22 New Lambs Born At George Washington's Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, VA—When spring comes around, we picture blooming flowers, greener landscapes and warmer weather. George Washington's Mount Vernon estate can add another perk to that list: the birth of baby animals.

Mount Vernon recently welcomed 22 new lambs to its livestock population. The estate breeds and cares for the rare Hog Island sheep, which are descendants of the sheep from Hog Island in the mid-1600s.

"Mount Vernon’s new lamb population consists of 14 girls and eight boys," said Mount Vernon livestock supervisor Lisa Pregent in a statement. "We are expecting two more ewes to lamb any day now."

According to the Mount Vernon estate, the Hog Island sheep may have originated in Great Britain. The sheep's bloodline remained relatively unchanged due to the nearly complete isolation of Hog Island.

In 1785, Washington himself owned 283 sheep, which included 19 rams, 167 ewes, 15 lambs and 82 weathers (neutered males). Just fourteen years later, that flock grew to 640.

Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A few of the special events coming up include Revolutionary War Weekend (May 4-5), Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour (May 17-19) and Martha Washington's Birthday Celebration (June 1).

If you plan to visit on Sunday, April 28, be aware that the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed in both directions from Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon from 6 a.m. to about 11 a.m. for the GW Parkway Classic.