A Life of Quilting - Maria Strani-Potts: March 2011

31.3.11

www.americanmuseum.org

We had our first outing yesterday, our destination The American Museum in Bath. The weather was warm, grey and slightly wet. We left Dorchester by train at 9.07 and arrived at Bath Spa station around 11.15. We had a quick walk round the shops, and then off to the American Museum. As a town Bath has vistas, tall buildings, Roman baths, lots of greenery and flowers and of course lovely shops. The first time I visited Bath I seemed to see Jane Austen characters at every corner. Bath’s landscape had been formed in my imagination well before I married into England. It is all there: a Roman town, a historic town, its praises widely sung in literature, all accompanied by a touch of modernity. The first time I visited Bath I was motivated by literature. This time it was my beloved quilts as objects of art that brought me to the American Museum. Bath is truly lucky to have this museum as a place of study of precious objects of Americana and as a centre for “quilting studies”. I must say that there is nothing like a group trip to bring people together, to make them have a good laugh, and to establish friendships. Quilts do just that anyway. A quilt trip combines the three very successfully. We had it all: good company, fabulous and inspirational quilts and good American food. Ah, I almost forgot! There was also an exhibition celebrating Marilyn Monroe as a Hollywood icon, and featuring twenty of the screen goddess’s gowns and outfits, as well as photos, posters, and personal items. Going through the exhibition made me realise that Marilyn Monroe’s name can be inscribed with confidence in the canon of film history and cinematography, as a classic film star. Her beauty, walk, acting, singing will be timeless. www.americanmuseum.org