See a collection of Americana housed in a 19th-century manor house at the stunning American Museum in Britain. Exhibits include displays of furniture, maps, Native American tools and more. Explore the Period Rooms with their different themes and wander the 35-acres (14-hectares) of public gardens on the estate.
The American Museum in Britain opened in 1961. Its exhibits are housed in Claverton Manor, an estate built in 1820. The estate previously served as headquarters for a Royal Air Force group during the World War II.
Find the Heritage Exhibition on the lower level, which showcases the stories of Native Americans, the Founding Fathers, the Civil War and more. Use the interactive and audiovisual displays to learn more about the museum displays. Younger visitors can also dress up in Pilgrim and cowboy outfits provided by the museum and learn to make a digital quilt.
See quilts dating from the 18th century to the 20th century in the Textile Room. This is one of the finest collections of its type in Europe. The collection includes over 200 quilts, with more than 50 on display at a time. See items including weavings by the Native American Navajo tribe, woven coverlets and hooked rugs.
In thePeriod Roomssee furniture collections arranged in recreations of American dwellings over a 300-year timeframe. Don’t miss Conkey’s Tavern, a farmhouse tavern originally built in 1758 in Massachusetts. Much of the tavern has been reconstructed, including the original sign and fireplace. Other rooms include a 17th-century Puritan house and a boudoir from New Orleans in the 1860s. Ask the volunteer guides any questions you have about the collections.
Refer to the museum's website for information on opening days and times. Ticket prices vary depending on a number of factors and have the option of including a charitable donation. The estate is a short distance from Bath city center and has free parking. Alternatively, take the free bus which runs between the museum and the town center.
