Collection of seventeen (17) large albumen stereoviews documenting the St. Paul Ice Festival, documenting the monumental ice architecture and sculptures. 

Photographed by Henry Hamilton Bennett of Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, he documented the first three iterations of the festival in 1886, 1887, and 1888, publishing his views in 1888. Each presented on Bennett's charming illustrated yellow mount with his imprint, series, and view titles. Complete list of views included below. 

An outstanding and unusually comprehensive photographic archive recording one of the most ambitious civic spectacles of the American Gilded Age. Conceived in 1886 in response to East Coast journalists who disparaged Saint Paul as "another Siberia, unfit for human habitation," the city answered by constructing massive, multi-story medieval fortresses carved entirely from tons of clear Minnesota lake ice. 

Because these ephemeral architectural marvels melted away with each spring thaw, contemporary stereoviews remain the definitive three-dimensional visual record of these triumphs of 19th-century winter engineering and Minnesota community pride.

Views include:

1. 1565 Royal family Equipages leaving the Palace.

Stunning view of a multi-story medieval-style castle with a bustling crowd outside the walls. 

2. 1520. Main entrance to Palace.

A horse-drawn sleigh posed at the entrance emphasizes the gargantuan scale of the gate and walls. 

3. 1514. An Elk team. 

4. 1536. Looking in at Main Entrance to the Palace. 

5.  1518. Ice figures of a Buffalo. 

6. 1570. Windsor Toboggan Club Float. 

7. 1516. North side of the Palace. 

8. 1542. Indian Family on Ice, Night scene. 

An arresting view showing one of the many sculptures illuminated at night under the full moon. 

9. 1568. Sioux Indians at Carnival, A Brave with Bow and Arrow. 

A Native American man poses in indigenous dress in front of two tipis. 

10. 1557. Main entrance to the Palace grounds. 

11. 1512. "Bouncing" an instantaneous view. 

An excellent action shot of a young man being tossed into the air by his fellow revelers. 

12. 1558. Palace from Toboggan slide. 

13. 1564. Waiting for the Royal family at entrance to Palace. 

14. 1522. Statue of the Gladiator and entrance to palace. 

15. 1563. Royal Family Equipages in street parade. 

16. 1561. Looking straight up through the Main tower. 

An unusual view investigating the internal architecture of the impressive tower. 

17. 1550. Looking in at West entrance, by Electric light. 

A stunning view highlighting the innovative illuminations used by the Carnival. 

[St. Paul Winter Carnival, Ice Palace, Saint Paul Minnesota, Ice Architecture, Gilded Age, Winter Carnivals, Snowshoe Club, Parades, Sleighs, E.A. Zimmerman, T.W. Ingersoll, Stereoviews, Minnesota History, 1880s Photography]

Very good overall condition. The albumen prints display warm tones with strong contrast and clear definition. Mounts remain sturdy with only minor expected handling wear, edge toning, and light surface rubbing consistent with age.