Cape Pond Ice: A Historic Ice Facility on the Coast of Cape Ann in Gloucester, MA

 

 

45 minute narrated tours of Gloucester's historic ice company are available throughout the week. Please call (978-283-0174) or e-mail to reserve spaces in our scheduled tours, or to book a special tour appointment. Tours are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors and children under 12 (also special Group Discounts). Children under 7 are free. Warm clothing or a sweatshirt & practical shoes recommended!

• Explore our historic ice house and working wharf. 
• See spectacular ice sculptures. 
• Learn about our 156 year history icing Gloucester's fleet and our Perfect Storm connection

Enjoy a uniquely "COOL" visit to the Cape Pond Ice Company, where we've been icing Gloucester's fleet since 1848. We were featured in Sebastian Junger's account of THE PERFECT STORM. Tours highlight the history of the industry,with vintage film of natural harvests. Explore our historic Ice House and see first hand 300-pound block ice being made - up to 350 tons per day. See fishing vessels taking on ice, and ice sculptures being carved in our historic ice house on Gloucester's working waterfront!

The Cape Pond Ice office shop features historic photographs and tools documenting the company's history since 1848, and vintage movie footage of early 1900 ice harvesting. You can even watch The Perfect Storm.  A viewing window in the office looks out on the 350 ton per day ice block manufacturing area. 

The public is welcome to glimpse whatever waterfront action happens to be going on, from loading ice onto fishing boats at our wharf, to looking inside the refrigerated "icehouse".  Our ice sculptor may also be at work, and custom ice sculptures are on display. 

This is an unusual & interesting part of Gloucester's working waterfront and local history. But be warned:  this is an active industrial plant, so due care & caution must be observed. 

Get Directions to Cape Pond Ice Company, Gloucester, MA .