King Farm Dairy Mooseum to be Part of Montgomery County Heritage Days




There's been a King family farming in Montgomery County for more than 200 years. Now, the current generation of the King farm family will be featured, along with their farm, at Montgomery County's unique King Barn Dairy MOOseum as a featured part of the county's Heritage Montgomery celebration during the weekend of June 25-26.

Douglas, Jane, and Mary King of Kingstead Farm in Damascus will be on hand to meet visitors on Sunday afternoon, June 26, at the historic dairy barn located in the South Germantown Recreational Park, 18028 Central Park Circle, off Md. Route 118. The MOOseum showcases the history of local dairy farming, when more than 300 dairy farms operated in Montgomery County to serve the Nation's Capital.

The Kings were one of the first farm families to join the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Association and shipped fresh milk to the dairy cooperative for more than 75 years. They are known worldwide for their breeding of registered Holstein dairy cattle and own one of the top 10 cows in the world.

The MOOseum's educational exhibits have been designed to be of interest for all ages and include a life-size milking Holstein cow, a scale model replica of the King farmstead, as well as exhibits and tours related to the production, processing and marketing of milk and milk products. The collection includes milk coolers, cream separators, milk bottles and cans, butter churns, milking machines and other dairy industry artifacts.

Open hours during Montgomery County Heritage Days are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Special features at the MOOseum include a life-size replica of Astronaut, one of the world's most famous dairy bulls, that was purchased by Montgomery County agricultural interests in 1968 and became internationally acclaimed for dairy breed excellence and productivity, a milkable replica of a Guernsey cow, a bulk milk tank and pipeline demonstration and a Civil War anniversary display. A separate children's craft room provides educational materials.

The MOOseum has become one of the most visited attractions in the Germantown area and sits in the South Germantown Regional Park. Admission is free, although contributions are welcome.

06.16.2011