The American Museum

The American Museum

The American Museum in Britain is home to a unique collection, in a breathtaking setting.  There is something for everyone to enjoy at the only museum of Americana outside the United States.

The American Museum in Britain opened to the public in 1961 – the achievement of three friends: Dr Dallas Pratt (an American psychiatrist and collector), John Judkyn (a British born antiques dealer, who had become a United States citizen) and Nick Bell Knight (a furniture restorer employed at nearby Freshford Manor, Judkyn’s business base in Britain)

The American Museum in Britain takes you on a journey through the history of America, from its early settlers to the 20th century.  With its remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American culture.  The only museum of Americana outside the United States, the museum was founded to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe.
 
The museum’s collection of furniture, paintings, quilts, silver and glass is presented in a series of period rooms within the historic Claverton Manor.  Our textile and map collections are also on show in the Textile Room and Map Room. In the basement is the permanent American Heritage Exhibition, which tells the stories of the Founding Fathers, Native Americans and the Civil War, through a series of interactive galleries that bring the development of America and American culture to life with bright and tactile exhibits - great for kids of all ages!

The museum is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with spectacular views over the valley of the River Avon. The grounds total some 120 acres, of which forty are open to visitors.

Museum Collections 
The American Museum in Britain takes you on a journey through the history of America, from its early settlers to the 20th century; and illustrates the complexity of American culture through its remarkable collections of folk and decorative arts. Its furniture, paintings, maps, quilts, silver, and glass are presented in a series of authentic period rooms. The museum has the finest collection of Americana outside the United States. 

VISITORS INFORMATION:

Opening Times and Admission

Admission:	Full Ticket	Grounds & 2010 Exhibitions only
Adult	£8.00	£5.50
Concession	£7.00	£4.50
Child (5–16)	£4.50	£3.50
Family(2 adults + 2 children 5–16)	£21.50	N/A

 
Opening Times:
The museum, grounds, exhibitions, café and retail outlets are open until 31 October.
Opening times:  12noon – 5pm.  Last admission 4.00 pm
Closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays and during August
Last entry into museum 4.00 pm.

2010 Exhibitions:  Classic American Quilts &Treasure & Terror
Until 31 October.

Facilities :  
Groups must book in advance.
Normal admission applies for our disabled visitors; a companion or helper is admitted free of charge. 
 
Christmas at Claverton:
26 November - 19 December 2010.
Tuesday – Sunday 12noon – 4.30 pm.

Car parking
We have plenty of free parking at the museum, and disabled spaces near the manor.  
Coaches
The angle of the turn through the museum entrance gates is acute; we therefore insist that all coaches must approach the museum via Bathwick Hill (see map) and the Claverton Down Road and not from the A36
(Bath / Warminster Road).  
Please do not use Global Positioning system (GPS) or Satellite Navigation technology to direct coaches as the routes they give will cause you problems.  
Rail
The nearest railway station to the museum is the mainline station of Bath Spa (Great Western).  There are always taxis available outside the train station.  The trip to the museum takes approximately 15 minutes.   
Bus
From the City Centre, take a No. 18 or 418 (orange bendy buses) or a No. U18 (blue buses), to the University of Bath via Bathwick Hill, and alight at The Avenue.  T
he buses can be boarded at the Corn Street or Guildhall stops in the centre.  Please note these buses do not stop at the new bus station near the railway station.
The buses are very frequent.  (Get off at the entrance to the University campus)  The museum is well signed posted and is approximately ½ mile, downhill. 

The Orangery Café: 
·  During the main season (mid-March to end October), the café is
·  open from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm.
·  Light lunches are available from 12.00 noon to
·  approximately 2.00 pm.
·  Tea and coffee with home baked cakes and American
·  cookies are available from 12.00 – 5.00 pm.
·  During Christmas @ Claverton (end November to mid-December)
·  the café closes at 4.30pm.
·  Service is from the counter where a range of home made
·  sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes and fillings
·  and other dishes including a daily ‘special’, ice creams
·  and soft drinks are on offer. 
·  Seating is available in the Orangery Café or on the Terrace.

Disabled Access:
The Museum and Exhibition Gallery buildings are both fully accessible; however, the slope of the property makes wheelchair access to the gardens difficult. Depending on ground conditions, there is a ramp to facilitate access to the play area and the Mount Vernon Garden.
 
· Parking for Blue Badge holders is situated directly outside the
· Manor house (the main museum building).
· The main museum building is fully accessible to wheelchair
· Users via a lift.
· For safety reasons and the protection of the displays,
· Mobility scooters are not allowed in the house.
· Museum will be happy to provide a manually operated wheelchair
· For use in the manor house.  Wheelchairs are available in
· Reception – please enquire on arrival.
· A companion or helper is admitted free of charge.
· Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
· There is an accessible toilet situated in the Exhibition Gallery.
· In addition to the play area and the Mount Vernon Garden,
· The first section of the Backwoods Trail is also accessible.
·  With 48 hours notice, Museum can arrange for items from

Address:
The American Museum in Britain
Claverton Manor
Bath
BA2 7BD