Claude Moore Colonial Farm
Right in the District's backyard is our country's only privately run national park. The mission of Turkey Run is to recreate the life of 1771 tenant farmers. The vast majority of Virginians in 1771 were tenant farmers, who lived by growing tobacco to pay their rent, and growing food to eat. The Claude Moore Colonial Farm property is approximately twelve acres planted with corn, tobacco, wheat, flax, rye, barley, a kitchen garden and an orchard. The fields are tilled, planted and cultivated by hand, applying basic principles of hoe agriculture. Staff and volunteers dressed in reproduction period clothes, work the farm, and answer your questions about the farm, livestock, and family, as if you were actually an 18th century visitor.
Directions : Go North on George Washington Memorial Parkway. Take exit 123 toward Chain Bridge / Mclean (you will see Claude Moore Farm direction sign). Go south on Georgetown Pike and make a right after the CIA entrance on Colonial Farm Road. The farm will be on the left hand side.
Tel: 703-442-7557
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Wild adults weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg), but large captive males can weigh up to 350 pounds (159 kg).
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The farm has to pen the pigs so they do not go ferrel *
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Entrance into the kitchen garden toward the farm house.
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The cross pieces and the rider (top beam) keep the fence in place to keep deer and cattle out of the pioneer kitchen garden.
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The farm is raises 'Black Spanish' and the 'Bronze' turkeys. Black Spanish are said to be the oldest breed of domesticated turkey. Historically, the American Bronze Turkey has been the most popular turkey variety in the US.
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The turkeys on the colonial farm are used to eat the Tobacco Hornworms.
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Two poults (baby turkeys) follows the turkey cock (male turkey, sometimes referred to as tom) around the farm.
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The turkey has a pouchlike area at the front of his throat which is called a wattle. The head, neck, snood and wattle are all reddish colored until the male turkey begins to do his "strut" or mating dance at which time the entire area turns brilliantly bright red.
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Park volunteer herds the turkeys over to the tobacco field. They have alot of worms to eat!
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This turkey cock is surrounded by seven The poults (baby turkeys).
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Turkey cock and poults (baby turkeys).
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The farm raises Dominique chickens. This bird is medium sized with black and white barring over the entire body.
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A silver grey Dorking hen accompanies a pair of Dominique cocks to a water bucket. The Dorking is one of the oldest breeds of chickens.
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Elizebeth Rolando, staff member, repairs a bed tick.
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Looking through the farm house window into the living quarters.
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