The Ice House

The Ice House. . , You are now facing the stonewall remains of the Ice House. In this photo, taken after the 1930-40 renovation of the Farmhouse, the Ice House is the building located on the right, under the trees, that extends outward toward the driveway between the Barn, which is partly visible on the left, and the Farmhouse on the slope above., The Ice House stood 20 x 17 ½ feet and had two stories including a basement and a first floor. The basement was accessible from the east elevation while the first floor was accessible from the west elevation. The Dennis Family stored ice in the first floor room and, as it melted, cold water passed through the floor, to the basement where it cooled products that were stored in the Ice House. Additional drainage carried wastewater from the basement into the yard below., The Dennis Farm contributed significantly to the regional market economy. For example, according to the 19th century Agricultural Census, butter was one of the main dairy products the Dennis Family produced and sold at market. In 1870, the farm produced 800 pounds of butter. You can imagine family members carrying fresh milk from the barn to the Ice House, where the milk and newly churned butter were cooled, and then transporting these and other products to market, via local railways. You can also imagine members of the family coming to the Ice House for a cool drink of fresh milk, or butter for bread., To learn more about The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust or to make a donation please visit us at www.thedennisfarm.org