The National Colonial Farm is a great place to visit to learn about life and agriculture from before the American Revolution. It is very close to D.C., and is located along the Potomac River inside of Piscataway Park in Accokeek, MD. The farm preserves several heritage breeds of farm animals. The easiest to spot is the American Devon Milking Cattle which has a red fur coat and black-tipped horns. The farm also has a unique breed of hog, the Ossabaw Hog, which originated from a population of feral hogs left on an island off the coast of Georgia. These hogs were brought by the Spanish and have adapted to the conditions on the island to a point where they are able to store body fat in a process similar to non-insulin dependent diabetes.
In addition to the many other animals, the farm also preserves historic crops and agriculture methods. Tobacco is grown and dried in the Tobacco barn. There is a kitchen garden next to the farmhouse which usually has someone in tending the garden. The farmhouse and out-kitchen are open and give a good idea of how the early settlers lived. The park staff provides a lot of information and guided tours through the different aspects of the farm.
There are other activities available including picnicking, fishing, and hiking. Piscataway Park has a few miles of hiking which wind through the farm, a native tree arboretum, and go through wetlands, meadows, and forest along the river. The trail leads to a boat dock with a great view of Mount Vernon estate. The park was created to protect this side of the river so that Mount Vernon estate will have the same view as it did in George Washington’s times. The trails also provide opportunity to see many different birds and animals including bald eagles, osprey, herons, turtles, foxes, and deer.
