George Washington, a creative and experimental farmer, was more enthusiastic about animal husbandry than many of his 18th-century peers. The average colonial farmer -- or even large colonial planters -- did not raise nearly the number and variety of livestock that populated Mount Vernon.

Washington bred livestock to provide strong work animals as well as wool, leather, meat, milk, butter, and perhaps most importantly to a farmer—fertilizer! No part of the animal went to waste; even bones and horns were used for buttons, shoe horns, toothbrushes, eating implements, and decorative items.

Today, you’ll encounter many of the same breeds raised at Mount Vernon two centuries ago, and learn about the important role livestock played in the lives of colonial Americans. As a member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Mount Vernon fully supports the goal of saving rare domestic breeds.