A KEY moment in British and US history is to be celebrated in North Yorkshire.

Kiplin Hall, in Scorton, near Richmond, marks the 375th anniversary of the granting of the Maryland Charter.

On June 20, 1632, Charles I granted a charter to establish a colony in Maryland, in North America, to Cecil Calvert, the eldest son of George Calvert, who built Kiplin Hall in the 1620s.

George spent many years planning the foundation of the colony, but died two months before the king put his seal to the charter.

Charter Day is marked at the hall each year by an afternoon of 17th Century family entertainment. Living history group Rent-a-Peasant will demonstrate the traditional skills of the Stuart period, including spinning, carding wool and writing with a quill.

There will also be crafts and samples of 17th Century food.

The celebrations are from 2pm to 5pm Sunday June 17 and admission is £5 for adults and £3 for children.