Colonial Williamsburg’s Rare Breeds program is dedicated to preserving historic livestock breeds that have declined due to centuries of specialization in agriculture. Among these is Moose, a Cleveland Bay horse, a breed once essential on 18th-century American farms for riding, plowing, and carriage pulling. With only about 220 Cleveland Bays in North America today, efforts like those at Colonial Williamsburg, which began its horse breeding program in 2019, have helped stabilize their population. The program also cares for other rare breeds such as Leicester Longwool sheep, American Milking Red Devon cattle, Durham Oxen, and heritage chicken breeds, all of which reflect the types of animals common in colonial America but now overshadowed by modern specialized breeds.

The program not only preserves these animals but also highlights their unique characteristics and historical significance. For example, Leicester Longwool sheep, though less popular due to their moderate wool quality and matted wool on legs and bellies, are maintained for their heritage value, with individuals like Ozzy, a calm and handsome ram from Tasmania, playing a key role in the flock. Through these efforts, Colonial Williamsburg helps maintain biodiversity and offers a living connection to America’s agricultural past, ensuring that these rare breeds and their stories endure.