Antique Ice-Harvesting Tools Donated to Middletown Historical Society

The last month received a donation of four antique tools that offer a window into New England's long-gone ice-harvesting industry, according to a story in the Hartford Courant.

Debbie Shapiro, executive director of the historical society, said the donor, Middletown resident Virginia Olander, told her they were used by crews to harvest ice on Westfield's Highland Pond, where her father's dairy farm was once found.

The two rusty iron cross-cut saws and pry bar, about four feet in length, were made by Bisston Philadelphia, USA. The horse-drawn plough still has its wooden yoke and heavy woven ropes.

Simonds International says, "The hand saw market in 1900 was dominated by Henry Disston & Sons of Philadelphia and E. C. Atkins & Company based in Indianapolis," referring to the two companies as "lofty competitors."

These hefy tools are housed in a shed at the rear of the historical society, where, Shapiro says, they await an exhibit where they might be included.