The ancestors of George Washington originated in Wessyngton in the north-east of England in the 12th century after assuming tenancy of the area from the Bishop of Durham in exchange for land at Hertburn.

In 1911, Theodore Roosevelt suggested a permanent memorial to commemorate one hundred years of peace between the two nations.

[9] Work on the project was delayed by the First World War, but in 1920 Sir Reginald Blomfield began a reconstruction of the house, and the creation of a garden as a suitable setting.

[3] Blomfield rebuilt the demolished west wing of the hall to regain the lost symmetry of the design.

[7] An endowment from the estate of the philanthropist Paul Mellon, together with other donations and National Lottery funding, provided the necessary resources to "secure the long term survival of the property".

[12] The gate piers either side of the entrance have Grade II designations,[14][15] as has Manor Cottage.