Block Island's Treasure: the Petting Zoo at Chez Manisses by 1661 House

Wildlife Biologist Justin Abrams happens to be one of America's most successful hoteliers, with the most elegant guest houses on gorgeous Block Island, from the Manisses to 1661 House to Chez Manisses, his finest restaurant and The Oar, my favorite source for clam chowder in the USA. But Justin has never left his love for animals far behind. Today, the free petting zoo on the farm that stretches along the hilly light infused acres between his 1661 Inn bed and breakfast and his beautifully restored Hotel Manisses, as well as the lovely French Restaurant Chez Manisses, boasts a wide variety of wildlife from camels to kangaroos to lemurs, and don't forget Justice the yak, two friendly emus, the zeedonk, the fainting goat, the Jacob sheep, and numerous lamas, the albino ducks, and a very endearing tortoise named Shelby. Most engaging is Justin, with his amazing stories from how to care for a camel to rescuing the Manisses' classic structure from the bulldozers to his early years refining the American chicken. Here we meet one of America's most gentle of gentleman and get to know the charming menagerie Abrams started in 1975, which demonstrates vividly the joy that such a variety of animals can bring to a community. We'll experience such beauty and fun if we can integrate more animals into our communities, like Justin does, winter, spring, summer and fall on Block Island, with the help of some king-sized heating units, a staff of 160 and his truly enormous heart. Here's how!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• The 1661 Inn
• Hotel Manisses
• Chez Manisses
• Justin Abrams
• Dana Lee Cohen
• Petting Zoos of America
• Free Petting Zoo
• Gentleman Farmer
• camel
• yak
• lemur
• zeedonk
• duck
• Fainting goat
• Jacob Sheep
• tortoise
• Shelby
• animals
• alternative zoos
• humane treatment of animals
• animals at risk