The international origins of the United States of America and its links to Yorkshire can be explored this summer via Kiplin Hall and Gardens.
Discover the life of local man George Calvert on the big screen in the documentary film “A Liberty of Conscience”. From his Yorkshire roots Calvert called Kiplin home and pursued a career at royal court, earning the title First Baron Baltimore. With interests in colonisation and religious tolerance Calvert set about creating new communities abroad, founding the colony that became the state of Maryland. Many generations of the Calvert family were involved in governing the colony.
The film combines footage of actors on location at Kiplin Hall and Gardens, and interviews with historians in the UK and USA. The film will be screened to mark the 250th Anniversary of American Independence Day on Saturday 4th July at 4pm in The Station Cinema, Richmond. An award-winning cinema, nestled within a converted Victorian railway station. The ideal venue to travel back in time!
Emmy Award winning Producer and Director W. Drew Perkins explains;
“The story of Maryland’s founding is directly linked to Yorkshire England and George Calvert’s Kiplin Hall. Watching a film crew comprised of people from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean bring history alive at Kiplin Hall will forever remain a highlight in my long career of making television documentary films. It is hard to find the right words to describe just how special the experience was.”
Visitors to Kiplin Hall and Gardens can share a similar experience to the film crew, seeing history come to life at Kiplin Hall later this summer.
America 1776 Live takes place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August 2026.
Visitors can experience life during the American Revolution (1765 – 1783) set against the backdrop of Kiplin Hall. At this unique event discover the sights and smells of 18th century cooking at the encampment. Costumed re-enactors will demonstrate a skirmish and cannon fire in replica military uniforms of the period. Meet “loyalists” fighting to remain under British rule, and “patriots” who desire independence.
During the revolution 13 American British colonies rejected imperial rule and fought for their independence. Considered by some to be rebels and revolutionaries at the time, they formed the United States of America. Independence Day is celebrated in the USA on the 4th of July each year, remembering the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 250 years ago.
America 1776 Live is included with day tickets and annual membership. Please note dogs may find the noise of cannon fire distressing. Find out more at www.kiplinhall.co.uk. Kiplin Hall and Gardens is open 6 days a week, closed on Thursdays.
