Hudson Valley Sojourner

Before the advent of modern refrigeration, many communities gathered around lakes and rivers during the winter months to harvest ice, a vital resource for food preservation. The process involved carefully cutting large blocks of ice from frozen surfaces, which were transported and stored throughout the year.

Visitors to the exhibit can delve into this fascinating practice by viewing a collection of historical photographs documenting the ice harvesting process. These images vividly illustrate the techniques used and the communal effort required to harvest ice in the past.

Additionally, the exhibit offers a hands-on experience with real ice tongs, allowing participants to grasp what lifting heavy blocks of ice was like.