Scooping up History: Canada’s Historic Ice Cream Spots

This year’s Historic Places Days theme is “Food and Garden Experiences,” and what better way to celebrate food than by highlighting some of Canada’s historic ice cream sites!

The history of ice cream dates back hundreds of years, beginning in England and eventually spreading to Canada. According to Douglas Goff, who teaches an annual ice cream course at the University of Guelph, North American ice cream production started in 1851, rooted in Ontario’s dairy industry. In 1893, William Neilson popularized it by becoming Ontario’s first wholesale ice cream maker in Toronto, using only a hand-cranked freezer for his first batch.

These historic places and stories provide a delightful glimpse into Canada’s culinary history. This summer, indulge in delicious ice cream at these iconic locations and celebrate the sweet history that has delighted Canadians for generations!


Sources: University of Guelph Food Science dept; Prof. Douglas Goff; Celebrating 100 Years at the College of Ice Cream Patricia Bowley

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Peterborough, Ontario to Guelph, Ontario

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