Exhibitions

Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps

Open now until 22 June 2025

The American Museum & Gardens presents one of the finest collections of Renaissance maps in the world in a new special exhibition for 2025. Opening on 15 February, Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps brings one of Bath’s most celebrated museum collections back into the spotlight, for a must-see show this spring.

Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps is the first major display of the American Museum’s world-renowned map collection in over a decade, reframing the way the maps have historically been shown. On display is the incredible power, beauty and history of Renaissance maps, with a fascinating new exploration of the myths and memories that created them.

This exhibition will launch the Museum’s exciting Year of Exploration, which will feature special exhibitions and events, including a pop-up planetarium, stargazing, a thrilling space exhibition, and seasonal family trails.

Exhibition highlights:

• A rare collection of Renaissance maps, which is a world-renowned museum collection in Bath.
• With maps presented as works of art, spotlighting their incredible artistry, design and range of forms.
• A collection reframed by a new curation that invites a range of perspectives, including inspiration from contemporary Indigenous views on the remapping of native land.
• Featuring maps that are near impossible to see in public – of the few examples that exist, most are in private collections or libraries where they are rarely displayed.

Free Curator Talk

13 March | 2pm

Join Chief Curator, Kate Hebert, to learn more about our new exhibition Myths & Memories: Renaissance Maps. Kate will share special stories about the unique items on display in the show and talk about how the new curation came to be. Find out more.

Photos by Judith Parkyn Photography