Williamsburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

(Ice House) Mount

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2023

1. (Ice House) Mount Marker

Inscription. This mount, which offers interesting perspectives of the garden below, covers the original ice vault. The colonial ice house served the Royal Governors of Virginia in residence at the Governors Palace. The ice was probably cut from nearby ponds; possibly from the palace canal itself during the winter months.
Well packed and insulated by the earth, brick of the structure, and possibly interior layers of straw or similar materials, the ice was available for use in chilling beverages and preparing ices and the like delicacies throughout the summer.
Although it is unlikely that the ice house remained in use after the destruction of the Palace in 1781, archaeological investigation in 1931 revealed that it was still in a good state of preservation. The ice house is barrel shaped, the maximum diameter being slightly more than nine feet. Its domeroof (sic) is eighteen feet from the floor. It is estimated to have a capacity of twenty tons. The brick floor, walk, and roof are, for the most part, of original construction. The only access was a brick tunnel opening on the north side, to prevent the admission of sunlight.

Erected by Colonial Williamsburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

37° 16.526′ N, 76° 42.163′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Palace Green Street near Scotland Street. The ice house Mount is behind the Governor's Palace. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Palace Green Street, Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Within this Enclosure (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Palace Gardens Cemetery (about 300 feet away); The Governor's Palace & Gardens (about 600 feet away); Mattey Free School (about 700 feet away); Robert Carter House (about 800 feet away); Gowan Pamphlet (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shop of Kenneth McKenzie (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the First Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

(Ice House) Mount Marker and a potion of the the Palace Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2023

2. (Ice House) Mount Marker and a potion of the the Palace Gardens

The Ice House Mount image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2023

3. The Ice House Mount

Entrance to the vault image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2023

4. Entrance to the vault

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 450 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.