On a frigid winter evening with the North East River beginning to freeze over, a warm, welcoming glow filled the doorway of the P. K. Barnes Icehouse, drawing a curious crowd to the shoreline. They were there, braving the chilly January wind, to learn about the history of meticulous preservation of this remarkable structure and its captivating story.
Jeannette Armour and Sonny Diamonte have been working to restore the late 19th-century property and create engaging exhibits. During this special opening, which drew interested visitors, Jeannette and Sonny shared the stories of long-ago Charlestown, along with artifacts related to fishing, hunting, and ice harvesting, as they brought this story to life.
Perry K. Barnes and his half-brothers were industrious fishermen and duck hunters, owning the county’s largest fishery near Carpenter’s Point. To prepare their catch for city markets, they packed fish and ducks in barrels of ice, which were transported to the Charlestown Railroad Station.
To ensure a steady supply of ice, Perry built the icehouse in 1890. During winter, when the river froze, the crew cut ice from the river and stored it in the icehouse. This practice continued until 1920, when refrigeration made ice harvesting obsolete, turning the icehouse into a storage building.
We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits and engaging discussions with Jeannette and Sonny, who expertly navigated the process of creating and interpreting the exhibit. It was an enjoyable evening celebrating Charlestown’s rich history. As the night settled in the crowd moved to the warmth of the Wellwood Club where conversations about earlier times continued.
Thank you, Jeanette and Sonny, for an enjoyable evening and for your work in preserving the county’s past. Your dedication keeps the history of the P.K. Barnes Icehouse alive for future generations.