Impact of Storm Causes Cancellation of the Ice Harvest Festival at Hanford Mills Museum

Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith has had to cancel Saturday’s Ice Harvest Festival due to the winter storm. On Friday, there was standing water throughout the site, including on top of the frozen Mill Pond. “As the water freezes overnight, it will make for unsafe conditions,” explains Liz Callahan, the Museum’s executive director. “Visitor safety is the priority.”

Callahan said that staff had prepared for months for the event, including clearing snow from the frozen Mill Pond to ensure a good crop of ice. “I want to thank the SUNY Delhi Hospitality Center Program, the exhibitors, and the crew of Ice Harvest volunteers who were ready to help out at the event,” said Callahan. “We really were looking forward to the event, especially since last year it was a virtual Ice Harvest due to the COVID pandemic. The Ice Harvest Festival is usually our biggest event of the year, so to miss it two years in a row is a big disappointment.”

Callahan said there are videos of the ice harvesting process and other information on the website, hanfordmills.org.

“After this setback, we will regroup and get ready for the start of a new season at Hanford Mills Museum,” she said. Tours of the historic sawmill, gristmill and woodworking shop begin May 15. “We are looking forward to demonstrating both water power and steam power again at the Mill.”

About Hanford Mills Museum

Hanford Mills Museum operates an authentic water- and steam-powered historic site, which includes a sawmill, gristmill, and woodworking shop. The mission of Hanford Mills Museum is to inspire audiences of all ages to explore connections among energy, technology, natural resources, and entrepreneurship in rural communities with a focus on sustainable choices. Hanford Mills, which is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places, will open for the 2022 season on May 15.

Hanford Mills is located at 51 County Highway 12 in East Meredith, at the intersection of Delaware County Routes 10 & 12, just 10 miles from Oneonta, and 15 miles from Delhi.  For more information, visit www.hanfordmills.orgor call607/278-5744.