Every sight has a story to tell

Why is Vivekananda Museum called the Ice House of Madras? | Chennai

In the 1800s, the British in Chennai had no way to cool down during Indian summers. The many layers of their clothes didn’t help either. But an enterprising American found a way for the British to stay cool. He sent them ice. But how did ice survive a journey from America to Chennai’s Vivekananda House or the Ice House? This is that hot story.

How did the British deal with the unrelenting heat of Indian summers in the 1800s? This is the story of an enterprising young American and his successful venture that brought much joy and relief to the British in India. This short video takes you to an unusual building at the Marina beach in Chennai – the Vivekanandar Illam

Swami Vivekananda 1893 Scanned Image: Thomas Harrison Public Domain Swami Vivekananda Chennai 1897, Anonymous, Public Domain 

The Madras Ice House (1880s) on the Marina; photograph probably by John Nicholas, who ran the business ‘Nicholas Brothers in Madras’ in 1861–1905. Source: British Library, www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/s/019pho0000472s1u00011000.html

Frederic Tudor-facingright pre1864 Public Domain Picture of Ice Harvesting near Blue Tent, California https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Tent,_California Public Domain 

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