Educational Homemade Ice Cream Social Saturday at Monument Hill
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An old-fashioned ice cream tub, along with some toppings, sits in front of the Kreische Home at the state historic site above La Grange.
Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites will host an educational ice cream social, Saturday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The community is invited to participate in the timeless art of hand-cranking homemade ice cream on a hot summer’s day. “Ice cream has been a traditional treat around the world for centuries, but it truly became a popular community event around the same time that Kreische’s brewery was in operation,” says Jenny Townzen, educator at the sites. “We’ve found records of ‘ice cream suppers’ in local newspapers throughout the late 19th century. One of these announcements was even published right below H.L. Kreische’s Union Beer Hall advertisement in 1881.”
La Grange’s history with ice cream is much like any other small town in Texas in the 1800s. Initially, ice was hard to come by because it had to be imported from the north and it melted easily in the Texas heat. The frozen treat was thus limited to wealthier families and confectionary stores. With the construction of the railroad in town and local ice houses in the late 19th century, ice became much more accessible. As a result, ice cream socials rose as prominent forms of social gathering.
Keeping this tradition alive, Saturday will consist of making ice cream from scratch using the sites’ traditional ice cream maker. Visitors are invited to take part in the hand-cranked batch, which will use a historical recipe, or they can make their own modern versions in individual bags. While shaking and churning their ice cream, visitors can learn more about the science of ice cream, the history of ice and refrigeration, and globalization of frozen desserts. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the sites and take in the Bluff views while snacking on their frozen creations.
The sites’ regular admission fees apply. The ice cream making activity and ingredients are included at no additional charge while supplies last. Donations are welcome and will support further education initiatives and preservation efforts at Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill. For more information and updates, check the sites’ social media or call (979) 968-5658.