Other Sites of Transatlantic Interest

Firle Place has a unique connection to the story of America’s founding through the Gage family, most notably General Thomas Gage, who played a central role at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

 The building incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors, and it is from here that the family took their surname of 'Washington'. 

In 1782 Lord Shelburne negotiated the Treaty of Paris with America. Tradition holds that he drafted the treaty in what is now the Round Room Cocktail Bar at The Lansdowne Club. His friend, Benjamin Franklin, is the chief American signatory.

The Club will be hosting an event in May to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

The American Library is the memorial that those who served. They established our supporting Trust before the war had even ended. American Library retains strong links with the veterans families and friends in the USA and the UK. 

Raby is the ancestral home of Sir Henry Vane, 5th Governor of Massachusetts. A radical supporter of liberty of conscience,  and advocate for the foundation of Rhode Island.  Raby was also the birthplace of  Jeremiah Dixon who trained as estate surveyor best known for his work on the Mason-Dixon line. 

The UK National Archives is a non-ministerial department, and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. 

The National Archives will host a major exhibition exploring the birth of the United States of America to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 2026.