American museum history.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2017 15:48 Page 2
CLAVERTON | MANOR
SNAPSHOT INTO THE PAST: opposite, Claverton Manor, the seat of John Vivian Esq drawn by J D Harding, after George Vivian, printed by C Hullmadel, lithograph, c1828 This page, left, members of the RAF at Claverton Manor during the Second World War, Ernest Copper, American Museum Archives, and right, the opening of Folk Art at the Old Stables, 1962 Below, the entrance to the museum soon after it opened Images courtesy of the American Museum in Britain
George must also be recognised for his development of the gardens. He created an Italian-style garden and a rose arcade, possibly under the direction of landscaper Alexander Roos who worked at Tyntesfield in Bristol, which are now home to the museum’s Mount Vernon garden – the current gates to this garden and the balustrade date to George’s lifetime. The Vivian family continued to own the house until it was bought by Isaac Carr of Wood House, Twerton, in 1869. The property was advertised in The Times that year as a house “commanding delightful views over a most attractive county. The mansion contains noble entrance hall, a suite of loft and elegant reception rooms; in all 20 bed and dressing rooms . . .” with “highly ornamental pleasure grounds . . .” Carr sold the manor in 1874 to Henry Duncan Skrine, who owned Warleigh Manor in Bathford and hoped that moving to Claverton would help to improve his wife’s health, who was adverse to the damp and misty conditions at Warleigh. In July 1897 Skrine organised a summer fête at Claverton Manor for the Primrose League – an organisation dedicated to spreading Conservatism in Great Britain, which had more than one million members by the end of the 19th century. It was at this event that
collect artefacts and recreate period rooms from old American houses from centuries past. With the room guides trained, catering staff prepared, gardeners in place and educational department on hand, the American Museum in Britain opened its doors to the public in 1961, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors in the first three months. More than five decades on and the museum houses 12,138 items that help to tell the story of the lives of American people, from its early settlers to those who lived through the 20th century. n Visit the American Museum in Britain, Bath, BA2 7BD. Web: americanmuseum.org, tel: 01225 460503.
Winston Churchill, aged just 23, made his first political speech, where he mentioned a recent railroad workers strike and the necessity for greater insurance protection for employees. A plaque can be found outside the main entrance to the museum, marking this historic moment. The Skrine family continued to own the manor until the late 1950s. The family let out the building during the Second World War to the RAF, making it the headquarters of the RAF No 32 (Balloon Barrage) Group. The group oversaw the balloon barrages for the south west of England and south Wales, organising the tethering of balloons used to protect cities from low-flying enemy aircraft. However, as Bath was not considered a high target for attack, no balloon protection was installed. Unfortunately in April 1942 80 Nazi Luftwaffe dropped tonnes of highexplosive bombs and incendiaries in three raids on the city, killing more than 400 people and flattening or damaging 19,000 buildings. Squadron Leader Kenneth Horne, famous for his wartime radio programme Ack-Ack, Beer Beer (RAF jargon for Anti-Aircraft Balloon Barrage), was stationed at Claverton during the conflict. After the war, the Bath Domestic Science College used the manor as a hall of residence until 1956, with the picture gallery that owner George Vivian had built in the 1820s used as a student common room. The manor was then put up for sale in 1958 and purchased by British antiques dealer John Judkyn and American psychiatrist and collector Dr Dallas Pratt, with the plan to turn the house into a museum to celebrate American decorative arts and furniture. With the help of craftsman Nick Bell Knight and Ian McCallum, who became the museum’s first director, the team worked tirelessly to THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM n Music Series: Eddie Martin Sunday 24 September, 2pm Join songwriter and entertainer Eddie Martin as he wows audiences with his blues guitar and harmonica skills. Included in admission to the museum.
n Prohibition Ball Saturday 7 October, 7.30pm Take a step back in time to the 1920s at this glamorous ball. Expect dancing, gambling, secret drinking and music from Victoria Klewin’s Speakeasy Band. £15 per person, pre-booking essential. n The Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture Tuesday 17 October, 6pm Could Britain have secured 13 colonies as part of its empire? Historian Jeremy Black MBE discusses whether the British really could have won the American War of Independence. £10 per person, ticket includes a drink before the lecture begins at 6.45pm.
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September 2017
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