Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke
Saturday, April 23 - Sunday, May 1, 2022

Check back in early February 2022 for more information!
Please sign up for the Strawbery Banke email list to receive regular communications about upcoming events, programs, and exhibits.

About the event:
Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke, showcases a variety of more than a dozen heirloom breeds of Barnyard Baby Animals (and their moms) that would have been familiar to earlier generations. The event is a family-friendly opportunity to learn more about domestic livestock typical on coastal northern New England farms from the 17th century to the present day.

Peter Cook curates the event, securing breeders from NH, ME, MA, & NY farms who are experts in heritage animals including lambs, kids, calves, piglets, bunnies, chicks, and ducklings. 

The breeders answer visitors’ questions, explaining the developmental needs of the babies, the various aspects of husbandry that are required to raise them, and why they have chosen to preserve these sometimes-endangered domestic animals for future generations. Many farms are family projects enthusiastically supported by multiple generations of caretakers. 

Note: The emphasis is Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke is on educational information. All of the animals are rare, heritage breeds, many of which are on the verge of extinction. For the health and safety of both the animals and visitors petting is not allowed.

Participating farms, breeders, and animal educators:

• Newly-hatched baby chicks, turkeys, and ducklings
• Alpacas, Kerfluffle Fiber Farm (Lebanon, ME)
• Clun Forest Sheep, Riverbank Farm (Salisbury, NH)
• Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs, Hampshire College (Amherst, MA)
• Gulf Coast Native Sheep, Heart Stone Farm (Milton, NH)
• Kerry Cattle, Kerry Cattle Association (Westminster, MA)
• Jacob Sheep, Hawthorn & Thistle Farmstead (Washington, ME)
• Lincoln Longwool Sheep, Weston Family Farm (Hancock, NH)
• Mulefoot Pigs, Dogpatch Farm (Washington, ME) 
• Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Tiny Hill Farm (Acton, ME)
• San Clemente Goats, End of the Road Farm (Berwick, ME)
• Shetland Sheep, Echo Valley Farm (Limerick, ME)
• Silver Fox Rabbits, Kerfluffle Fiber Farm (Lebanon, ME)
• Soay Sheep Hermit, Thrush Hill Farm (Fort Plains, NY)

Additionally, enjoy an old-fashioned holiday shopping experience at Pickwick's at the Banke, the Museum store. 

Tickets: 
More information coming soon!

• Members*: free or 50% off depending on membership level
• Adults: $10.00
• Children (ages 3 - 17): $5.00
• Children (under 3): free

*Strawbery Banke Members receive free or discounted admission depending on membership level. A promo code is needed for free or discounted admission and is provided to members via email. Not a member? Join today! 

Volunteering at the Event:
Volunteers are needed to help make this year's event a success. Check back soon for more information!

Children's Breakfast with Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke
Sunday, April 23 - Sunday, May 1, 2022, 9 AM - 10 AM. 

Presented for an hour before the event opens to the public, the Children's Breakfast is led by a heritage breeder and educator and is designed to give children ages 4 - 8 (all ages admitted) an opportunity to meet the baby lambs, kids, chicks, and other animals, up close. Participants learn about milking, feed the animals, and create a fiber craft gift to take home. 

COVID-19: 
Strawbery Banke Museum continues to monitor circumstances surrounding the pandemic and the guidance of the CDC, state and local health officials. Please review the Museum's COVID-19 precautions before visiting. 

Parking:
Parking at Strawbery Banke Museum is extremely limited. If the lot is full, visitors are encouraged to try nearby offsite parking options including Portsmouth's two parking garages: Hanover Street Garage (near Market Square) & Foundry Place Garage (near Sheraton, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites).

Cancellation Policy: 
Due to the limited capacity of this event, there can be no refunds. Additionally, Strawbery Banke is unable to accommodate requests for purchased tickets to be transferred to a different date. 

Many thanks to the following Signature Event sponsors and partners:

 

  
  
  
   
Bottomline Technologies   Piscataqua Savings Bank    Piscataqua Dental Partners