TOBYHANNA MILLPOND #1 ICE HARVEST UPDATE

2071 Lakeside Drive, Tobyhanna, PA

 The recent warm weather conditions have not been good for the ice crop.  Even if we cannot cut ice at the 30^th Annual Ice Harvest on January 28th, we welcome all visitors to come and hear about the ice harvest industry and see our extensive collection of ice harvesting tools and equipment. It’s a great opportunity for the family to enjoy the outdoors while learning about the local ice harvest history, and it’s free!  Check the ice harvest hotline at 570-894-8205 for the latest information. 

We have some new additions to our collection of ice harvesting equipment and relics from the ice industry:

Wayne Wargo from Greentown PA donated a “Leonard Cleanable” (no kidding, that is the name) white porcelain icebox, circa 1910, manufactured in Grand Rapids MI.  Iceboxes were used to keep food chilled before the modern refrigerator, and were cooled with a cake of natural ice like we cut from Millpond #1. 

James Blazys from Waterbury CT donated an ice plow that was used to cut ice in the 1800s before gas powered ice saws were invented.   The plows were pulled by a horse and cut a groove in the ice, and were pulled back and forth until the ice was cut 2/3 of the ice thickness and the individual cakes could be spudded off. 

We also acquired a circa 1920s gas powered Gifford Wood Ice Saw powered by a 2-cylinder LeRoi engine.  Thanks to some local wizards of old-engines: Harry Smith, Mike Fairservice, Dave Fairservice, and Lester Miller we got the saw operating and hope to use it this year. 

While you are in Tobyhanna on Saturday, be sure to visit the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association Wills Mansion Museum and stop by the local VFW for breakfast.

The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association (co-sponsor of the ice harvest) will open the historic Wills Mansion Museum from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.   Stop by to see ice harvesting tools and memorabilia and tour the displays of our local history.   The Wills Mansion Museum is located just over a mile from the icehouse, on Route 611 at the Coolbaugh Township Municipal Complex, 5590 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna. 

VFW Post 509, located at 1917 Goodwin Street in Tobyhanna, less than a mile from the icehouse, will be serving a great and affordable breakfast from 7:00 am to 11:30 am.