The American Museum contains the finest collection of American decorative arts outside the USA. Located in Claverton Manor, a country manor built in 1820 and bought in the Fifties by partners Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn to be the home of their expanding collection. It opened to the public in 1961 and has been continuously developed and expanded since.

The centrepieces of the collection are a series of typical American living spaces removed from historic buildings facing demolition and lovingly recreated within the Manor building. The rooms include Conkey’s tavern, taking you back to 18th Century Massachusetts, and living rooms from America’s history from the founding of the first colony to the Civil War.

The museum’s collection also includes world renowned Shaker furniture, an extensive collection of over 200 quilts and textiles (50 of which are on permanent display), a collection of over 200 antique historical maps, and the most significant collection of American folk art in Europe.

Although the museum was founded with an emphasis on the impact of European migration upon America, the Museum has recognised that the impact of the indigenous peoples and those brought to the country in the Slave Trade years are every bit as important in telling the story of America.