Link to the Past, Bridge to the Future
Juicy Details
Through vivid photography and lively text, "Link to the Past, Bridge to the Future: Colonial Williamsburg's Animals" opens a window into our colonial past when animals where a vital part of everyday life. An eclectic array of livestock and pets provided food and other essentials, labor, transportation, recreation and companionship. The very existence and success of the colonies were tied directly to animals and their contributions.
Since that time, much has changes about the way we raise livestock. Modern practices have affected breeds of animals. Many have become rare or even extinct. Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds program, a successful blend of colonial lineage and modern methods, has helped revitalize breeds that might otherwise have been relegated to the pages of history. By exhibiting such breeds, Colonial Williamsburg accomplishes a twofold mission: preserving rare breeds and contributing to the authenticity of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area - life as it was over 200 years ago.
As you marvel over the captivating photographs, read how Devon cattle, whose ancestors arrived in the colonies in 1623, carry on today providing milk for dairy products, plowing fields, and pulling carts in Colonial Williamsburg's historic area. Followin the international search for the era-authentic Leicester Longwool sheep that can be seen in shearing demonstrations or grazing peacefully with their lambs in Historic Area pastures. Meet the manificent American Cream Draft and Canadian horses that pull stately carriages down Historic Area Streets. These breeds of horses were in dangerous decline only a few years ago. The stories of these and other breeds, including fowl and swine, come to enjoyable life in these pages.
Consider the author's words: "We may not know exactly how the characteristics these rare breeds possess might one day save our bacon and beef and scrambled eggs and warm wool topcoats, but it's a bank account we cannot afford to close.
Since that time, much has changes about the way we raise livestock. Modern practices have affected breeds of animals. Many have become rare or even extinct. Colonial Williamsburg's Rare Breeds program, a successful blend of colonial lineage and modern methods, has helped revitalize breeds that might otherwise have been relegated to the pages of history. By exhibiting such breeds, Colonial Williamsburg accomplishes a twofold mission: preserving rare breeds and contributing to the authenticity of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area - life as it was over 200 years ago.
As you marvel over the captivating photographs, read how Devon cattle, whose ancestors arrived in the colonies in 1623, carry on today providing milk for dairy products, plowing fields, and pulling carts in Colonial Williamsburg's historic area. Followin the international search for the era-authentic Leicester Longwool sheep that can be seen in shearing demonstrations or grazing peacefully with their lambs in Historic Area pastures. Meet the manificent American Cream Draft and Canadian horses that pull stately carriages down Historic Area Streets. These breeds of horses were in dangerous decline only a few years ago. The stories of these and other breeds, including fowl and swine, come to enjoyable life in these pages.
Consider the author's words: "We may not know exactly how the characteristics these rare breeds possess might one day save our bacon and beef and scrambled eggs and warm wool topcoats, but it's a bank account we cannot afford to close.
