See 18th Century Sheep Shearing
In the spring, the heavy wool that has kept sheep warm during the winter is shorn as the first step in making clothes and blankets.
Today, Mount Vernon uses hand shears made by the same English company that made Washington's shears.
The Importance of Sheep
Mount Vernon was home to many sheep in George Washington’s time. His flock number ranged from 600 to 1,000 sheep. Sheep were very important, as they provided resources like:
- wool for clothing and blankets,
- manure for crop fertilization,
- meat for mutton and spring lamb, and
- lanolin for ointments.
How Long Does It Take?
The process takes between 20 and 40 minutes for each sheep, depending on the amount of wool.
Video: Sheep Shearing
Sheep were an important commodity to George Washington at Mount Vernon, and our livestock team keeps the history alive of their role to this day.
Heritage Hog Island Sheep
Mount Vernon's Heritage Sheep
Today, Mount Vernon raises Hog Island sheep, a rare breed native to Virginia that dates back to the 1600s.
Hog Island is a barrier island off the Delmarva Peninsula, where sheep survived for hundreds of years until the Nature Conservancy purchased the island in 1974. The sheep were dispersed to historic sites, mostly in Virginia.
