Pictured is the sawing of ice blocks from the Grasse River. Image from the St. Lawrence County Historical Association.

CANTON – Before the widespread adoption of home refrigerators, ice had to be cut from frozen rivers and lakes during the winter and shipped around the country. Through the early twentieth century, people in St. Lawrence County participated in harvesting ice during the winter months.

Learn about the local history of cutting ice on Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Second Saturday Children’s Program at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House, 3 East Main St. At 11 a.m. kids will hear a story about ice harvesting and make an ice-related craft to bring home. This is free and aimed at kids ages 4-10, and their parents or caregivers.

Children’s books, such as The Adirondack Kids: The Pond Hockey Challenge by Justin & Gary VanRiper and Eye on the Iditarod: Aisling’s Quest, by Aisling Laura Shepherd and Hope Irvin Marston, are available for purchase at the SLCHA.

Old-fashioned toys like spinning tops, jacks, and Jacob’s ladders are also available, and SLCHA members receive a 10 percent discount on most items in the Gift Shop

Info: 386-8133 or www.slcha.org.