Directory

Directory of American Studies Resources in the UK

The American Museum in Britain

Claverton Manor, Bath, Tel. 01225-460503

This museum is entirely devoted to a wide range of American arts including a sequence of domestic interior reconstructions of the colonial and federal eras and an excellent collection of Shaker furniture. It has an educational department which can organise study days for schools and colleges.

Contact

The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD

T: + 44 (0) 1225 460503

Email: info@americanmuseum.org

American Politics Group (APG)

The main objective of the APG is to provide a forum for the analysis and discussion of politics in the United States. Its activities include an annual two day conference in January, with papers being given on aspects of American politics. There is also an Annual Colloquium held at the US Embassy in London in November. This involves a number of talks around a theme of topical importance, as well as a satellite link up with Washington DC. The APG also publishes (twice yearly) American Politics Review, which features articles, news and book reviews.The APG invites applications for membership from those who teach American Politics at whatever level, or anyone with an academic interest in the politics of the United States. For further details contact: cmharrington@dmu.ac.uk

American Studies Resources Centre

Aldham Robarts Centre, Liverpool John Moores University, Maryland Street, Liverpool L1 9DE, United Kingdom Tel 0151-231 3241 E-mail b.adams@ljmu.ac.uk

Programme Director: Bella Adams

The Centre maintains a wide collection of teaching materials (including video-tapes and computer software) on American politics, history, geography, science and technology, art, and popular culture. Schools and colleges wishing to make use of the Centre’s loan facilities should write to the above address on School/College headed paper. Through the Cultural Office of the United States Embassy, the Centre is able to provide (at postage only cost) sets of US Government publications on such topics as history, geography, civil rights, the role of the media, government etc. as well as maps.

Study Days:

These can be organised for school and college groups if arranged at least three weeks in advance.

The British Association For American Studies (BAAS)

This organisation seeks to promote and support the study of the United States in universities, colleges (HE/FE) and schools across the U.K. Each year at the annual BAAS conference a session is held to address the needs of teachers in Secondary and Further Education. BAAS is keen to welcome more school and FE teachers into its ranks. Membership is £20 per annum. Further details on application to: Jenel Virden, BAAS Secretary address as above.

The British Film Institute

21 St. Stephen Street, London W1P 1PL. Tel.0207 255 1444.

This government-funded organisation has an educational department which will advise teachers on film and television education and has a flourishing publications unit.

Council on International Education

52 Poland Street, London W1V 4JQ. Tel.0207 478 2000, Fax: 0207 734 7322, E-Mail: infouk@ciee.org

This organisation runs a variety of exchange and educational programmes for groups to the USA.

The Eccles Centre for American Studies

The British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB United Kingdom Tel.: +44 (0)20 7412 7551 or 7757 Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7792 e-mail: eccles-centre@bl.uk.

Director: Professor Philip J.Davies; Bibliographical Editor: Jean Petrovic.

The Eccles Centre for American Studies was founded in 1991 to support the study of the United States and Canada in the United Kingdom at all educational levels. One of its main aims is to identify and publicise North American materials in the British Library collections through the publication of a series of Guides. So far six have been published and more are in progress. Two recent Guides are ‘United States Government Policies Toward Native Americans, 1787-1990’, and ‘United States and Canadian Holdings in the British Library Newspaper Library’. The Centre also publishes an annual Guide to undergraduate and taught masters courses at institutions of higher education in the United Kingdom. All publications are available from the Eccles Centre for a small charge. The Centre will gladly respond to any enquiries concerning American Studies. Jean Kemble has written an article about the Centre for ASToday On-line.

The English Speaking Union

The ESU brings together and empowers people of different languages and cultures. By building skills and confidence in communication, we give people the opportunity to realise their potential. Worldwide, the members and alumni of the ESU support these objectives. Our vision is to provide people in the UK and internationally with communication skills, confidence and networking opportunities.

The ESU sponsors a number of scholarships for teachers to visit the USA. Forms of application can be obtained from the Director of Education, ESU, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles St., London W1X 8AB. Tel. 0207-493-3328.

Film Education

41-42 Berners St., London W1P 3AA Tel. 0207-637-9932 Fax 0207 637 9996

This organisation, sponsored by the film industry, produces excellent study guides on films as they appear on the commercial circuit. They also organise study days in cinemas throughout the country and have produced general guides to film and media studies. Many of their teaching aids are on American films.

The Fulbright Commission

62 Doughty St., London WC1N 2LQ Tel. 0207-404-6994.

The Commission provides information on full time study opportunities in the USA and maintains a collection of US college course catalogues together with copies of test preparation materials such as SAT, GRE, GMAT and TOEFL. The Speakers Bureau deals with requests from groups wishing to have American speakers who are drawn from American scholars in Britain on Fulbright, Rhodes or Marshall programmes. The Education Advisory Service is open to the public from 10.30-1.00 and 2.00-4.30. Telephone enquiries from 11.00-5.15.

The Horniman Museum

Forest Hill, London SE 23 3PQ, Tel. 0208-699-2339

This museum has an excellent educational department whose staff give guided tours and interactive presentations based on their collection of Native-American artifacts which includes a Navajo sand painting.

American Exhibits: John Judkyn Memorial

Claverton Manor, Bath, Somerset BA2 7BD – England, UK Phone: +44 (0)1225 444278 – Fax: +44 (0)1225 444279

This organisation, which is not open to the public, offers two services:

a) An educational loan service of school “kits” containing real historical objects which visually convey a sense of a chosen aspect of American history. Catalogue available on request.

b) Loan exhibitions on various aspects of American culture. These shows are designed for museums, galleries and other establishments which are able to offer appropriate security and environmental controls. Catalogue available on request

National Media Museum

Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 1NQ
Tel. 01274-727488.

The National Media Museum is situated in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film .It is home to over 3.5 million items of historical significance. We look after the National Photography, National Cinematography, National Television and National New Media Collections. Traditional and interactive galleries located across eight floors of the Museum investigate and celebrate film, photography, television, animation and new media. Two gallery spaces display a changing programme of exhibitions which are inspired by our Collection.

National Museums and Galleries Liverpool

Includes the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ,
Tel 0151 478 4499

The museum features a permanent exhibition entitled ‘Emigrants to a New World’ which has sections about the USA. Educational tapes which were produced by Radio Merseyside and which support the exhibition are available for purchase. The new exhibition dealing with Trans-Atlantic slavery is now open and is highly recommended.

The International Slavery Museum opened in August 2007 and in March 2010 welcomed its millionth visitor. It is the only museum of its kind to look at aspects of historical and contemporary slavery as well as being an international hub for resources on human rights issues. It is on the third floor of Merseyside Maritime Museum and shares many of the same facilities.

The World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN has an ethnography section. The Americas collections number nearly 9,000 artefacts, ranging from pre-Hispanic material to the work of leading contemporary First Nations/Native American artists. The strengths are artefacts from four main regions: the Arctic, the Northwest Coast of North America, Mesoamerica and the Amazon.

International North American Indian Association (NAIA)

9/2 Dunsyre House North, 33 Clader Crescent, Edinburgh EH11 4JH tel 0131 453 1046.

The North American Indian Association acts as an interest group for people who share an interest in the cultures, histories and beliefs of Native Americans and also as a support and pressure group. It organises a friendship programme to connect Indian reservations with schools in the UK and mainland Europe, an educational sponsorship scheme for Native American children and a volunteer programme on reservations in South Dakota.

The Tate Gallery

Millbank, London SW1 Tel. 0207-821-1313

Within the modern art collections of this gallery that emphasises the 20th Century, are a number of American paintings, mainly by the New York School of Abstract artists. There is a good education department that runs a series of activity-based or lecture programmes for schools.

Ulster American Folk Park

2 Mellon Road, Castletown, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT78 5QU, Northern Ireland

Tells the story of the great migrations of Ulster people to America and their contributions to the development of American society.

Embassy of the United States of America

24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 2LH.

This service is designed to meet the reference and research needs of libraries, institutions and individuals with specific and serious enquiries. It is not open to the general public. For further information telephone 0207-499-9000 ext. 2638/2643.