Ice Harvest has been scheduled for January 31, 2026!
Winter’s Coolest Tradition
Join us for a traditional ice harvest! We’re continuing to go back to our roots and reflecting upon the historical traditions of the ice harvest.
In the days before mechanical refrigeration, ice harvesting was an essential wintertime activity. The ice harvested in the winter would be used to keep food and agricultural products cold in the warmer months. Just as farmers did a century ago, we’ll be monitoring ice and weather conditions to determine the best time for the best harvest.
Details and update related to our 2026 Ice Harvest are available on our calendar page.
Public Cutting Rules:
- All visitors who want to participate in cutting will sign a release form. Adults will complete the form for anyone under the age of 18.
- To focus on the ice cutting experience, and to ensure safety for everyone:
- No phones or cameras may be used on the ice. You are welcome to take photos from the shore, and we will have a photographer on site for the day. We will also have a photo station set up near the pond.
- Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied onto the ice by an adult.
Harvesting Ice
Hanford Mills Museum’s annual Ice Harvest celebrates the historic and community traditions of harvesting ice. Learn about the process, from measuring the ice to packing it in the ice house.
The Science of Ice and Ice Houses
Why was ice such an important crop before mechanical refrigeration? Ice is full of energy, waiting to be released. Learn more about the science of ice and how Hanford Mills keeps its ice crop cold through the summer.
Ice and a Changing Climate
In New York State, climate change impacts our winter temperatures, and those changes impact the environment, wildlife, and economies. We can see the impacts of these changes at our annual Ice Harvest.