Visiting the Nye Barn is a "rare" experience — rare breeds, that is. Since 1980, Plimoth Plantation has helped conserve rare and heritage breed livestock from around the world. The animals you will see at the Nye Barn, as well as those in the 1627 English Village, are all older breeds that were common in past centuries, but have critically low breeding populations today.

The Nye Barn offers you a closer look at these special animals, who may be in their stalls, or in the adjoining fenced pasture. In the stall-side exhibition area you will learn about the 4000-year-old origins of Kerry cattle, as well as the history of Milking Devon cattle, San Clemente and Arapawa Island goats, Tamworth swine and Dorking fowl. Find out what particular traits made these animals ideal for life in 17th-century New England. Take a moment to "ruminate upon" the global importance of conserving these endangered breeds of livestock for future generations.

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