Each Spring, lambs are born at Mount Vernon! Today, there are usually 70-80 sheep of all ages at Mount Vernon, but in the 18th century, there were hundreds. In 1799, George Washington recorded that there were 640 sheep! Follow these step-by-step instructions to make your own lamb puppet.
Supplies Needed
Lamb Template
Scissors
Glue Stick
Popsicle Stick
Pipe Cleaner
Cotton Balls
Coloring Supplies
Step 1: Color
Draw a face onto the lamb's head and color the ears.
Step 2: Cut the template
With an adult’s help, cut out the lamb template.
Step 3: Make Your Lamb Fluffy
Glue cotton balls to the body to make the lamb fluffy! You can add a little to the head if you want.
Step 4: Almost there!
Glue the lamb to the popsicle stick. Make sure your popsicle stick covers the entire back of the lamb.
Step 5: Finish Your Puppet
Bend the Pipe Cleaner in half, and tape it to the back of your lamb.
This Activity is Sponsored By MARS Equestrian
Lambs at Mount Vernon
Each Spring, lambs are born at Mount Vernon! A lamb is a baby sheep. About 20-25 lambs are born every year. They are fun to watch, and they grow really fast!
These lambs have an important job to do– they help preserve their breed. Hog Island Sheep are a heritage breed at Mount Vernon today. This means they are similar to sheep that were alive during George Washington’s time. Hog Island Sheep are so rare that most of the breed in the United States were born right here at Mount Vernon!
Today, there are usually between 70-80 sheep of all ages at Mount Vernon, but in the 1700s there were hundreds! In 1799, George Washington recorded that there were 640 sheep! The sheep’s fleece was used to make wool clothing for the enslaved people who lived at Mount Vernon.
Sheep on George Washington's Farms
Visit our Digital Encyclopedia to learn more about the sheep that lived on Washington's farms in the 18th century.