ROYERSFORD PA – Think cool. Think creamy. In Royersford, both are often associated with Nelson’s Dairy and Nelson’s Ice Cream. Their history in the borough, and their sweet impact on local life, is a topic of the next local history program at the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.
The program covers Ellis A. Nelson’s 1914 start in the dairy business, the opening of Nelson’s Dairy in 1923 and its growth, and the launch of its ice cream sales in 1935. Presented by David and Patrick Nelson, and society Treasurer Dave Willauer, the discussion is scheduled for Sept. 18 (2024; Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. at the Scoupe deVille Ice Cream Parlor, 460 N. Lewis Rd.
The event is free to attend and open to the public. Scoupe deVille represents a change to the program’s earlier announced location.
A long-time fixture in the borough
Founder Ellis Nelson initially sold milk door-to-door, and then successfully expanded his business during the Great Depression of 1929-’41. That feat was an otherwise unimaginable accomplishment during what is described by the Federal Reserve as “the longest and deepest downturn in the history of the United States and the modern industrial economy.”
Donald Nelson enabled the dairy to make a transition to ice cream production. Nelson’s Ice Cream inventory list contained more than 600 different items, and was sold up to 100 miles away, and as close as Royersford’s former Lakeview Amusement Park. At one point Nelson’s was “processing 5,000 gallons of milk a day,” according to the society’s September 2024 newsletter.
“The company remained in the Nelson family until its name, customer base, and recipes were sold in 2014,” the newsletter adds. Its ice cream production in Royersford ceased during 2018, and the factory was razed earlier this year.
Family remembrances, and insider ‘scoops’
The discussion will include family remembrances, the inside story of ice cream production, and an opportunity for questions-and-answers. And its location is “perfect,” the newsletter notes, thanks to society business member Jeff West and Scoupe deVille.
It’s not the first time West and Scoupe deVille have offered assistance to the society. They also sponsored a July 24 evening fund-raiser “to help replenish budgetary funds that were used to pay for additional costs associated with (its) Farmhouse porch project.” The ice cream parlor donated $600 to the effort, the newsletter states.
The non-profit society, located at 526 Main St, is comprised of volunteers who operate its “museum of artifacts, print materials, and other research items that are connected to the boroughs of Spring City and Royersford.”
It conducts entertaining and educational programs throughout the year. Its regular operating hours are Sundays from 1-3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the society at 610-948-7127 or send an e-mail to info@sfahs.com.
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
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