Free Winter Ice Cream Social Scheduled for January 24th in Stillwater's Lowell Park

Ice cream in January? Outdoors? Down by the river? When the average high temperature is minus six degrees?

Why not! If our ancestors could handle it so can we!

The Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) is resurrecting from the past a great idea to celebrate winter during the Society’s 75th anniversary year. On Saturday, January 24, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.,the WCHS will hold an old-fashioned ice cream social in downtown Stillwater’s Lowell Park on the St. Croix riverfront. WCHS would like to thank CUB Foods, the Supreme Bean, and Leo's Grill & Malt Shop for their donations!

The public is invited and encouraged to wear historic garb appropriate for the occasion.

“We might see some interesting lumberjack outfits that have been in the attic for decades,” says WCHS Executive Director Brent Peterson. “We don’t expect too many vintage swimsuits, but you just never know.”

Peterson came up with the idea when he discovered some old photographs of past winter ice cream socials from the 1950s. “When you see these old photos, everyone looks like they were having so much fun, despite the cold. It was a true celebration of Minnesota winter, so we just decided to try it ourselves in the 21st century.”

Past to Present
Back in 1950, Washington County civic leaders began an annual series of these winter ice cream socials. And the idea flourished until the early 1980s, despite temperatures that often dipped to minus 20 degrees or colder. The forecast for January 24, 2009? Cold, with a variety of flavors awaiting vigorous and hearty ice cream lovers.

For more information, please contact the Washington County Historical Society at (651) 439-5956 or at www.wchsmn.org.