Ice Harvesting Program

Come hear ice harvester Tim Graf talk about the history and process of ice harvesting on Thursday, February 23!

Graf lives in Burnsville, MN, and his grandparents operated the Worthington Ice Company in southwest Minnesota from 1930-1943. Growing up with stories of the ice business sparked his interest. For many years he has collected tools and information about the industry. In 1997, he began working with the Three Rivers Park District and has done hands-on ice harvest demonstrations for the last 13 years at the Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington each January. They do presentations where kids and adults alike can experience the activities of the trade.

The ice industry spanned about 150 years, beginning around 1800. Most cities and towns in Minnesota with a river or lake had an ice company to service homes, businesses and the railroads. The industry shipped ice as far away as Calcutta, India! In 1880, it was the second largest American export behind cotton. By 1914 America was cutting over 26 million tons of ice. 10% of homes still had an icebox in 1950. The electric refrigerator and artificial ice making machines put an end to the natural ice business in the 1950's.

This presentation will include film footage of ice harvests from the 1920's to the 1940's. There will be some tools of the trade on display and lots of discussion about the highlights of the industry.

The program will begin at 7:00pm. at the Rice County Historical Society Museum of History, 1814 NW Second Avenue, Faribault MN. Refreshments will be served following the program. Admission is $2.00 for non-members and FREE for members. Reservations are encouraged. Please contact the Rice County Historical Society at (507) 332-2121 with any questions.