Ice Axe

This tool at Smith’s Tavern is an ice axe that has a long wooden handle with a steel long and wide axe blade on one end and a small pick-like appendage at the other end of the axe head.  The construction is similar to that of a fireman’s axe. This is not the type of ice axe used in mountain climbing as it would be too heavy.

 

Ice was harvested from the lake in blocks in the winter months and stored in a warehouse insulted with sawdust.  This tool would be used to cut ice blocks delivered to the house for the icebox (long before refrigerators).  

 

 Reference:  None

Catalog Items:

Item T23

Location:	Panel 18
Length:	67 cm
Width:	33 cm
Weight:	1866 g