Sheepfold and Pasture

Sheep were an important product of colonial farms.  They were a source of food, but more importantly, they provided wool for cloth.  Farmers sheared the sheep in April or May.  The sheared wool was cleaned, carded, or drawn across wired brushes to align fibers, and then spun into yarn or thread.  Women on the farm knitted spun yarn or wove the thread into cloth on a loom.  That cloth could then be made into clothing, blankets, etc.

Each farm raised an average of two sheep per person living and working there, to provide homemade clothing each year.  The large majority of sheep were white, because wool could be dyed almost any color, and farms had one black sheep, for any black cloth needed.

The sheep currently at the farmstead include four females, two sets of sisters.  Their names are Sophie, Hanna, Rosie, and Lizzie, named ofter women of the Wentz family.  The sheep are out to pasture during the day and graze for most of their food.  They are penned in the sheepfold at night for warmth, protection, and access to additional hay and water, provided by our farmers.

If the sheepfold door is open, you are welcome to take a look inside.

Continue walking up the gravel drive until you reach the barn.  We suggest pausing on the side of the barn.