Visitors to Kiplin Hall and Gardens are being invited to take part in a celebration of a festival not typically marked in the UK — Thanksgiving.
The Jacobean mansion, which shares its early 17th-century origins with the Calvert family, founders of Maryland, USA, has launched new displays exploring the American tradition through food, music and famous faces.
The exhibits will run until Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 27.
Curator Alice Rose explained the inspiration behind the seasonal theme.
“While we don’t normally celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK, it’s an important time in America when families come together, often travelling long distances to do so. Today, there’s also much more recognition of the impact of colonisation on Native American nations and cultures. At Kiplin, we’re using the displays to spark reflection and conversation — to think about what we’re thankful for today.
“At Kiplin Hall Trust, we are immensely grateful for our volunteers. Over 200 people regularly give their time to help preserve Kiplin Hall and Gardens and share its history with the public. We couldn’t be more thankful for their support.”
Visitors will also be able to share their own messages of gratitude by contributing to an art installation made of colourful handprints, resembling a cascade of autumn leaves drifting through the hall’s grand staircase. There will also be family activities upstairs and a food and music trail to explore around the hall.
Kiplin Hall and Gardens is open six days a week, closing on Thursdays — with one special exception.
To mark Thanksgiving Day, the hall will open for an extra day on Thursday, November 27, before closing for the winter season.
It will reopen to visitors on Friday, February 6, 2026, after its annual deep clean and the creation of new displays for the year ahead.
For more details, visit www.kiplinhall.co.uk.
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