Real Life Cruellas/American Museum and Gardens

I have to temper my dog envy whilst out walking. (An aside: I love some of the words so common in English usage like whilst). No more stolen photos or too much attention lavished on any 4 legged breed of bouncy, frolicking, come-pet-me-I’m-in-need-of-love canine I come across. We are in the middle of a dog-napping frenzy in Somerset. Latest crime statistics show it has reached an all time high, up 170%. Poachers listen at doors to determine if there is a dog in-house. What dog can resist barking when they sense someone at the door. Watch out for those Posing as caring dog lovers, cooing over your dog, taking photos (guilty, guilty, guilty) and then posting to the doggie underworld for bidding so they can snatch the dog later (not guilty). Despicable thieves have even been known to grab at owner's leashes whilst taking their Bella or Buddy for a walk. High Bid Purebreds Chow Chow Golden Retrievers English Bulldogs Cavapoo Goldendoodle Miniature Schnauzer Cavalier King Charles Spaniels No Dalmatians Looks like Cruella has changed her spots. Even more reasons why mutts and rescues are the best bet for canine companions. For now I will satisfy my animal urges by photographing statues and stuffed animals.

American Museum & Garden https://americanmuseum.org I am on my very best behavior as a volunteer at the American Museum and Gardens. Like the artifacts on display, I represent a real American greeting people as they come into the 3 story Claverton Manor outside of Bath. An attempt is made to guess my accent and sometimes I can throw them off with my best Minnesota "you betcha".

Most visitors are eager to recap their US journeys with me, mostly East Coast vacations.

Last week I politely listened and answered, as best I could, whilst one of the attendees was happily springing a pop quiz on me. I must have slept through most of my American History classes. I'm taking a crash course through our exhibits and knowledgeable volunteers.

The American Museum and Gardens were founded, by American born Dallas Pratt and his English born partner John Judkins, to preserve American culture for a lifetime. They felt there was a miseducation of American history in England and by bringing the ethos of America to a beautiful setting, travelers would be inspired to learn more about the country they once ruled, creating a stronger connection. Dallas Pratt came from great wealth. His great grandfather worked with Rockefeller to found Standard oil. His mother flitted around from husband to husband and house to house not much interested in mothering. Maud, Dallas’ governess, was a strong influence in his life and taught him the value of hard work and purpose. He worked for a living as a psychiatrist, most notably in the Army during WWII. Later in life he dedicated his energy to the plight of animals. Called the quiet American with a compassionate eye, Dallas’ legacy has left a huge impact.

The property is 125 acres including the museum side, meadows, woodlands and forests. It has a stunning view of 2 valleys. My walk to “work” takes me through forests and clearings to the museum outside of Bath. It’s a joy to begin my day this way. Whenever I walk the gardens and see the new growth I am so happy to be a part of this glorious location. I could flower you to pieces with photos. Last month the tulips, now the peonies, always the allium. The Washington DC based landscape firm Oehme, van Sweden(OvS) have transformed the vistas into a free form flow of surprises.

George Washington’s original Mount Vernon garden is replicated here. In a nod to General Lafayette and the assistance from France during the American Revolution, Washington had the fleur-de -is pattern in his garden as well as some French roses to show his respect.

There are several parts to the landscape, one of these being the Lewis and Clark Trail. Specimens of trees gathered by Lewis and Clark in 1803, Corps of Discovery, are planted here. A placement of tree trunks serves as a theater for story telling.

Mick Jagger is also appearing here in an Exhibition. Well to be correct, Shooting Stars is Carinthia West’s (Mick’s flame at the time) photo exhibition of California life in the swinging 70’s if you were a model, actress or rock star. Robin Williams, Helen Mirren, Stones, Neil Young, George Harrison, Eric Idle, Shelley Duvall and Anjelica Huston, Altman all show up in her candid shots as well as fashions from the era. Several Americans of importance are represented with bronze sculptures. Alexander Hamilton and Harriet Tubman to name a few.

Claverton Manor is where the young 22 year old Winston Churchill, home from campaign in India in 1897, made his first political speech for the Primrose League. His famous quote, “unaccustomed as I am to public speaking”, began his career as one of History’s most famous orators. Winston’s bust and plaque at entry noting his speech.

Families are always on site as the gardens have great corners to discover. Playgrounds, Lewis and Clark trail, treehouse lookout, scavenger hunts, plays and adventures, even yoga for all ages.

The exhibits, artifacts and period rooms span 1690 to 1860. The period rooms all have a wonderful history attached to their original owners ranging from a New England Tavern to a New Orleans resplendent bedroom. Quilters come from far and wide to see the historic quilt collection. John MacKay's Tiffany made silver dinner collection, made from 1/2 ton of silver is on display, he being one of the Comstock Lode discoverers.

My Blog I am grateful for those who reach out to me after a blog post to continue the conversation on something that has sparked a memory or touched on something they liked. Blogs are nurtured, groomed, and off they go into the stratosphere like children off to college in outer space leaving a parent wondering if they arrived successfully. So Thank You dear souls. I am changing my blogging platform as the current blog site I started with is going through some changes stopping the notice to readers when I publish and other platforms will be much easier to work with. Like the ghost signs, this is my ghost print to leave a small trace of our adventures and allow me to think out loud. Hopefully I don’t lose you in the transition. I try to blog once a week or bi-monthly so if you don’t hear from me just click on previous links and hopefully we will reconnect again. About Town Viking(s) return on paddle boards to reconquer England. Are the longships around the corner?