Date:
May 19 - 25, 2023
Time:
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This week's special activities are free with general admission.
Celebrate Heritage Breeds Week with us!
Participate in exciting activities, watch fascinating demonstrations, learn about Conner Prairie's efforts to preserve heritage breeds and discover what makes these rare animals so special. Meet and Greet with animals all across the grounds. Learn about how livestock has changed throughout the years and how the livestock of the past are important for us today!
Daily Schedule
Information coming spring 2024
Learn More About Heritage Breeds
Meet our Heritage Breeds
English Longhorn Cattle
Basic Information
Origin: England
Introduced to USA: 1600s, 1990s
Uses: Meat, Milk, Draft Power
CPL Status: Not Listed, but critically endangered in the U.S.
Reintroduction
At some point in history, English Longhorns went extinct in North America and were only reintroduced in the 1990s. Even today, there are fewer than 100 longhorns in the U.S.
Selective Breeding
Robert Bakewell, the father of modern day breed improvement, used his methods to make the "Dishley Longhorn," nicknamed for Bakewell's home, the predominant cattle breed for a short time during the 1700s.
Horned cattle were preferred in 1836 as they could more easily protect themselves from predators while free ranging.
Important Facts
- Their characteristic long horns were often crafted into "poor man's glass" or other household items such as buttons, cups, lamps or cutlery, making the longhorns even more useful to early settlers.
- Conner Prairie is one of the only herds with registered longhorns in the U.S. Because the breed does not have an association in the states, all the cattle have to be registered through the Longhorn Cattle Society in England.
- Many people often mistake these cattle for Texas Longhorns, but there's no relation between the breeds. Texas Longhorns descend from Spanish stock and have horns that frown out and away from their head rather than curving down around their face.
English Longhorn Cattle
Basic Information
Origin: England
Introduced to USA: 1600s, 1990s
Uses: Meat, Milk, Draft Power
CPL Status: Not Listed, but critically endangered in the U.S.
Reintroduction
At some point in history, English Longhorns went extinct in North America and were only reintroduced in the 1990s. Even today, there are fewer than 100 longhorns in the U.S.
Selective Breeding
Robert Bakewell, the father of modern day breed improvement, used his methods to make the "Dishley Longhorn," nicknamed for Bakewell's home, the predominant cattle breed for a short time during the 1700s.
Horned cattle were preferred in 1836 as they could more easily protect themselves from predators while free ranging.
Important Facts
- Their characteristic long horns were often crafted into "poor man's glass" or other household items such as buttons, cups, lamps or cutlery, making the longhorns even more useful to early settlers.
- Conner Prairie is one of the only herds with registered longhorns in the U.S. Because the breed does not have an association in the states, all the cattle have to be registered through the Longhorn Cattle Society in England.
- Many people often mistake these cattle for Texas Longhorns, but there's no relation between the breeds. Texas Longhorns descend from Spanish stock and have horns that frown out and away from their head rather than curving down around their face.
Ossabaw Hogs
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1500s
Uses: Meat, Lard
CPL Status: Critical
Genetic Mystery
Although it's agreed that Spanish explorers were responsible for releasing hogs on Ossabaw Island, the hogs are not necessarily Spanish in origin as genetic analysis shows Asian influence.
Isolated Population
While this breed was not historically in Indiana, its centuries-long isolation on Ossabaw Island makes them the closest genetic representative of stock brought over by the Spanish that would have been available at the time.
Early Indiana farmers found they could turn more profit if they fed their excess corn to fatten their hogs before market.
Important Facts
- Historically. most hogs in America were once lard type. Lard enhances the flavor of the meat, but it is also a versatile substance as it can be used as a cooking fat, lubricant, preservative for eggs, and for many other purposes.
- Because of the challenging island climate, Ossabaws have adapted to store large amounts of fat for times of food scarcity. This mechanism functions like non-insulin dependent diabetes in humans.
- These hogs are smaller than average hogs, partially due to insular dwarfism caused by their limited environmental range on the island. This effect reverses in hogs raised on the mainland, making new generations slightly larger than their predecessors.
Ossabaw Hogs
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1500s
Uses: Meat, Lard
CPL Status: Critical
Genetic Mystery
Although it's agreed that Spanish explorers were responsible for releasing hogs on Ossabaw Island, the hogs are not necessarily Spanish in origin as genetic analysis shows Asian influence.
Isolated Population
While this breed was not historically in Indiana, its centuries-long isolation on Ossabaw Island makes them the closest genetic representative of stock brought over by the Spanish that would have been available at the time.
Early Indiana farmers found they could turn more profit if they fed their excess corn to fatten their hogs before market.
Important Facts
- Historically. most hogs in America were once lard type. Lard enhances the flavor of the meat, but it is also a versatile substance as it can be used as a cooking fat, lubricant, preservative for eggs, and for many other purposes.
- Because of the challenging island climate, Ossabaws have adapted to store large amounts of fat for times of food scarcity. This mechanism functions like non-insulin dependent diabetes in humans.
- These hogs are smaller than average hogs, partially due to insular dwarfism caused by their limited environmental range on the island. This effect reverses in hogs raised on the mainland, making new generations slightly larger than their predecessors.
Arapawa Goats
Basic Information
Origin: New Zealand
Introduced to USA: 1994
Uses: Meat, Milk
CPL Status: Critical
Genetic Mystery
Although James Cook introduced the goats to Arapawa Island, their exact origin is still unknown. The Old English goat is though to be their ancestor; however, recent genetic studies link them to an unknown South African origin.
Natural Selection
While living feral on Arapawa Island, the breed adapted to the harsh climate and, as a result, are more hardy, self-sustaining and disease-resistant than most modern-day goats that have been selectively bred for production.
Not only can goats provide food products, they are also adept browsers and are excellent at clearing underbrush.
Important Facts
- Arapawas were at risk of going extinct in the 1970s when an eradication program was initiated after it was deemed that the goats posed an ecological threat to the New Zealand island's biodiversity. Luckily, and island resident saw their value and saved a small population through the foundation of the Arapawa Wildlife Sanctuary.
- With approximately 20 dozen, Conner Prairie ranks among the top five of the largest active breeding herds in the country.
- Arapawa bear a striking resemblance to the Old English Milch Goat, a now extinct breed of goat common among early English settlers. This style of goat fell out of favor in the 1900s as Swiss dairy breeds known for their high milk production out-competed them.
Learn more about the impact of Arapawa goats through our blog.
Arapawa Goats
Basic Information
Origin: New Zealand
Introduced to USA: 1994
Uses: Meat, Milk
CPL Status: Critical
Genetic Mystery
Although James Cook introduced the goats to Arapawa Island, their exact origin is still unknown. The Old English goat is though to be their ancestor; however, recent genetic studies link them to an unknown South African origin.
Natural Selection
While living feral on Arapawa Island, the breed adapted to the harsh climate and, as a result, are more hardy, self-sustaining and disease-resistant than most modern-day goats that have been selectively bred for production.
Not only can goats provide food products, they are also adept browsers and are excellent at clearing underbrush.
Important Facts
- Arapawas were at risk of going extinct in the 1970s when an eradication program was initiated after it was deemed that the goats posed an ecological threat to the New Zealand island's biodiversity. Luckily, and island resident saw their value and saved a small population through the foundation of the Arapawa Wildlife Sanctuary.
- With approximately 20 dozen, Conner Prairie ranks among the top five of the largest active breeding herds in the country.
- Arapawa bear a striking resemblance to the Old English Milch Goat, a now extinct breed of goat common among early English settlers. This style of goat fell out of favor in the 1900s as Swiss dairy breeds known for their high milk production out-competed them.
Learn more about the impact of Arapawa goats through our blog.
Tunis Sheep
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1700s
Uses: Meat, Fiber
CPL Status: Watch
Uniquely American
The breed was developed after the Bey of Tunis in North Africa gifted George Washington with sheep. These sheep were crossed with local American stock to develop one of North America's first unique livestock breeds.
Founding Fathers
Records show that many big names and agricultural leader in the Revolutionary world kept these sheep on their farms including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Peters and George Washington Custis.
Wool in the early 1800s could be cheaply shipped to eastern markets such as Boston, where it fetched up to fifty cents a pound.
Important Facts
- Tunis sheep almost went extinct during the Civil War due to fighting and the soldiers' need for food, but one farm in South Carolina hid away a flock on their land. After the war, the breed made its way to the Great Lakes region where it began its recovery.
- These sheep have a medium-grade cream-colored wool with a three to five inch staple. One sheep can produce anywhere form seven to twelve pounds annually.
- Because of their North African influence, Tunis sheep are more tolerant of warm, humid climates. They are also known for their disease resistance and grazing ability which has made them popular in the sustainable agriculture movement.
Tunis Sheep
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1700s
Uses: Meat, Fiber
CPL Status: Watch
Uniquely American
The breed was developed after the Bey of Tunis in North Africa gifted George Washington with sheep. These sheep were crossed with local American stock to develop one of North America's first unique livestock breeds.
Founding Fathers
Records show that many big names and agricultural leader in the Revolutionary world kept these sheep on their farms including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Peters and George Washington Custis.
Wool in the early 1800s could be cheaply shipped to eastern markets such as Boston, where it fetched up to fifty cents a pound.
Important Facts
- Tunis sheep almost went extinct during the Civil War due to fighting and the soldiers' need for food, but one farm in South Carolina hid away a flock on their land. After the war, the breed made its way to the Great Lakes region where it began its recovery.
- These sheep have a medium-grade cream-colored wool with a three to five inch staple. One sheep can produce anywhere form seven to twelve pounds annually.
- Because of their North African influence, Tunis sheep are more tolerant of warm, humid climates. They are also known for their disease resistance and grazing ability which has made them popular in the sustainable agriculture movement.
American Rabbits
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1918
Uses: Meat, Fur
CPL Status: Watch
European Export
Although there are rabbits native to North America, all domestic rabbits in the U.S. descend from the European rabbit - the only species of rabbit known to be domesticated by humans.
Color Morphs
While originally only recognized in the blue variety, these rabbits con be blue, white or black. The white variety was recognized in 1925 but the black rabbits have yet to be recognized as an accepted color variant for the breed.
Americans were thought to have the best blue color and could fetch up to two dollars per pelt in 1920.
Important Facts
- With fewer than 200 animals known to exist at the time, American Rabbits almost went extinct toward the end of the 20th century due to availability of imported commercial breeds and the collapse of the fur market, but began their recovery when the Livestock Conservancy added rabbits to the conservation priority list in 2005.
- Because of the founding stock used to develop it, the breed was originally known as the German Blue Vienna but was quickly renamed due to World War I.
- While there is little to no documented evidence of domestic rabbits being in the U.S. prior to the 1840s, it is likely they were casually raised on farms or in gardens among early settlers given their popularity at the time in Western European countries.
American Rabbits
Basic Information
Origin: USA
Introduced to USA: 1918
Uses: Meat, Fur
CPL Status: Watch
European Export
Although there are rabbits native to North America, all domestic rabbits in the U.S. descend from the European rabbit - the only species of rabbit known to be domesticated by humans.
Color Morphs
While originally only recognized in the blue variety, these rabbits con be blue, white or black. The white variety was recognized in 1925 but the black rabbits have yet to be recognized as an accepted color variant for the breed.
Americans were thought to have the best blue color and could fetch up to two dollars per pelt in 1920.
Important Facts
- With fewer than 200 animals known to exist at the time, American Rabbits almost went extinct toward the end of the 20th century due to availability of imported commercial breeds and the collapse of the fur market, but began their recovery when the Livestock Conservancy added rabbits to the conservation priority list in 2005.
- Because of the founding stock used to develop it, the breed was originally known as the German Blue Vienna but was quickly renamed due to World War I.
- While there is little to no documented evidence of domestic rabbits being in the U.S. prior to the 1840s, it is likely they were casually raised on farms or in gardens among early settlers given their popularity at the time in Western European countries.