About Us

Sulgrave Manor is the ancestral home of George Washington, who served as the first president of the United States, from 1789 to 1797.

Lawrence Washington, the five times great grandfather of the first President, was born in the northwest of England early in the sixteenth century. He settled in Northampton where he worked in the profitable wool business, becoming mayor of the town. He acquired the land in Sulgrave in the 1530s where he built his home. The Washington family owned the Manor until the mid-seventeenth century. However, financial difficulties led Lawrence Washington's great-grandson, John Washington, to emigrate to Virginia in 1656. This move eventually established the American branch of the Washington family, leading to the birth of George Washington in 1732.

Later the Manor was leased to tenant farmers but eventually fell into disrepair at the beginning of the 1900s. At this time, Britain and America had established a Peace Centenary Committee, to commemorate a hundred years since the Treaty of Ghent (a peace agreement signed by both countries in 1814). As George Washington’s ancestral home, Sulgrave Manor was deemed a suitable place to create a lasting symbol of shared peace. The Manor was bought with money raised from UK and US donors. Today, it remains a symbol of peace between the two nations.

Restoration of the manor was completed in the 1920s and was later opened to the public in June 1921. After extensive restoration work funded by both British and American donors, the manor was transformed into a heritage site and museum. The opening was part of a broader initiative to celebrate and strengthen the historical connections between the US and the UK, reflecting the significance of the manor as the ancestral home of George Washington.

The manor is a classic example of Tudor architecture, featuring a great hall, kitchen, and several chambers. The original structure has been modified and expanded over the years, but it retains many of its original features, including mullioned windows, a stone-flagged floor, and timber-framed construction.

Today, Sulgrave Manor is managed by the Sulgrave Manor Trust. It operates as a museum and heritage site, welcoming visitors from around the world. The manor's displays and exhibits focus on the history of the Washington family, the architecture of the house, and the broader historical context of the period. It stands as a testament to the enduring connections between the US and UK, its history is intertwined with that of one of America's most iconic figures: George Washington. A tangible link to the past, the manor celebrates the cultural and historical ties that bind these two nations, fostering enduring international goodwill and transatlantic friendship.

Sulgrave Manor also hosts educational programs, including seminars, school visits and events that explore various aspects of history and Anglo-American relations. These programs aim to engage visitors of all ages and promote a deeper understanding of the shared heritage between the two nations.