Farm Historical Society hosts 19th century Pa German ice harvest

Event includes demonstration of antique ice harvesting tools and harvesting ice blocks from pond

HISTORIC VIRGINVILLE FARM

The Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society will host a presentation of 19th century Pennsylvania German ice harvesting at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm in Virginville at 2 p.m. on Feb. 3.

The free event will include a demonstration of antique ice harvesting tools and (weather permitting) cutting and harvesting ice blocks from the ice pond. Demonstrators will explain how ice was hauled to and loaded in the icehouse. The first presentation will begin at 2:15 and a second presentation will be at 3 p.m.

Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides will be offered for a small fee. A bonfire, homemade soup, and hot chocolate will be available, and the farm grounds and nature trail will be open to the public.

The event is free to the public and will be held rain or shine, with only blizzard conditions or pouring rain cancelling. If thin ice prevents walking on the pond, a demonstration of tools and techniques will still be held. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on an unpaved, farm lane.

The Historic Dreibelbis Farm is located on Route 143 south of the village of Virginville. GPS address is 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg, PA. Parking is available on-site.

The ice harvesting demonstration is the first of several events to be hosted in 2024 by the Dreibelbis

Farm Historical Society to fulfill its mission to preserve and protect the historic Dreibelbis farm and to make it available to the public for educational, historical, and environmental purposes. Other events, such as the annual Wetlands and Wildflowers Walk, a Spring Peeper Walk, and the annual Historic Farm Festival will be held in coming months.

For more information follow “Historic Dreibelbis Farm” on Facebook or contact Mark or Janine Dreibelbis at 610-451-1193. Visit www.Dreibelbisfarm. org.

The ice harvesting demonstration is the first of several events to be hosted in 2024 by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society to fulfill its mission to preserve and protect the historic Dreibelbis farm and to make it available to the public for educational, historical, and environmental purposes.

BILL UHRICH — MEDIANEWS GROUP Tor Hinks, 6, son of Nate and Kelly Hinks of Downingtown, lifts a block of ice using tongs during the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society’s presentation of Pennsylvania German ice harvesting last year at the farm near Virginville.

Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society president Mark Dreibelbis explains how an ice sled was used in the harvesting of ice from a pond on the Dreibelbis Farm near Virginville during last year’s demonstration.

A horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered at the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society’s presentation of Pennsylvania German ice harvesting on Feb. 3at the farm near Virginville.