For Immediate Release
April 17, 2006
Digital images available
Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – How much effort does it take to make wool? During the month of May at Mount Vernon, visitors can watch the beginning of the wool-making process with sheep-shearing demonstrations at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, Fridays through Sundays. This once-a-year process of removing wool from Mount Vernon’s Hog Island sheep takes place at 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mount Vernon’s staff will be on hand to educate visitors about the shearing process and to discuss the role sheep played on George Washington’s farm. Historic interpreters will use a pair of shears purchased from the same company that Washington purchased his shears from in the 18th century! The sheep-shearing demonstrations, included in admission, are part of Mount Vernon’s livestock programs that run through October.
The most common products from sheep used by early Americans were wool, spring lambs, and mutton. Sheep were also used to trim yards and fields, and their manure was used as fertilizer. Washington owned between 600 and 1,000 sheep. Mount Vernon currently has 54 sheep on the estate, including 15 lambs born this spring.
Mount Vernon’s sheep are descendants of a flock that was established in the mid-1600’s on Hog Island near the eastern shore of Virginia and are believed to be of British origin. The bloodline of the breed has survived relatively unchanged due to the near total isolation of the island. These sheep are an excellent representation of the common “woods sheep” of colonial times. Hog Island sheep give birth once a year, with one or two offspring. Both males and females can have horns. Mount Vernon has one of the largest flocks of these rare sheep.
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Events, programs, and activities are subject to change. Public Information: 703-780-2000; 703-799-8697 (TDD); www.mountvernon.org Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital. Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission rates: adults, $13.00; senior citizens, $12.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $6.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.
