The rare breeds in the Historic Area are a crucial part of 'living history.'
1 Minute Read
Cleveland Bays once pulled the carriages of 18th-century royal governors of Virginia. The horses are part of Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds program, which began in 1986 to preserve breeds that could have been present in Williamsburg in the 18th century.
These Leicester Longwool sheep, shown in a pasture at the intersection of Nassau and Francis streets, are much like the sheep George Washington raised at Mount Vernon. The ewes birth about 20 lambs each spring.
This riding horse carries the interpreters who portray George and Martha Washington.
Oxen were an important source of power in the 18th century. Today, they can be found pulling carts filled with guests on the streets of the Historic Area.
Nankin hens are very "broody," which means they like to sit on anything. They have been used to hatch quail and pheasant eggs.
