Rare Breeds

The Coach & Livestock team acquires, husbands, and preserves these rare breeds that were common in the 18th century but now are threatened or endangered. The Foundation's menagerie of animals contributes to the preservation of breeds including the Leicester Longwool sheep, Cleveland Bay horses, and America Milking Red Devons.

A long, healthy, and lustrous coat which falls in ringlets, ease of feeding, valuable meat supply, and quick maturation are this breed's traits. Leicester Longwools originated in Britain and were used as a pioneer breed. Their use extended to America, Australia, New Zealand, and other colonies settled by the Crown. Today they're quite rare in Britain and North America, but can still be imported from Australia. Their wool is sold to hand spinners, weavers, felters, and dollmakers for hair and beards.

The original herd of CW's sheep came from Tasmania, but now the sheep are bred here. Each spring, visitors enjoy the joys of lambing season, gathering around pasture fences to see young Leicester Longwool lambs romp and rest. And our historic weavers enjoy their fleece, too!

Cleveland Bay horses are renowned as England’s oldest and purest breed. Set apart by its rarity, strength, and remarkable temperament, the breed comes exclusively in the Bay variety characterized by reddish-brown coats and black legs, manes, and tails. The consistent coloring of the breed made it easier for early Americans (and us!) to match horses in pairs and in teams of four for pulling carriages.

The only modern breed in the program is also the rarest – fewer than 200 are registered each year. American Cream Draft horses are the only breed of draft horse originating from the US. Breed characteristics include a medium cream-colored coat, pink skin, amber eyes, long, white mane and tail, and white markings. These horses mature late at five years old and have an excellent temperament. Mares stand from 15 to 16 hands and weigh 1,500 to 1,600 pounds. Males stand 16 to 16.3 hands and weigh 1,800 pounds and up.

Descended from the Red Devon breed native to Devonshire, England, diversity is the trademark of this breed. American Milking Devons’ milk contains a high butterfat content – prized in the 18th century for butter and cheese production. They also provide quality meat, intelligence, and muscle, making them good work animals that are easy to feed and fatten well with minimum supplements. In today's living history museum, they pull carts and wagons, and their milk is used in the Historic Area Foodways program.

One of the oldest recognized breeds in the world, Shorthorn cattle originated in Northeastern England in the Valley of the Tees River. Known for its versatility, this docile animal efficiently converts feed into milk and has a long productive life. The first importation of Shorthorns to the US was in 1783, when "Milk Breed" Shorthorns came to Virginia. These early importations, often referred to as "Durhams", became favorites of the pioneer, furnishing meat, milk and power.

The Dominique chicken is one of the first breeds of chickens developed in the United States. They are small to medium in size with a very hardy constitution. Their heavy plumage protects the poultry from low winter temperatures.

The Nankins are a foundation for many other breeds of bantams, which were very popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. With their copper-colored bodies and their green and black tail feathers, they are striking birds, and they make good pets because of their gentle nature. Nankin hens were used to hatch Pheasant and Quail eggs for large estates.

Originally bred for cockfighting, these chickens are distinguished by their strength, agility, and aggression. English game fowl never became popular as utility fowl after cockfighting was banned. However, English game fowl produce high-quality meat and eggs. Eggs from the poultry in the Rare Breeds program are used in the Historic Area Foodways program.