Rockingham Times

The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth issued the following announcement on April 6.

DISCLAIMER: The following content wasn't created by, but is being shared by the Chamber Collaborative on behalf of a member.

PORTSMOUTH—Tickets are on sale now for the 5th annual Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke, Strawbery Banke’s signature spring event showcasing heritage-breed barnyard animals. At this family-friendly educational event, guests visit with and learn about domestic livestock typically found on coastal northern New England farms from the 17th century to the present day. The event takes place daily, rain or shine, from Saturday, April 23, through Sunday, May 1, 2022, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. under a heated tent. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 3-17. Admission for children under 3 is free. Museum members receive free or discounted admission. Tickets at StrawberyBanke.org.

Peter Cook, guest curator of the event since its inception in 2016, secures breeders from NH, ME, MA, and NY farms who are experts in heritage animals. Breeders answer visitors’ questions, explaining the developmental needs of the babies, the various aspects of husbandry that are required to raise them, and why these experts have chosen to preserve these sometimes-endangered domestic animals for future generations.

 Some of the animals at the event are representative of breeds with a population of fewer than 300. For the health and safety of the animals and people, petting is not allowed.

“Strawbery Banke Museum is doing something quite exceptional with Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke,” said Peter Cook, Guest Curator. “This event brings together rare domestic livestock and is a unique public awareness opportunity to learn about animals that are extremely important components of our cultural heritage and current agricultural developments.”

“Strawbery Banke is delighted for the return of the signature Baby Animals event after a two-year hiatus,” said Lawrence J. Yerdon, President and CEO. “The Museum looks forward to this beloved event allowing multiple generations to learn about heritage breeds that would have been familiar with the families of the Puddle Dock neighborhood.” 

Heritage breeds include:

• Clun Forest sheep and lambs are an old breed from Shropshire in Northern Wales, introduced to the United States by migrants from Nova Scotia. From Riverbank Farm in Salisbury, NH.
• Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and piglets are a breed that arrived in New England in the 1900s and are often referred to as “orchard pigs” for their delight in foraging in fall groves. From Gentile Family Homestead in Fitzwilliam, NH.
• Kerry and Dexter cattle and calves are dual-purpose cattle that can thrive on small acreage. From the American Kerry Cattle Association, Westminster, Mass.
• Jacob sheep and lambs are identified in the Book of Genesis and prized in New England for their soft, dark fleeces that are ideal for many weaving projects. From the Hawthorn & Thistle Farmstead in Washington, ME.
• Lincoln Longwool sheep and lambs are an ancient English breed that was a foundation for many of New England’s early textiles. From the Rocks and Rills Farm, Hancock.
• Mangalitsa pigs and piglets are of Hungarian origin with the breed recently becoming of interest for small family farms who want pigs that can easily forage for themselves. Piglets are born with stripes which shows their ancient heritage from wild boar. From Hackmatack Farm in Berwick, Maine.
• Newly hatched chicks, turkeys, and ducklings in specially constructed viewing brooders. From heritage breed hatcheries.
• Nigerian Dwarf goats and kids were introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, are very popular in New England as they are easily trained large milk producers that are easy to keep in small areas. From Tiny Hill Farm, Milton Mills.
• Shetland sheep and lambs are an old breed of sheep named after the Shetland Islands, where they lived for well over 1,000 years, and are prized for their wool. From Echo Valley Farm in Limerick, Maine.
• Silver Fox rabbits and kittens are the third breed developed in the United States. The young are born either solid black or blue and the silvering process takes 4 months. From Kerfluffle Fiber Farm in Lebanon, Maine.
• Spanish goats and kids are an extremely rare breed in New England and are excellent dairy producers. The breed evolved from foundation stock that was imported in the 16th century to the Caribbean islands from Spain. From Elior Acres in Bradford, NH.
• Soay sheep and lambs are one of the oldest domesticated animals and are now quite rare. Native to the St. Kilda group of islands west of the Outer Hebrides. From Tare Shirt Farm in Berwick, ME.

In addition to the animals, Strawbery Banke hosts fiber arts demonstrations and hands-on weaving activities. Tickets for all programs are available online at StrawberyBanke.org.

Strawbery Banke is also hosting a special program in conjunction with the event:

Children’s Program with Baby Animals

Saturday, April 23, through Sunday, May 1, 9-10 AM

Presented for an hour before the event opens to the public, the Children's Program is led by a heritage breeder and educator and is designed to give children ages 4-8 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 for the Children's Program are $20 per child (must be accompanied by a responsible adult, at no additional cost) and include access to the main Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke event. The program is limited to 12 children per day.

Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke is sponsored in part by Favorite Foods, the New Hampshire State Council for the Arts, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Amica Insurance, R.M. Davis, Service Credit Union, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Newburyport Bank, Eversource, Exeter Hospital, The Rowley Agency, Bottomline Technologies, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Piscataqua Dental Partners, Eliot Animal Hospital, Great Bay Animal Hospital, Dodge’s Agway, North Hampton Animal Hospital, and Winichahanat Veterinary Care. 

For more information about Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds at the Banke and tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org.

 

About Strawbery Banke Museum:

Strawbery Banke Museum, in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, NH, is a 10-acre history museum interpreting over 300 years of history, from Indigenous history to the present day, through historical houses on their original foundations, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and costumed roleplayers who share the stories of the families who lived in the authentic waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock. The Museum welcomes visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature special events throughout the year. Strawbery Banke Museum is funded in part by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation; the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts & National Endowment for the Arts; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom; and the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. For more information and a complete calendar of events, please visit StrawberyBanke.org.

Original source can be found here.