Historic manor remembers USA independence

The historic building is the home of ancestors of the first USA president George Washington and to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence more than 200 years ago, hundreds of people gathered for a day of music, and activities .

The day was brought to life with a dramatic American Civil War display re-enactment society before the arrival of an Honour Guard from USAG Croughton who brought down both the British and American flags in a fitting mark of respect.

Cymon Snow, general manager at Sulgrave Manor, said: “Everything went really well and nearly 500 people were on site which was really good. It is incredibly important to us to have these Independence Day celebrations.

“Sulgrave Manor was brought by the people of both the United States and the United Kingdom and I think it is the only property in the world owned by the people of two countries. Saturday was important for us because that is what we are all about.”

Activities throughout the day included various children’s activities including an exhibition of Native American artefacts and brass rubbings.

Families attending the celebrations were treated to an American-style barbecue and Brackley-based band Acoustic Journey provided an afternoon of music with some covers from American bands.

Members from the re-enactment society gave demonstrations of the weapons soldiers used duing the war before the display by the Redcoats in the Orchard resulted in musket fire filling the air to show off what life was like as a soldier fighting the war.

Sulgrave Manor was bought by the British American Peace Committee in 1914 to be a symbol of peace between the two countries. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814, which brought to an end the war of 1812.