The American Museum in Britain, located in Claverton Manor near Bath, is opening a new permanent American Heritage visitor zone on 24 April.

The £1m development will refurbish the lower ground level of the Georgian house to create a 3,200sq ft (297sq m) exhibit space illustrating the development and culture of North America since its colonial days. It will feature more than 10 interactive galleries.

Headland Design Associates drew up the concept, which has received around £450,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Headland’s director, Rosemary Allen, said: “We feel like we’ve visited America’s past and learnt so much about their beliefs and experiences. The first priority is to make the voices of individual American’s heard and show how their spirit and attitudes have influenced the decorative art produced.”

The museum, which opened in 1961, is the only facility celebrating the development of North American art outside the United States. Details: www.americanmuseum.org