Historic Ice Harvesting in Woods Hole
Reliving History
Ice Harvesting in Maine
Each winter in South Bristol, Maine, hardy folks with a love of history harvest ice from a local pond. They use antique tools just like the ones in this exhibit.
The photos below show how pond ice was harvested 100 years ago here on the Cape and throughout many of the northern states.
Ice cutting day has arrived.
The first job is to cut deep grooves into the ice using an ice plow. In this photo loose snow has filled the grooves, but the deep cuts are still there.
Following the grooves in the ice, the first blocks are cut in a line. This creates a canal in which blocks or ice can be floated to the ice house.
Blocks of ice are guided along the canal to the ice house.
This conveyor has several openings along the inclined track so that ice can be directed into the ice house at different levels.
The conveyor lifts each 300 pound block of ice into the ice house. Conveyors were first powered by horses pulling cables. Later, machines provided the power.
As each block slides into the house, men with strong backs guide it into place.
Since all of the ice blocks are the same size, they can be packed tightly.
An inside view.
After the door is closed on this wall of ice, the blocks will stay frozen for months.