Out on the 1860s and 1890s living history farms our visitors will learn about the evolution of daily life and culture in this area of Colorado. When they visit the farms between 10 am and 4 pm they are likely to encounter some of our incredible historic interpreters, many of whom have been with the museum for more than 15 years! Their work, in addition to explaining historic trades and skills, is to maintain the two gardens, pumpkin fields, and livestock on both farms. Much of the produce that visitors see being used in our cooking demonstrations comes from the gardens our interpreters plant and maintain throughout the year. 

The living history farms allow visitors to experience life in 19th-century Littleton. Interpretive staff and volunteers dressed in period-appropriate costume perform the day-to-day activities essential to 19th-century farm life. Unique to each farm are the breeds of livestock and the types and varieties of plants found in the gardens and fields. Great care has been taken to ensure that plants and animals are historically accurate for the time period they represent.

While we do have animals on the farms, this is not a petting zoo. Do not feed or pet the animals.

Winter 2021 Animal Update:

We are fortunate to have our animals all year round. We are in Colorado and the weather changes frequently. Our animals are happy and well cared for whether they are in hot weather or cold weather. We are going to focus on our animal cares and needs during the lower temperature days and cold nights.

Our livestock (including Julie the Mule, Ernest the Donkey, Fitzgerald & Ford the Oxen, Jed & Ferdinand the Rams, Bud the Bull, June the Cow, Blanche the Pig, and the sheep flock) receive straw beds to bundle down in. We give them extra hay to help with the extra calories for their bodies to produce the needed body heat, and we supply them with water heaters in each trough to keep their water from freezing.

Our poultry (chickens and turkeys) are still given as much food as they can eat and are under heat lamps in their coops when they are put away for the evenings. We have a heated base that their water sit on to prevent those from freezing as well.

We have two new boars as of October 19! We have a larger boar that is four years old and a smaller boar that is around 8 months old. The boars are yet to be named. We may have a contest to suggest names! We will put them together with Blanche, who has not had piglets before (which makes her a "gilt") in February. Hopefully there are piglets next year (then Blanche will be a "sow").

Our animals are kept warm, happy, and well cared for all year round, especially during the winter. Bundle up and come say hello!