Nye Barn
Frequently Asked Questions

• WAMPANOAG HOMESITE
• MAYFLOWER II
• VILLAGE
• CRAFTS CENTER
• NYE BARN

What to Expect, How to Prepare:

1. What will I see at Nye Barn?
2. What rare breed animals will I see at the Nye Barn?
3. What are rare and heritage breeds of livestock?
4. How long does it take to visit the Nye Barn?
5. Can I pet or feed the animals?
6. Who tends the rare breed animals at Nye Barn?
7. Why does it look like you only have bulls?

Frequently Asked Questions about animals in the 1627 English Village:

1. What rare breed animals will I see in the 1627 English Village?
2. Are the rare breed animals in the Nye Barn and the 1627 English Village direct descendents of the animals that came on the Mayflower?
3. Are the animals that I saw in the 1627 English Village eaten?

Frequently Asked Historical Questions about animals in the 17th century:

1. What animals came over on the Mayflower in 1620?
2. How many animals did the colonists have in 1627?
3. Did families have their own livestock in 1627 Plymouth?
4. Who tended the animals in 1627 Plymouth?
5. Did the colonists have horses in 1627?
6. Did the Native Wampanoag People have livestock in the 17th century?
7. Were wild boars native to New England?

What to Expect, How to Prepare:

1. What will I see at Nye Barn?

In the pastures at Nye Barn you will be able to see some of Plimoth Plantation's rare breed cows and goats. Inside the barn there is a display of photographs and texts explaining the history of the various breeds of livestock and the value of global conservation efforts.

2. What rare breed animals will I see at the Nye Barn?

Housed at Nye Barn are Violet, a Milking Devon cow and Loiter, a Kerry cow. These "girls" keep company with a small flock of young San Clemente and Arapawa Island goats. During the day look for these animals in the fenced pasture adjoining the barn. They only use the barn stalls for shelter during bad weather and for a place to sleep at night.

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3. What are "rare" and "heritage" breeds of livestock?

The terms, "rare" and "heritage" are often used together to describe some breeds of livestock. "Rare" is applied to livestock breeds that number fewer than 1000 annual registrations in North America (according to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy). "Heritage" breeds are breeds of livestock that predate modern standardization of farm animals.

For more information on the conservation of Rare and Heritage breeds, please visit these websites:

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy New England Heritage Breeds Conservancy Rare Breeds Canada Breeds of Livestock - Oklahoma State University

4. How long does it take to visit the Nye Barn?

It is a small exhibit. You will probably need an hour, including the time it takes to walk to and from the nearby Visitor Center.

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5. Can I pet or feed the animals?

No. For their safety as well as your own, the animals at the Nye Barn cannot be petted or touched. We also ask that you do not attempt feed them (they are well fed critters!). We do encourage you to observe these animals as they move naturally throughout the barn area, grazing, resting, sleeping and playing.

6. Who tends the animals at Nye Barn?

Specially trained Plimoth Plantation staff tend to the needs of our rare breeds animals. They are fed and watered everyday. You may even see one of our many dedicated volunteers working with the young goats. In addition, during the summer our 4-H club members show some of the animals off to visitors.

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7. Why does it look like you only have bulls?

Visitors are often very surprised to learn that horns are common to both males and females in most breeds of cattle. Many farmers today "disbud" very young cattle of their horns, something that was not done in the 17th century. Of the hundreds of breeds of cattle, there are only a few cattle breeds that do not grow horns.

Frequently Asked Historical Questions about the animals in the 1627 English Village:

1. What rare breed animals will I see in the 1627 English Village?

There are a variety of rare breeds living in the 1627 English Village. Kerry and Milking Devon cattle graze inside fenced pens. Small flocks of Wiltshire horned sheep and San Clemente and Arapawa Island goats and several Dorking hens also inhabit the town. The sights, sounds, and even the smells of these animals help transport you back to the 17th century. Please note that by 1627, specific breeds of livestock had not yet been developed or named. Therefore the role players in the 1627 English Village will not be able to talk about livestock breeds.

2. Are the rare breed animals in the Nye Barn and the 1627 English Village direct descendents of the animals that came on Mayflower?

No. The animals you see today are from stock acquired by Plimoth Plantation from Canada, New Zealand and various locations across the US. These animal breeds were brought to Plimoth Plantation as part of our efforts to conserve these rare and heritage breed animals, as well as to provide our 1627 English Village with accurate livestock.

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3. Are the animals that I saw in the 1627 English Village used for food?

We do not generally use meat from rare breeds livestock in the museum's programs. However, the role players in the 1627 English Village will tell you otherwise. Remember that the role players are expressing the viewpoints of 17th-century people who kept livestock for food.

Frequently Asked Historical Questions about animals in the 17th century:

1. What animals did the English colonists bring over on Mayflower in 1620?

The English colonists (popularly known as the “Pilgrims) mention that two dogs (a spaniel and a mastiff) were brought on the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower. A reference in a 1623 letter leads museum historians to believe that there were probably goats, pigs and chickens on the Mayflower as well.

2. How many animals did the colonists have in 1627?

We don't know the total number of animals. Based on a document from 1627, we do know that there were four cows, seven heifers (young cows which have not calved yet), two calves, two steers, and a bull. According to this document, there were at least two-dozen goats. Chickens and pigs were probably numerous enough for each family to have a few of their own by 1627. There were probably some dogs and cats as well.

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3. Did families have their own livestock in 1627 Plymouth?

Most of the livestock was owned communally by the colonists. However some colonists may have privately owned some animals.

4. Who tended the animals in 1627 Plymouth?

Based on English practice, we believe that animal care duties were shared by a number of people. Women and girls milked the cows and goats. Young children did simpler chores like gathering eggs. Older boys would herd the cattle and swine. It was the responsibility of men to train cattle to pull heavy loads.

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5. Did the colonists have horses in 1627?

No. There were no horses native to this country. Horses were brought to the New England area after 1629.

6. Did the Native Wampanoag People have livestock in the 17th century?

Traditionally Wampanoag people did not keep domesticated livestock. They hunted and fished wild animals native to the area according to their needs. After decades of permanent English colonization, Wampanoag people began to keep their own livestock.

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7. Were wild boars native to New England?

No. Swine (boars) were not native to New England. The wild boars that exist now in this country are descended from European swine.

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hours: from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, 7 days a week March 22 through November 30, 2008
address: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 USA
telephone: 1 + 508 746 1622