A major exhibition exploring the rich history of ice cream, from its ancient origins through the present day, Ice Cream: Our Cool Obsession comprises historical artifacts, contemporary and historical photography, and a retro ice cream parlor, where visitors can enjoy their favorite ice cream novelties.

Viewers will learn about the world’s first ice creams – primitive water ices made with juices and wines circa 336-323 BC – and their development into the ice cream we know today. The exhibition chronicles technological advances and social patterns in the domestic and eventual commercial production of ice cream. It also explores the democratization of ice cream’s consumption during the nineteenth century, when it ceased to be a delight reserved for the wealthy and became available to the masses.

The exhibition concludes with a thorough examination of ice cream throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, detailing the ice cream industry, social customs surrounding ice cream enjoyment, the globalization of ice cream, and novelties and brands. Ice Cream: Our Cool Obsession is guest curated by Suzan D. Friedlander, Historian and Museum Consultant. The exhibition includes loans from Baskin Robbins, Ben & Jerry’s, Carvel/Haagen-Dazs, Schwan’s, Friendly’s, Dairy Queen, Stewart’s, Hanford Mills Museum, Strong Museum of Play, New York Historical Society, Library of Congress; and many private lenders.

The Farmers’ Museum is located on 5775 State Hwy. 80, Lake Road, in Cooperstown, New York. Admission is $11 for adults, $9.50 for visitors age 65 and over, and $5 for children age 7 to 12; children 6 and under and members are admitted free. Reduced price combination admission tickets that include the Fenimore Art Museum and The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum are also available. The museum is open to the public daily from April 1 through October 31, with special events throughout the year. For more information call 1-888-547-1450 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org.