NORWAY — Ice harvesting on Norway Lake was once a thriving business.
As much as 35,000 pounds of ice that were harvested and put into an ice house and delivered to summer camps largely before the 1950, when electric refrigerators came to the summer camps.
Now the Norway Historical Society is seeking help as they develop a program on ice harvesting on Norway Lake, also known as Lake Pennessewassee.
Ice harvesting was a big business on Norway Lake for many decades. In the winter of 1924, for example, a large crew harvested ice at the lake which was brought to South Paris, where W.W. Ripley could store 9,000 cakes of ice that were 16 inches thick.
Weather conditions didn’t always help with harvesting ice. In late December 1948, South Paris ice dealer and harvester Llewellyn Russell checked the thickness of the ice to find it six-and-one-half inches thick. Mild temperatures and rain all but halted conditions for the normal 12-inch ice harvest, according to the Lewiston Daily Sun.
Hamilton said anyone who has information, artifacts or memorabilia related to the ice harvesting business should contact the society at 743-7377 or .norwaymehistory@gmail.com.
ldixon@sunjournal.com
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