Arthur Cottage promoted ahead of 250th anniversary of US Declaration of Independence

US Consul Political Chief, Dori Winter, during her visit to Arthur Cottage with local MP Jim Allister and MLA Timothy Gaston, along with resident hostess, Mary.

Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey, County Antrim – the ancestral home of 21st President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur – is set to take centre stage in 2026 as part of events marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

The historic site was recently visited by Dori Winter, Political-Economic Chief of the US Consulate in Belfast, during a visit arranged by TUV MP Jim Allister and North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston.

The visit forms part of a broader effort to highlight and celebrate the deep-rooted ties between Northern Ireland and the United States ahead of the landmark American anniversary.

With ancestral links to three US presidents – Andrew Jackson in Carrickfergus, William McKinley in Dervock, and Chester Arthur in Cullybackey – the Mid and East Antrim area holds a unique position in the shared heritage of Ulster Scots and early American leadership.

US Consul Political Chief, Dori Winter, enjoying tea and fresh baked bread in Arthur Cottage with local MP Jim Allister and MLA Timothy Gaston, along with resident hostess, Mary.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said:

“Accordingly, we invited the US Consul’s office to visit Arthur Cottage and in conjunction with Mid & East Antrim Council staff hosted Mrs Winter. She was delighted with what was on offer and after a visit to the on-site museum joined in encouraging projects to celebrate the local presidential connections.”

The initiative comes as momentum builds internationally for commemorations of the historic 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. For Northern Ireland, and the wider Ulster region, the anniversary presents a timely opportunity to showcase its influence on the formation of the United States.

MP Jim Allister added:

“We now look forward to developing these ideas and ensuring the Ulster connection is both celebrated and explained to a wider audience.”

The Ulster-Scots legacy, represented through these presidential ancestral homes, reflects a significant cultural and historical contribution to the United States, and plans are now underway to ensure that this connection is appropriately recognised as part of the upcoming anniversary.

Local stakeholders, including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, are expected to work closely with US officials and heritage groups in the months ahead to curate events, exhibits, and educational materials that celebrate these transatlantic ties.