August 21, 1914 – May 20, 1994)[5] and a Briton, John Judkyn (1913 – July 27, 1963)[6] and opened to the public for the first time on July 1, 1961.
The exhibits cover every period of American history. Because John Judkyn was a peace-loving Quaker, the museum contains no militaria. Included are 200 quilts and coverlets, and several pieces of Shaker furniture.
The garden is set into the valley of the River Avon and has fine views over the valley and the Kennet and Avon Canal. The American Museum employed Lanning Roper to design a mixed border. There is a Colonial Herb Garden and a Mount Vernon Garden, which is a re-creation of George Washington's garden. The arboretum has a collection of American trees.[2]
The collection of portraits includes works by John Brewster, Jr., Ammi Phillips and William Matthew Prior. There are also carved eagles by Wilhelm Schimmel and Frederick Myrick.[7]