Wagons Ho! For the American Museum’s 50th Anniversary

Motorists and residents in the Bathwick Hill area may find themselves doing a double-take towards the end of June. The City of Bath College has collaborated with the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Parks Department to create a special way of marking the 50th anniversary of the American Museum in Britain. The carpentry students, under the supervision of tutor Peter Jones, have built a replica covered wagon to be installed on the Bathwick Hill roundabout in time for the anniversary of the Museum’s opening at the beginning of July. The covered wagon, or Prairie Schooner as they were sometimes known, will mark the way for those seeking the Museum’s unique location on the edge of the city, overlooking the Limpley Stoke Valley.

Richard Baulch-Collett, team manager for the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Parks Department, has been working with the City of Bath College and the Museum since last year to ensure that all the different elements will come together in time for the roundabout to be transformed. He has even arranged for some of the plants to be grown by students at Radstock College as part of their course work.

‘It really has been an extraordinary collaborative effort. The Council’s Parks Department has been absolutely brilliant in helping us mark our 50th anniversary in this very special way’, said Laura Brown, Head of Visitor Services at the American Museum. ‘It’s certainly a bit of a departure from the usual floral display, but it will be a great landmark to encourage people to come and visit.’

Peter Jones of the City of Bath College said that, ‘the students really enjoyed the project and came up with most of the design and structural solutions themselves. They’ve put a huge effort into making sure it looked right, as well as building it to be as sturdy as possible.’

The Council’s Parks Department has designed a prairie-inspired planting scheme to surround the wagon, which will be in place until the end of October.

Other anniversary events include:
Hooray for Hollywood!, an outdoor concert with the Bath Philharmonia, on Saturday 2 July, 8pm, which will include musical favourites from such Hollywood classics as West Side Story and The Sound Of Music. Tickets available through the Bath Box Office (www.bathboxoffice.org.uk).

50th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday 3 July, 12noon-5pm. Crown Forces drill displays, the Park Lane Big Band, craft activities for the kids, and BBQ. Included with Museum admission.

Independence Day, on Monday 4 July, 12noon-5pm. The Museum is open and FREE to all!

The American Museum in Britain
Tel. + 44 (0) 1225 460503
info@americanmuseum.org
www.americanmuseum.org