(Host) In a throwback to the early 19th century, a flock of sheep was grazing on the campus of the University of Vermont Friday.
William Avert is a retired business professor at UVM. He now gives free tours of the university every Saturday through the summer. Avert says that, although the historical records are not crystal-clear, this is the first time sheep have roamed the green since the 1830’s or so.
(Avert) "A farmer who lived half a mile down Williston Road would let loose his flock of two dozen sheep. They’d wander down Williston Road, which of course was a dirt path, and wander here. The students didn’t like the sheep poop; they didn’t like the bleating. It was, after all, their green. There were several episodes of pranks against the farmer – against the sheep. At one point the students tied up the sheep in a large circle with a rope. Hundreds of townspeople came and watched."
(Host) For fear of such student pranks, the university says these 21st century sheep won’t be sticking around the green for long. The university only loaned the cross-bred sheep – a mix of dorset and polypay – from Shelburne Farms to kick off its fourth season of historic tours that begins Saturday.
Earlier: UVM Traces Its History With Walking Tour