Local Contributors Capture the Lost Industry of Ice Harvesting

Lakeville, PA: Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour & Ice Harvest Museum would like to thank the contributors to the natural ice harvest museum in Lakeville, PA. A wide variety of ice tools, postcards, signs, videos and other items were donated or given on loan from the region’s historical societies as well as individual contributors.

Traditional ice harvests are still demonstrated in Sterling and Tobyhanna. It was after participating in these events that Sculpted Ice Works owner Mark Crouthamel realized he wanted to show this unique industry in a museum setting. “There are so many groups who would enjoy this: senior groups, school groups, scout groups”, Crouthamel said. “It is because of our contributors that we are able to show such a full picture of the process of ice harvesting, storing, and delivering ice.”

Ice Harvest Museum Contributors include:
Wallenpaupack Historical Society; Wayne County Historical Society; Green Dreher Historical Society; Carol Dunn, Beach Lake, PA; James Kundradic, Sterling, PA; Dave Swingle, Howetown Farm, Sterling, PA; Rick Smith, Pocono Lake, PA; Doc. Kitchen, Pocono Lake, PA; Dave Neenan, Welcome Lake, PA; Max Hazelton, Greentown, PA; Claude Seeley, Tafton, PA; John Tandy, Paupack, PA; D.J. Roberts, Hawley, PA; and Penelope Treat, Lakeville, PA.

Ice was harvested both on a small scale on local farms for private use as well as a commercial operation on larger lakes. Commercial operations, such as Lake Ladore, Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna provided much needed ice to cities in the northeast. To learn more about the region’s ice harvesting history, visit the Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour & Ice Harvest Museum, open daily through the summer. For information call 570-226-6246 or visit sculptediceworks.com

Photo: Rick Smith of Pocono Lake, and Mark Crouthamel, owner Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour & Ice Harvest Museum at the June 30 Grand Opening of the Tour & Museum.