Ice boxes appeared in English and American homes shortly after the ice trade developed early 1800s. The hollow walls of wooden ice boxes were insulated with sawdust, cork or dried seaweed and lined with tin, zinc, porcelain tile or opal glass. Ice would be delivered once or twice a week or it could be purchased at an ice-house.

Cold air inside the ice box circulated around the food on nearby shelves allowing it to stay fresh. Some models had spigots for draining ice water from a catch pan or holding tank. Other models, like the one in this exhibit, had a drip pan that was placed under the box that had to be emptied once or twice a day.