Little Lambs, Big Back Story: How Colonial Williamsburg Brought the Leicester Longwool Sheep Baaa-ck

By John Womeldorf – Mr. Williamsburg

With source material and quotes courtesy of Atlas Obscura, Colonial Williamsburg, and Modern Farmer

Tucked behind the fences and cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg, a rare and woolly chapter of agricultural history is quietly unfolding—thanks in large part to a sheep named Wilbur, a dedicated livestock expert named Darin Durham, and a flock of Leicester Longwool sheep that would make George Washington proud.

Today, we’re going to talk about a very special breed of sheep. One that was so prized—so incredibly valuable—that during the 18th century there was a lot of illicit, under-the-table sheep trading going on. These sheep weren’t just livestock. They were agricultural gold. And after some dramatic ups and downs, including complete extinction in the United States, they’ve been brought back to life—right here in Colonial Williamsburg.

(Opening anecdote and quote from Darin Durham courtesy of Atlas Obscura)

🐑 A Revolutionary Breed with a Storied (and Smuggled) Past

The Leicester Longwool—originally developed by English agriculturalist Robert Bakewell in the mid-1700s—was one of the first livestock breeds to be selectively bred for desirable traits. Bakewell’s practices revolutionized farming by producing a sheep that grew quickly, yielded high-quality meat, and produced long, lustrous fleece ideal for worsted wool production.

The breed’s value was so high that the British Crown forbade their export, viewing them as strategic agricultural assets. Yet despite the export ban, some of these elite sheep were smuggled into the American colonies, most notably by George Washington, who raised Leicester Longwools at Mount Vernon to improve the quality of his flock.

(Details on breed development and export restrictions drawn from Colonial Williamsburg’s Rare Breeds Program and supporting content from Modern Farmer’s 2023 piece on endangered livestock)

By the mid-19th century, the rise of Merino sheep—valued for their ultra-soft wool—caused the Leicester Longwool to decline in popularity. Eventually, the breed went extinct in the United States by the 1940s.

🏛️ The Baaa-ck Story: Colonial Williamsburg Steps In

In the 1980s, Colonial Williamsburg created its Rare Breeds Program to revive heritage livestock breeds once common in 18th-century Virginia. The Leicester Longwool, with its deep historical roots, was a top priority.

With no surviving American flocks, Colonial Williamsburg imported Leicester Longwools from Australia, one of the few countries where purebred specimens remained. That foundational flock now thrives in the pastures of Williamsburg, delighting guests each year during lambing season, when new additions like the fan-favorite Wilbur are born.

Their wool is still hand-sheared with traditional tools, spun into yarn, and used to produce goods like saddle blankets, rugs, and textiles—some of which are sold in the gift shop, offering a literal piece of living history to visitors.

👨‍🌾 Meet the Flock Keepers: Darin Durham and Anna Reinhardt

At the center of this effort are Darin Durham and Anna Reinhardt, animal husbanders at Colonial Williamsburg. They care for not only the Leicester Longwools, but also Cleveland Bay horses, American Milking Devon cattle, and other rare heritage breeds.

Their days are spent interpreting history in motion—feeding, herding, and shearing animals while dressed in 18th-century garb.

“It’s not every day you see someone join a Zoom meeting in a period outfit,” a journalist noted in Atlas Obscura’s 2023 story.

To which Darin responded:

“Yes, I am dressed like a rural person in the 18th century right now. We were just shearing sheep at our farm site on the other end of town.”

Durham’s commitment to public education and historic preservation has earned him recognition in agricultural circles, including work with the American Milking Devon Cattle Association and features in publications like Modern Farmer. His advocacy for rare breed conservation highlights the role these animals still play in promoting biodiversity, sustainability, and food security.

🐏 A Living Piece of Agricultural History

The Leicester Longwool flock in Williamsburg is more than a charming attraction—it’s a link to our shared agricultural heritage. Once considered too valuable to export, then smuggled into colonial America, these sheep were nearly lost forever. But today, they live on in the paddocks of Colonial Williamsburg, thanks to generations of care, conservation, and curiosity.

So whether you’re coming for the lambs, the hand-shearing demos, or just a photo with Wilbur, know this: behind every bleat is a baa-ck story worth telling.

Sources & Attributions:

Atlas Obscura, “Little Lambs, Big Back Story” by Sam O’Brien (2023) Colonial Williamsburg Rare Breeds Program (colonialwilliamsburg.org) Modern Farmer, “How to Use Endangered Animals to Save the World” (2023) Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia – George Washington’s Agricultural Practices American Milking Devon Cattle Association archives (amdca.com)

About Me:

I’m John Womeldorf, aka Mr. Williamsburg—your local guide to all things Greater Williamsburg and beyond. I’m not just a real estate agent; I’m a community ambassador, storyteller, and history buff who’s passionate about the people and places that make this region so special. Whether you’re moving here, visiting, or just curious about what makes Williamsburg tick, I’m here to help.

Questions? Curious about life in the area? Let’s connect!

📞 757-254-8136 | 📧 john@mrwilliamsburg.com | 🌐 mrwilliamsburg.com