Talk about the American Museum in Bath

The speaker at the June coffee morning of Sarum U3A was the Education Guide, Judy Grant. She told the meeting how the museum was set up by four men: two of them immensely wealthy. Dr Dallas Pratt was heir to the Esso fortune. In spite of a chaotic childhood ruled by the whims and neglect of a socialite mother and three step-fathers he became a practising psychiatrist who would only treat people who were unable to pay. It is telling that all his life he named his beloved dogs Maud after his Yorkshire nanny.
His hobby was to collect early maps and books. He met and formed a lifelong partnership with a wealthy English man, John Judkin, who had a passion for fine furniture. Judkin mainly supplied incredibly rich Americans with superb antique furniture.  Together they eventually set up Claverton Manor as an American Museum just outside Bath with the help of a skilled furniture restorer and finally a director who supervised the gathering together of the collection.

Pratt and Judkin spent immense sums and time and effort in gathering together not only furniture but original panelling and fittings so that complete authentic rooms (including an attractive Shaker room) could be constructed within the Manor. As it is a Grade One listed building this has to be done without damaging the fabric of the building.  The exhibits include world-class collections of early maps and quilts. The extensive grounds include a reconstruction of George Washington’s garden.
Both men were pacifist and Judkin was a Quaker. In spite of his wealth Pratt was reputed to be very unassuming. He used to enjoy queuing up with visitors to the Museum, paying the entrance fee and going round with them and taking pleasure in their enjoyment.
The 2013 season runs till 3rd November.

For further information visit www.americanmuseum.org