How To Make 18th Century Ice Cream
Join our Historic Trades manager to see how ice cream was made in the 18th century.
Watch the VideoOpen 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.
From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!
Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858.
Need primary and secondary sources, videos, or interactives? Explore our Education Pages!
The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only.
In this module you will be answering the Compelling Question by exploring three Supporting Questions and analyzing primary and secondary sources. By the end of the module you will be able complete a Summative Task and Take Informed Action.
Instructions:
To begin, read the Compelling Question and introduction below. Then watch the video “How to Make 18th Century Ice Cream.” When you have finished, select the NEXT button.
The Washingtons were part of the upper class in the new United States of America. They hosted guests year round because of their position in society and wealth. Much of their wealth came from the land. It also came from the number of enslaved people they owned. The enslaved people would work on the land without pay or rights. They raised crops and animals for the Washingtons' needs. These needs included food and drink for entertaining.
In the summertime, the Washingtons gave ice cream to their guests. This cold dish was an exclusive treat. It took a lot of work to prepare and serve. The first reference to ice cream at Mount Vernon dates back to May of 1784. The inventory of Mount Vernon, completed shortly after George Washington’s death in 1799, lists two pewter ice cream pots and eight tin ice cream pots. The large number of ice cream pots suggests that ice cream was a treat served often at Mount Vernon.
Join our Historic Trades manager to see how ice cream was made in the 18th century.
Watch the Video