Nature’s Surprises: The Coudersport Ice Mine and Morris Arboretum

(00:00:00) We begin in Potter County with Gary M. Buchsen, whose family owns and operates the Coudersport Ice Mine — a geological anomaly that has fascinated visitors for more than a century. Discovered in 1894 by silver prospector Billy O’Neill, the Ice Mine produces ice in the spring and summer, then melts in the fall and winter, thanks to a rare rock formation that traps and releases cold air. After decades of closure and disrepair, Gary’s parents, Gary and Diana Buchsen, restored the site and reopened it in 2014. Today, the Ice Mine draws visitors from nearly every state and dozens of countries, offering a glimpse into one of Pennsylvania’s most unusual natural phenomena. (00:22:24) Then we head southeast to Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood to visit the Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania, a 92‑acre public garden and living history museum. Once a private estate and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Arboretum blends horticulture, research, and environmental education. With its sweeping landscapes, conservation work, and commitment to public engagement, it stands as one of the region’s most treasured green spaces. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.