Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke
Check back in late 2021 for more information about the event in Spring of 2022.
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.
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.
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)
Ticket cost and information:
- Strawbery Banke Members: 50% off or free depending on membership level
- Adults: $10.00
- Children (ages 5 - 17): $5.00
- Children (under 5): free
Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke add on features:
- Children's Breakfast with Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke: 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. Tickets include a breakfast snack (for children only) and all-day admission to the Baby Animals event.
Many thanks to the following Strawbery Banke Museum signature event sponsors:
