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Community Corner

Crystal Products of the Frost King: Ice Harvesting and the Natural Ice Industry in New England

The Vernon Historical Society will hold its first meeting of 2014 on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 2:00 pm at the Society’s location at 734 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) in Vernon, Connecticut.   (The snow date will be Sunday, February 16th.)  After a brief business meeting, Mr. Dennis D. Picard, Museum Director at the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield,  Massachusetts, will present “Crystal Products of the Frost King: Ice Harvesting and the Natural Ice Industry in New England.”   

Before the development of iceboxes and electric refrigeration, canny New Englanders harvested ice from frozen ponds.  The ice was packed in sawdust, stored and then shipped around the nation and all over the world.  The now forgotten ice industry employed many New Englanders.  Ice harvesting was even done in Vernon’s own Snipsic Lake.  Mr. Picard, a museum professional in “living history” for over 35 years, began his career at Old Sturbridge Village in 1978.  He has researched and designed many public programs that are still offered by that institution today.  He has an extensive background in sociology and has served as a consultant for many historical societies and museums.  He has also authored many articles on the lifestyles and folkways of New England.  His discussion about the vanished occupation of ice harvesting at the Vernon Historical Society on January 19th will include information about its economic impact and the tools and techniques for cutting, saving and shipping New England’s frozen “treasure.”  The Vernon Historical Society invites everyone to hear him speak.  There will be a brief business meeting before Mr. Picard’s presentation, and refreshments will be served after.  The program is free and open to the public.  For more information, please call the Society at 860-875-4326 or send an email to vernonhs@sbcglobal.net or visit our webpage at www.vernonhistoricalsoc.org.


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