ACCORDING TO KLETSCHER family history, my dad and Uncle Mike harvested ice from the Redwood River in Marshall many, many decades ago.
I learned that historical tidbit last year from my Uncle Merlin, who helped me with questions for a family reunion trivia competition. My dad never spoke of this winter work, once common in Minnesota. He died in 2003, Mike in 2001, so I’ll never know anything more about their ice harvesting experience.
Harvesting ice on Clear Lake.
On Wednesday, February 16, anyone interested in learning about this winter activity should head over to Waseca for the 10th annual Ice Harvest from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Clear Lake Park.
There visitors will participate in the traditions of ice scoring, cutting, and then storing blocks of harvested ice, in sawdust, in an ice house.
Local students will be there, too, joining in sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, wood cutting and more.
The Waseca County Historical Society, FarmAmerica and AKorn Productions are hosting the event. For more information, contact the WCHS at (507) 835-7700 or go to www.historical.waseca.mn.us.
READERS, IF YOU have stories to share about harvesting ice, submit a comment. I’d like to hear more about this winter activity.
Photo courtesy of the Waseca County Historical Society
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I had never heard of this. Certainly do not remember your Dad ever talking about it. Of course as Rae would say “she doesn’t remember a thing.” Sounds like a cold and (wet) job. And not much fun.
There are so many things I didn’t know about my dad…if only I had taken the time to ask. I can imagine that harvesting river or lake ice is a challenging task. But how resourceful.
I do believe that our “Friends of Gilfillan” group from the area harvest ice from Sleepy Eye lake for making ice cream in the summer at Farmfest. How interesting! They must have a “very tight ice” house. It would be interesting to find out just how long ice would stay cold.
Isn’t it true how little we really know about our parents. I really should start finding out a little more about my parents’ past, since they are both still alive.
Dawn, I was unaware that the Friends of Gilfillan also harvested ice. But you are right. Readers, check out this link: redwoodcountyhistoricalsociety.com/news.php?key=treat
The Gifillan Estate, located between Morgan and Redwood Falls, is the annual site of FarmFest. Volunteers, utilizing ice harvested from Lake Sleepy Eye, make ice cream to sell at the agricultural event and at other summer-time festivities.
This ice harvesting and ice cream making would be interesting to see. Anyone know when these happen?
I know some of the people that are in the group and one man in particular that lives on the Gilfillan site and helps with the ice harvesting and ice cream making. I can find out these answers for you. It is really VERY good ice cream. It would be worth a trip for anyone to come here to southwestern Minnesota just to try this ice cream!!
That would be great, Dawn. This is just another one of those small-town, rural Minnesota, off-the-beaten path stories that I love to discover and share with readers. Thanks for the tip. I look forward to getting your information and perhaps trying out some of that ice cream this summer.