Rotherham castle linked to U.S. independence is celebrating with a family Heritage Day

It’s America’s 250th birthday on July 4 – and a tiny Rotherham castle linked to U.S. independence is celebrating with a family Heritage Day

History, music, crafts and family fun lined up at Boston Castle and Park Heritage Day, 10am-4pm on July 4

Americans will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the most important day in their history on July 4 – the signing of the Declaration of Independence – and a tiny castle on a far-away hill in Rotherham will be joining in.

Boston Castle, which sits between Canklow and Moorgate, will be celebrating its historical link to America’s fight for independence from Britain with a free family Heritage Day on July 4.

Visitors to the free, all-day event will find out how the castle was created by the Lord of the Manors of Rotherham and Kimberworth, Thomas Howard, and why it got its name.

Thomas, the 3rd Earl of Effingham, was a supporter of the American settlers’ bid for independence from Britain.

He refused the King’s orders to sail with his regiment to fight against them in the American Revolutionary War and offered to resign his Army Captaincy by dramatically laying down his sword.

In 1776, the year the colonists won their independence from Britain and the United States of America were formed, Thomas Howard went a bold step further.

He transformed the little shooting lodge he had recently built in Canklow woodland – then known as Rotherham Moor – into a tribute to their bravery.

“There are many Rotherham people who don’t know where their little castle got its name from, and some who don’t even know it exists,” said Bernard Fletcher, treasurer of Rotherham District Civic Society, co -organisers of the Heritage Day with Rotherham Council and The Friends of Boston Castle and Parkland, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

“It is an important part of Rotherham’s history and a symbol of the British who supported America’s fight for freedom”.

“The house upon the common, as it was known in Georgian era Rotherham, was castellated and named Boston Castle by the Earl. He intended to commemorate the Boston Tea Party –  the act of rebellion against the British Government’s tea tax which saw colonists raid three ships moored in Boston, Massachusetts, and dump their cargos of tea into the harbour.

“From that point on, the Earl’s shooting guests were not allowed to drink tea on the premises”.

The American connection was furthered when the Earl and his wife Cate, Countess of Effingham, travelled to London to meet the first American Ambassador to Britain, John Adams, and his wife, Abigail. Adams went on to become America’s second President.

The American-Rotherham historical link will be firmly in the spotlight at the Heritage Day, which runs from 10am-4pm.

At 11am South Yorkshire Police Brass Band will play the UK national anthem and the American national anthem will be sung by U.S-born local resident Lisa Wentworth. The Union Jack flag from the 1700s and the original American flag, the 13-star Betsy Ross, will both be raised.

A play telling the story of Thomas Howard will be performed in the castle at 1pm. Its author is historian and Friends of Boston Castle and Parkland secretary Janet Worrall, who will be playing Lady Effingham.

The Heritage Day also marks the 150th anniversary of Boston Park itself. It was the first public park in Rotherham and was originally named The People’s Park. 

The story of how and why it was created and details of its official opening on July 4, 1876, will be told by the Town Crier and a memorial stone will be unveiled.

The stone lies at the spot which inspired Rotherham industrialist and amateur poet John Guest, of iron and brass founders Guest and Chrimes. Lines from his poem, Come Gaze With Me From Canklow Hill ,have been carved onto the stone by South Yorkshire sculptress Deborah Frith.

Members of Mowbray Gardens Writing Group have created their own modern version of the poem for the event, and visitors can take part in a poetry workshop.

While learning more about local history, families can also take part in willow-weaving and art workshops organised by Flux Rotherham, follow a heritage trail and explore the castle and its rooftop views.

Two New York-based musicians, former Thomas Rotherham College student David Shenton and his wife Erin, are flying in to entertain at the event and Rotherham’s highly-acclaimed young musician Alejandro Barnett will be playing guitar and harp. Historical musicians from Pearl In The Egg will be playing mediaeval music.