Farm Animals

Farm animals at George Washington Birthplace National Monument became part of the park landscape in the 1970's to showcase a living history farm. Today, the animals in the park are representative of similar breeds that would have been familiar to the Washington's and a plantation landscape long ago.

 

Hog Island Sheep

4 Images

Historically, small populations of people and livestock have lived on Hog Island for hundreds of years. By the 1700’s, a flock of sheep of British origin was established on the island. Evolving to the island’s natural selection for hardiness, foraging ability, and reproductive efficiency, the isolation that the barrier island provided, shaped the sheep into a distinct breed.

Sheep Lambing 2018

7 Images

Scroll through images of the newborn lambs from 2018.

Ossabaw Hogs

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Beginning in the 1500s, early explorers brought pigs to North America. The pigs eventually escaped or were knowingly set free. They became the foundation for historic populations like the Ossabaw Hogs.

Oxen

8 Images

Oxen are draft animals trained to complete tasks, such as plowing fields, and hauling wagons.

Devon Cattle

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Once a popular breed, the Milking Devon came from England to the colonies. Their heritage of high-quality beef and rich milk has been conserved from the original colonial breeds.

Maple the Mule

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Maple was born in the Spring of 2005 and came to the park in the Fall of 2020.