Last week, I meandered over to Two Rivers, Wisconsin, birthplace to the ice cream sundae. We arrived at the Historic Washington House Museum and Ice Cream Parlor at noon, just in time to have ice cream for lunch!
The Washington House is not the original place where the first sundae was served in 1881, but the original bar is in the building, which also features artifacts from that time, up to more modern times. A more modern parlor in a separate room offers the creamy confection to hungry travelers today.
We were met by a little girl who seemed to be related to the parlor manager. As she stood next to the counter, hugging her fluffy teddy bear, she gave us recommendations for the best flavors, extolling the virtues of each.
She tried to talk me into strawberry ice cream, but once I saw they had coconut, I begged her permission to have that instead. She graciously granted my request, so my lunch consisted of Coconut Joy ice cream (with coconut flakes, chocolate chunks and almonds), topped with hot fudge sauce.
OMG, so good! Sated, we then toured the rest of the building, which houses different historic collections of clothing, clowns, typewriters, etc. A film crew from Chicago was interviewing a man who was dressed in a soda jerk uniform behind the original bar as we left. I took his photo between takes, and he gave me a wave and a big smile. One of the historical volunteer ladies told me that several television stations had been to the parlor recently to do stories. I guess it’s that time of year.
Although some other towns make rival claims for the origin of the sundae, the place in Two Rivers is the only one recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Read here and here for more info.
Marie's Meanderings 
I miss old fashioned ice cream parlors. In lil red dot, we used to have one in 1960s by Magnolia ice cream. I think it closed in 1970s. Now we have modern ones like Ben & Jerry or Udders. It is sterile in that no one dresses in old style but black t shirts and scoop into paper cups or wafer bowls or cones. People pop in, buy and go off. I remember those old fashioned root beer floats that my mum recreated for me. These days with scary high sugar intake and threats of diabetes, no one sells root beer floats. Sundaes are served at McDonalds only.
Yes, those old-fashioned parlors were fun. About the closest we have here is Coldstone Creamery. The servers will sing if you give them a tip! It’s nice that they are preserving the past in Two Rivers, WI.