By J.W. Oliver
The ice harvest at Thompson Ice House in South Bristol will feature hayrides, ice skating and refreshments today, Feb. 16.
Volunteers guide a block of ice onto a chute during the annual ice harvest at the Thompson Ice House in South Bristol Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. The 2014 harvest, featuring hayrides, ice skating and refreshments, will take place Sunday, Feb. 16. (J.W. Oliver photo, LCN file) |
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The free event attracts large crowds every year to participate or watch as a crew of volunteers cuts large blocks of ice from Thompson Pond.
Locals and visitors of all ages use antique tools to move the blocks along a narrow channel in the ice, up a wood ramp and into the historic ice house.
The event offers a rare opportunity to witness an ice harvest, a common event in the days before refrigerators.
The Thompson Ice House was once a thriving business, a place for homeowners to buy the ice necessary to refrigerate their food. Today, hunters and sailors use most of the ice.
Ice house merchandise will be available and the ice house museum will be open.
The event will start at 9 a.m. and wrap up around 3 p.m.
The nonprofit Thompson Ice House Preservation Corp. manages the Thompson Ice House, a working museum dedicated to the methods of traditional ice harvesting in South Bristol. For more information, visit http://www.thompsonicehouse.com.
