The American Museum & Gardens celebrates an epic journey through the diversity of American landscapes, history and culture in a new special exhibition for 2024.
A contemporary, immersive museum experience, where visitors join in and share their own stories Including large-scale-travel games, theatrical sets, and an array of American road-trip memorabilia With the chance to get up close to an original 1958 Harley Davidson Duo Glide motorcycle, on loan from Haynes Motor Museum.
People travel in all parts of the globe, but the road trip is an experience forever American. American Road Trip presents the origins and stories behind the cultural phenomenon, and transports us thousands of miles on the ultimate journey of discovery along Route 66 and beyond. This original exhibition will be on show first in Bath at the American Museum & Gardens, open from 9 March to 31 December 2024.
Entering an immersive gallery of imagery, music and neon-lighting effects, visitors will experience a series of interactive spaces to explore different aspects of the iconic adventure. Exhibition features include billboards showcasing the diverse history and culture of the American road trip, a giant USA map game to play out all kinds of routes across the continent, and favourite examples of the American road trip in popular culture.
Visitors will be able to assemble a classic scene for a fun selfie in a theatrical car set, get up close to a 1958 Harley Davidson Duo Glide motorcycle, and navigate the USA via interactive dashboards featuring stunning landscape photography from America’s National Parks and beyond. Surrounded by inspiring stories, imagery and objects from the road, exhibition road-trippers will be encouraged to add their own American road trip wishes or memories to the displays.
Jan English, Collectitions & Public Engagement Director at the American Museum & Gardens, said,
“We are delighted to celebrate one of the world’s most famous travel experiences – the American road trip – in our new special exhibition for 2024. From landscapes to literature, from dreams to reality, American Road Trip unpacks the golden-age nostalgia we know and love, and invites visitors to discover America anew.
“With interactive games, theatrical sets, an exciting motorbike, and authentic collections on display, American Road Trip is sure to be an inspiring, engaging exhibition for friends, families, and ardent fans wishing they could return to the road. It’s you who will decide where the story will take you.”