Ice House

Building Address: 275 Connetquot Drive

Section / Block / Lot:

Surveyor’s Name: Cristina Muia

Survey Date: 9/04

Building Type: Commercial

Owner’s Name: Dowling College

Building Name: “The Icehouse”

Date of Construction:  1890

Architect: Isaac H. Green

Builders:  William Bason and Sons of Sayville

Building Dimensions:

No. of Floors:

Decorative Features:

Siding Material(s):  Brick and aluminum siding

Roof Style: gable

Roofing Material(s): Asphalt

Foundation:

Window Style(s):  Replacement storm

No. of Entrances and Placement: 

Chimneys and Placement: 

Condition: Good

Architectural Integrity:  Fair

Architectural Style:  Vernacular

Description: 
It is a two story brick building with two foot thick walls originally constructed without windows.

History:
This is located on the north side of the Connetquot Drive near the former greenhouses and potting shed.  The purpose of the building was for storing ice; used for refrigeration purposes in both the mansion and surrounding buildings.  Notably the house stands in a heavily wooded area; once nearby there was a canal and woods. This made transferring ice from the property into the house easier. At this time there were few sources for ice.  It was harvested during the winter from local ponds and stored in icehouses until late spring when it melted.  In 1902 the Suffolk County News reported, “…the ice house on the Vanderbilt estate has been filled with one hundred tons of ice from Cutting’s Pond.”  Additionally ice was brought in by railroad from other local towns and cities.  Today it is the offices of Dowling College Institute.

Source:
Dowling College. “The Estate and Environs.” http://www.dowling.edu/about/idlehour/

Tom Green.  (Owner of the Dowling Consignment Shop and Community scholar about the Vanderbilts) in conversation with Cristina Muia, September 2004.

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