Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Brits fete American museum Date: Tue, 3 Nov 92 15:19:55 EST Message-ID: \SE E;LIFE;ABOUT TOWN \HD Brits fete American museum \BY Siobhan McDonough \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Anglo-American relations couldn't have been stronger Friday evening. The all-American event hosted at the British Ambassador's residence was a benefit for the American Museum in Britain, an institution that transplants a bit of U.S. history and culture to the soil of the motherland. "It's a place to show our British friends that American culture in decorative arts is not just an isolated, provincial phenomenon. We have our own style," said Richard Howland, who has visited the museum on several occasions. "America does have a culture. And the culture isn't just Disneyland." Established by the Halcyon Foundation in 1961, the museum at Claverton Manor is a Regency mansion on a hill overlooking the Avon valley near Bath. Textiles, pewter, glass and folk art fill the original, early American rooms from New England, the South and the Southwest. And the flower and herb gardens were modeled after those planted by George Washington at Mount Vernon. "It serves as an important cultural bridge for the two countries, and makes those living in England and other European countries realize the achievements of Americans in the arts," said benefit chairman Evangeline Bruce, whose late husband, David K.E. Bruce, was ambassador to Great Britain when the museum opened. Former World Bank President Munir P. Benjenk, the museum's American Council chairman-designate, agreed that there is a limited understanding of American art, history, culture and politics abroad. "Europe has become self-sufficient and self-centered to an extent . . . American museums in other countries will help show how American culture developed over the centuries," he said. A mostly Old Guard cave dweller crowd of 140 bellied up to the bilateral buffet of Virginia honey-baked ham, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and other delights before settling in for a review put on by the British Embassy Players. Asked to sing along, the audience warbled gamely through old favorites ("It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary," "Sidewalks of New York") but failed to bridge the gap when it came to such lesser-known numbers as "Please Don't Pull Our Privy Down," for which lyrics were thoughtfully provided by embassy staff. Among those spotted at the "down-home" affair hosted by British Ambassador Sir Robin Renwick and Lady Renwick were Mary Braga, Warren and Claire Cox, Pauline Innis, Armita Colt, Virginia Childs, Hugh Newell Jacobsen, Daniel and Judith Terra and Ruth Buchanan. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM