This breed is named after Hogg Island, a 17th Century English settlement in Virginia. George Washington owned between 600 and 1,000 sheep, which were used to make wool and provide lamb and mutton for all who lived and worked at Mount Vernon. Sheep were also pastured to trim yards and fields and their manure used as fertilizer.

Today, you'll see these very rare (fewer than 200 are in existence!) animals grazing throughout the estate and at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site. Seasonal "Sheep to Shawl" demonstrations show each step in the wool-making process used at Mount Vernon 200 years ago.

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