RARE BREEDS Williamsburg is educating visitors about Colonial animals and saving endangered species, too GETTING THERE

By JUDY STOBBE

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

AHUGE WALL of blue water rises, then the wave crests and comes crashing down, engulfing a small vessel in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean. The screams of passengers can be heard from all over the ship. Their cries are drowned out by the shout of the first mate as the coral reefs come into view, dead ahead: "Abandon ship!"

Crawling to shore after an exhausting swim, the captain, crew, colonists and even the ship's dog find themselves on an island off the coast of Georgia. The next day, as they huddle around their campfire, a large black hog wanders into camp. The men and women stare in wide-eyed wonder.

These Ossabaw Island black pigs are thought to have come from Spain in the 16th century, and arrived much in the same way the English colonists did in the 17th century. In the aftermath of a shipwreck, the pigs swam to safety while the Spaniards transporting them perished. If one of their hardy descendants hadn't wandered into the camp when it did in 1609, the English ship's party might have starved.

Rare Breeds Program

The Coach, Livery and Livestock program was initiated by the board of trustees when the first phase of Colonial Williamsburg's restoration was complete. By 1937, carriages were available for visitors to ride around the historic area; in 1950, a consultant was hired to advise the board as to the type of carriages to use.

In those days, cows and sheep were rented for the historic area by Roy Dobbins, who ably managed the Coach, Livery and Livestock program for 22 years. At some point, a question arose about the authenticity of these animals and their place in historic Williamsburg.

Enter Richard Nicoll.

Originally from Somerset, England, Nicoll, a member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and an internationally renowned equestrian, was hired in 1985 to run the program.

When Nicoll arrived in Williamsburg, he immediately recognized the need for animals of "more of an historic nature" in the historic area "so it would look more like the 18th century."

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Colonial Williamsburg is between Fredericksburg and Norfolk, a 100-mile drive east. Take Interstate 95 south to Interstate 295 south, then Exit 28A, to Exit 138, where you follow State Route 132 north to Bypass Road. Take a right, and follow that into the historic area. You will come out on Francis Street, where parking is available close to Bassett Hall. The stables are off Lafayette Street, going east. Turn left if you are coming from Route 132 north, and right if you are coming from the historic area. They are located next to a complex of offices behind the old brick wall, and are available to visit by appointment only. WILLIAMSBURG WEB SITES

williamsburg.com: Interactive site with a brief history, highlights and plenty of information about taverns in Colonial Williamsburg and surrounding area.

visitwilliamsburg.com: Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, this site has information on group tours and accommodations. cwf.org: Use this site for research, to obtain tickets, maps and directions and even send a postcard, among other activities.

RARE-BREEDS WEB SITES milkingdevons.org: Official site of the American Milking Devon Cattle Association acdha.org: Official site for the American Cream Draft Horse; if you wish to buy a cream draft horse, visit millerscreamdraft.com. leicesterlongwool.org: Official site for the Leicester Longwool Sheep; also visit old gjerpenfarm.com to learn about Old Gjerpen Farm, which takes an active interest in breeding and conserving. canadianhorsebreeders.com: Official site for Canadian horses. To read a good story about the horses, visit ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/canadian. feathersite.com: Official site for the Nankin Bantam rooster, with nice photos.

Date published: 12/8/2007

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