Washington Old Hall ‘honour’ to fly the Stars and Stripes again
The Stars and Stripes are once more flying over Washington Old Hall as Wearside celebrated its transatlantic links on July 4.
IndependenceDaycelebrationsareanannualtraditionat the historic property, which is the ancestral home of first American president George Washington.
Sunderland also has more modernlinkswiththeUSAand has had a Friendship AgreementwiththeUScapitalWashington DC since 2006
But public celebrations at the hall had been cancelled for the past two years because of Covid-19.
The Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Alison Smith welcomed visitors from both the UK and the USA as events returned for 2022withthethemeof‘bounce back ability’.
Among the guests were pupils from four Washington schools - Washington Academy, JFK Primary School, George Washington Primary School and Broadway Junior School.
The United States was representedbytheChiefExecutive Officer of Hyperdrive Innovation and Senior Vice-PresidentofTurntideTechnologies, Chris Pennison.
The American-owned advanced manufacturing company is one of several US employersbasedinandaround Washington and Sunderland.
Mr Pennison said: "It is an honour to have been asked to raise the flag of the United Sates today at Washington Old Hall in celebration to mark America’s Independence Day.
"Thelocallinksthatwehave asTurntideTransportwithour American parent company shows what ‘a special relationship' both countries have.
"The Energy Storage SystemsmanufacturedatourSunderlandfacilityarecurrentlyin usearoundtheworldandaswe forge our links with the United States, we continue this relationship.
"Beingakeyplayerinthelocal community in and around Washington with our Hyperdrive facility, it continues to be an honour to watch the business grow across both continents."
The Mayor of Sunderland,
Cllr Smith said: "The annual Fourth of July celebrations are anannualreminderofSunderland’s close economic and cultural ties with America and its capitalcity,andourFriendship Agreement with Washington DC.
"As Mayor I am pleased and proud to represent the people of Sunderland at this year’s event that celebrates our specialrelationshipwiththeUnitedStates.Itisanexcellenttime to reflect on the opportunities we can create through our international engagement."
Post pandemic, the City Council and its partners are continuingtodevelopbusiness and cultural links with the US including a seventh Sunderland Shorts Film Festival.
National Trust and Operations Manager at Washington Old Hall, Sarah Murray added: "Washington Old Hall is the original medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors, so we always enjoy celebrating the Fourth of July, welcoming friends and supporters from near and far.”
Over the years, Washington Old Hall has welcomed a string of high-profile Americanguests,includingfamously President Jimmy Carter, who visited Wearside in 1977.
There are also those who point out the similarities between the stars and stripes of the Washington coat of arms, and the US flag.