Yesterday we met up with a couple of friends here at the
American Museum in Bath. Our choice of venue in view of the weather which as you will see from the photo below was hardly summery!!
It must be years since we last visited this museum and I had forgotten what it was like so it all seemed new to me - well new as in novel rather than in as in brand new of course it being a museum!)
I enjoyed viewing the quilts on show there and needless to say this one appealed to me the most!
This one amazed me with its tiny weeny squares about 2 cms all stitched by hand no doubt as it was several hundred years old - makes my little lap quilt look a bit paltry doesn't it? Sorry the photo isn't that clear but all the quilts were protected by sheets of transparent plastic which reflected the lights.
This one was made of cigar ribbons - interesting isn't it?
I do remember the lovely grounds from before but when we visited back then it was a warm sunny day - however they are still beautiful.
The thing which struck me most though was this quotation in the section about the Indians and I couldn't help feeling that those Indians certainly knew a thing or two and how apt this was for right now what with big business tearing up forests to graze cattle for burgers and landscapes being decimated in search of oil and so on not to mention bankers and their bonuses!!
If you click on the photos they should enlarge so that you can see the detail in the patchwork ones if you wish.
Hi Jane, I loved the museum and the quilts, but did not have time to explore the grounds very much. Were you tempted by the lovely shop selling all those patchwork kits and quilty stuff?
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,, I've been to the museum once. Really enjoyed my visit,, must go again soon! And always remember,, there is no such thing as bad weather,,, only bad clothing!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, that first quilt is called a Crazy Quilt--using up all sorts of bits and pieces one had on hand.
ReplyDeleteAll the beauitful greenery... wonderful what rain can do! We are dryer than a bone here--hot, just searing heat. Your photos refreshed. I love going through museums, my husband, not so much at all.
It is so many years since I visited the museum, so your post brought back happy memories. the quilts and the sense of history is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I have been to that museum it has changed! One of my favourite museums. Even my husband was fascinated by the quilts........they are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxxx
This is very interesting and I would have loved to see this museum; somehow I never heard of its existence when we were in Bath in 2009. Perhaps no one thought Americans would be interested. Quilts are always fascinating to see...just think of all that needlework! Wow.
ReplyDeleteI agree the Cree and Hopi nations certainly had some wisdom to impart.
I love that quote Jane!
ReplyDeleteVivienne x
I use that quote when we are looking at 'cool planet' topic with my year 6 children. it always makes them think.
ReplyDeletexxx
What an interesting place. I will put it on my list. I would never thought of visiting an American museum while in England and could not imagine what I would find there but it does look interesting and the garden is lovely.Really love the quote. It would have been a great one to use when we were studing rainforests especially when applied to what they are doing to the Amazon.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Lovely quilts and such a lot of work must go into them. I'm quite curious to know why there is an American museum in Bath?
ReplyDeleteLike you Jane, the last time I visited the museum was on a glorious sunny day and I fell in love with the garden. It was full of wonderful herbs and beautiful plants. That mut have been at least 15 years ago before we left Bristol. I don't seem to remember too much about the quilts but I'm intrigued by that one with the cigar bands. Another place that will have to go on my list of places to revisit! Your posts always take me down memory lane and rekindle a desire to visit old haunts.
ReplyDeleteHaving visited the American Museum fairly recently, I can only agree with you that it is a great place, both for the gardens and the quilts. I took some photos of the cigar silks quilt too, it's a stunner, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very interesting museum. The quilts are very beautiful and so are the grounds. The quotation is so very true. People should mind that more ; )
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
I have never been to that museum and only managed my second ever visit to Bath at Easter (on route to Cornwall). It sounds like my sort of museum though, I love quilts although I do seem to spend more time thinking about them and planning rather than making. Maybe with the added bonus of the beautiful grounds I will be able to persuade my family that we could make a trip that way.
ReplyDeleteLooks a very interesting museum. I went to bath once, about 25 years ago I think and visited the Costume Museum, which was really good (from what I remember).
ReplyDeleteThose quilts are so intricate!
Thank you, Jane for such an interesting tour in American museum :o) I enjoyed it very much. Love all you share with us - cute quilts, beautiful views and these simle and so true words. Thanks :o)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, dear friend
love
Natasha
Shame the weather wasn't better but theMuseum looks interesting. I really like the cigar band quilt, that's very attractive. The quote takes your breath away with its accuracy, doesn't it?!
ReplyDeletex
that looks wonderful
ReplyDeleteThe American museum looks like a great place to visit! The quote is very apt for today.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, I haven't been there for decades but still remember it, especially George Washington's Garden, quilts covered with plastic hanging in great frames and cherrywood furniture. People might also know it as Claverton Manor as that's the first name I knew it by.
ReplyDeleteThose quilts 'oh my' so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteNina x
I visited again last year for the first time in many years. Found it absolutely fascinating and hope to return soon. That quote is frighteningly true. M x
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I have not been to in Bath and of course one would expect great quilts from an American museum.
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