American Independence and Hillsborough Castle

In 1771, Benjamin Franklin visited Hillsborough Castle to meet Wills Hill, Secretary of State for the Colonies and 1st Earl of Hillsborough. Hillsborough Castle, as the location of their meeting, is sometimes wryly described as the birthplace of America. This year, Hillsborough Castle will mark 250 years since America declared independence from Britain by celebrating the castle's role in this pivotal moment in history. 

Hillsborough Castle's State Dining Room has been renamed the Benjamin Franklin Dining Room after one of the most famous guests ever to have dined here. To commemorate Franklin’s visit, seven carefully selected objects will be on display in the room, each helping to tell the story of his time at the castle. Highlights include a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a portrait of Franklin himself, and a portrait of Wills Hill.

The Benjamin Franklin Dining Room

Explore the Benjamin Franklin Dining Room where seven remarkable objects reveal Hillsborough Castle’s unique connections to American history. On display until February 2027, the collection includes treasures on loan from the American Philosophical Society and the National Archives at Kew, alongside items from Historic Royal Palaces’ own collection.

Visitors can discover these extraordinary objects and explore the fascinating history behind them as part of our standard guided tour of the castle.

Note from Richard Henry Lee to John Vaughan, 1828

When to see it: 25 February 2026 – February 2027

On loan from American Philosophical Society.