A few years ago (2006 to be exact) we commissioned local publisher Schiffer Publishing to help us create a book about Turkey Hill Dairy’s storied history (76 years and counting). The result was “Turkey Hill: A Family Vision.” It’s a 64-page illustrated account of our humble beginnings, our modern day successes, and everything in between.
Among the many topics covered in the book are:
The history of the land on which the Dairy is currently located- The story behind the Turkey Hill name
- How Armor Frey start Turkey Hill Dairy (and how his sons and grandson eventually took the Dairy to new levels)
- A photographic history of Turkey Hill advertising and the evolution of our packaging
- Descriptions of our milk, iced tea and ice cream production and home delivery (then and now)
- The story behind the Turkey Hill Minit Markets
- How Turkey Hill products are marketed
- The history of our herd of Giant Cows
- Some background about our ties to the Lancaster County community
The book is available for purchase over on the Schiffer Publishing website for $16.99, but we’ve decided to give away a few copies of it as this month’s prize (six comments will be chosen at random). Good luck!

If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
Sign me up for a copy. I’ve always wondered about the relationship between the Minit Markets and you guys (including why it’s spelled “Minit”).
Okay, I was thrilled to hear about the PSU creamery, but even more so to hear about the history of Turkey Hill on paper!! I can’t wait to read this book!! I hope you included a very cool time line from when it all began to now. I wonder if the very first flavors up until now were published, and how they picked the names back then. I wonder if people traded ice cream for other perishables back in the beginning. So many questions, so much excitement.
That’s great that the history of Turkey Hill is on paper. I can’t wait to read about it.
In my experience, it’s a terrific idea to write family history, much better than passing down oral history, since memory tends to fail. Wishing you much success with your publication! (Think talk shows!)
I was wondering if you ever have schools bring their kids into your factory for field trips. I remember, when I was young, we went to a Dairy farm for a field trip and it was pretty cool. Imagine how excited the kids would be to tour an ice cream factory and find out how Turkey Hill ice cream is made,,meet the giant cow and hopefully get a sample of the delicious ice cream!! I’d be signing up as a chaperone for each field trip there! lol
That sounds like a fun read. I can just see myself now with the book in one hand and a bowl of Skinny Minty in the other!!
CHRISTINA – On page 40 of the book is a copy of a list of our frozen delivery choices from March 1964. Back then we delivered ice cream (including pineapple and burnt almond) but we also delivered frozen foods like chicken corn soup, crab cakes and beef barbecue.
SUE – Unfortunately the Dairy and ice cream manufacturing areas aren’t set up for public tours. At least not yet!
I would be greatly interested in the history of the best ice cream since I discovered it many years ago. I will keep my fingers crossed.
I love history, its always been my favorite subject. I find it very stimulating, and I would love to know more about Lancaster. I suggested that Turkey Hill have a tour of thier dairy and that couldn’t be done. So I guess the book is the next best thing, that is next to eating your ice cream! Ice cream does have a lot of history and its nice to know that you would like to share it.
Hi T.H.T.! I have a book titled “Better Than Homemade” which is a book that devotes about 3 pages on the history of several different packaged commercial food products. How nice to see an entire book that focuses on a specific brand. Looks like it is much more personalized. Congratulations T.H.T. for yet another wonderful idea.
What a nice idea! I would love to read the book. It is always interesting to me how businesses develop and anything on family sounds good. Turkey Hill ice cream is the best!
I would love a copy of the book. I can’t think of another dairy that is of such historical interest.
The winning prize should be :
A visit to the Creamery in Happy Valley…… And :Since we can ,all,do that….. We are all winners ! !
What a great way to cherish the memories of the best tasting ice cream on the planet.
a book like this would make a good addition to my library and it would be a delicious addition
I recieved this book last Christmas as a gift from my wife (she gave me a Turkey Hill themed Christmas). It’s a great piece of memorabilia and a good read.
I like any Ice Cream as long as it’s Turkey Hill. Ha.
Pls start making Butter Brickle again.
[...] Minit Markets; How turkey hill products … On page 40 of the book is a copy of a list of our …http://icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com/index.php/2007/09/12/turkey-hill-the-book/FEBRUARY 14TH ONCE, NEVER AGAIN Presented within the list below and every category available, are [...]