THE LANSDOWNE CLUB MARKS AMERICA 250 WITH CELEBRATION OF ITS HISTORIC ROLE IN THE BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES

EDITORIAL TEAM
June 24, 2026
News

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, one of Mayfair’s most distinguished private members’ clubs is shining a light on a remarkable chapter of Anglo-American history that unfolded within its own walls.

On 17 and 18 July 2026, The Lansdowne Club will host a specially curated programme of dining, discussion and cultural experiences celebrating the enduring relationship between Britain and the United States. Taking place within the Club’s historic clubhouse just off Berkeley Square, the two-day event will explore a little-known connection between Mayfair and the birth of a nation.

While commemorative events will take place across America throughout the anniversary year, few venues outside the United States can claim such a direct link to the events that shaped its independence. Originally built in the 1760s as Lansdowne House, the building was once the London residence of William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, better known as Lord Shelburne, who served as First Lord of the Treasury (Prime Minister) between 1782 and 1783.

It was here that Shelburne and Benjamin Franklin met during negotiations that would ultimately lead to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, formally recognising the United States as a free, sovereign and independent nation. Today, the room in which these historic conversations are believed to have taken place is now The Lansdowne Club’s Round Room Bar, a space whose distinctive circular design is even said to have inspired the Oval Office.

To mark this milestone anniversary, The Lansdowne Club has developed a programme designed to bring this history to life through a blend of historical insight, exceptional hospitality and exclusive access to some of London’s most significant Anglo-American landmarks.

The celebrations begin on Friday, 17 July, with The Empire Strikes Back, an evening hosted by esteemed military historian Lt. Col. the Rev’d Paul Wright LVO. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception and dinner while exploring the events leading to American independence and the pivotal role played by Lansdowne House in the negotiations that followed.

On Saturday, 18 July, Wright will lead guests on a guided walking tour through London, tracing the capital’s rich American connections. Highlights include the bronze statue of George Washington in Trafalgar Square, St James’s Palace and Benjamin Franklin House, the world’s only remaining residence of Franklin, where the Founding Father lived for almost two decades before the outbreak of the American Revolution. Along the way, guests will uncover the stories, relationships and landmarks that continue to define the special relationship between Britain and the United States.

The American connection extends beyond diplomacy. During redevelopment works in the twentieth century, two of the principal rooms from the original Lansdowne House were carefully removed and transported to the United States, where they remain today. The First Drawing Room can be found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while the Great Eating Room resides within the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, creating a lasting architectural link between Mayfair and America that endures more than two centuries after Franklin’s visits to the house.

David Herbert, CEO and Club Secretary of The Lansdowne Club, said:

“As the United States marks this significant anniversary, we are delighted to celebrate a chapter of history that is intrinsically linked to Lansdowne House. Few places in London can claim such a direct connection to the events that led to American independence, and we are offering Members and guests a unique opportunity to explore that history while celebrating the enduring relationship between our two nations.”

Founded as a private residence before becoming a members’ club in 1935, The Lansdowne Club remains one of London’s most prestigious private institutions, combining centuries of history with contemporary hospitality in the heart of Mayfair. Through these events, the Club invites Members and guests to experience a fascinating story of diplomacy, friendship and international influence from the very place where part of that story unfolded.

As the United States marks its 250th year, The Lansdowne Club is shining a light on a little-known chapter of history and the remarkable role a Mayfair house played in one of the defining moments of the modern world.

Website: www.lansdowneclub.com