You Can Now 'Sponsor A Sheep' At Washington Crossing Park

WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA — Washington Crossing Historic Park, partially closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, has launched a new effort to make sure the 14 sheep who live at the park’s Thompson-Neely Farmstead continue to get care.

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park are inviting residents to "sponsor a sheep" — which will provide funds for food and care of the animals.

In addition to eating grass and plants in their meadow, the sheep require hay, regular veterinary care, medications, vitamins, fresh straw bedding, and the attention of the park’s farmstead manager.

Sponsorship is $50 per sheep, per week. Supporters can pick the sheep they wish to support.

You can see pictures and read short bios about each sheep here.

According to the park, all of its sheep are heritage breeds that were raised for centuries before modern-day industrial agriculture. Breeds were cultivated over time to keep the animals well-adjusted to their environments.

The sheep raised in colonial America were mainly British breeds, which are the kind of sheep at the Thompson-Neely Farmstead. Six of them are Leicester Longwools, a breed that George Washington kept in his flock at Mount Vernon. These sheep have long, durable, lustrous wool. Four of the sheep are Dorsets and one is a Cotswald, which both have soft, fine white wool. The other sheep are a Doll/Southdown mix and a Hampshire/Shropshire mix.

Learn more about sponsoring a sheep here.