By: Anne S.K. Turkos
Scooping ice cream at the Dairy in Turner Hall, The Terrapin 1964
The University of Maryland began producing its own ice cream in 1924. The dairy science faculty originally created this award-winning treat, which is currently manufactured by the bakery staff of the university’s Dining Services.
Turner Hall on Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) was the first home to the ice cream manufacturing operation. By 1926, two years after production began, 75% of the Dairy’s summer customers requested a scoop, in addition to their purchases of milk, butter, and cottage cheese.
Three children walking out of Turner Lab carrying ice cream, Diamondback Photo Morgue, acc. 2008-51, box 38
UMD’s ice cream tradition flourished under the guidance of faculty member Wendell Arbuckle, who earned the name “Mr. Ice Cream” for his research on the science behind the frozen treat and development of exotic flavors such as pink grapefruit, carrot, sweet potato, and rhubarb. Arbuckle also wrote many articles and books on ice cream, and his standard textbook on the treat was widely used in classroom instruction.
Students, faculty, staff, and family members of all ages enjoyed the fruits of Arbuckle’s labor and the Dairy was often a busy place, filled to the brim with people!
(L) People eating ice-cream outside Turner Hall, 1965, University AlbUM / (R) Men & Women Eating Ice-Cream, circa 1940-1960, Jonas Rappeport collection, box 2
(L) Randy White and Betty Jo Grove eating ice cream, 1973, Photo Services photographs / (R) Making sundaes in Turner Hall, 1964, The Terrapin 1964.
In April 2014, the Dairy moved its operations to the Stamp Student Union, adjacent to the food court. Today, Dining Services continues the university’s ice cream tradition by creating various specialty flavors like 1856; Sasho’s Crew Crunch; Fear the Turtle; Brenda’s Peanut Butter Frese; Terpresso; Kermit’s Kiss; and Cathy Reese’s Victory Swirl in addition to long-standing favorites like vanilla, cookies and cream, and mint chocolate chip.
Stop by the Stamp to get a cone, cup, sundae, milkshake, or half-gallon to take home, or make arrangements for an awesome ice cream social!
Anne S.K. Turkos is the University Archivist Emerita for the University of Maryland and a proud honorary member of the M Club. She has been a part of the staff of the UMD Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives since January 1985. Prior to her retirement in July 2017, she worked with campus departments and units, student groups, and alumni to transfer, preserve, and make available permanent university records. She continues to support the Archives through her work on special projects and fundraising. Follow Anne on X (formerly Twitter) at @AnneTurkos.
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