Despite the fact that the 1890s icebox was out of date by 1935, McCormick kept his grandfather Medill’s old-fashioned refrigerator.  A huge block of ice, set inside this old-fashioned icebox kept the food cold.  When the ice melted, the water dripped into a pan, which had to be emptied 3 times a day.  The zinc-lined wooden doors absorbed the coldness from the ice and kept the food cold long after the block of ice had melted.  McCormick, however, kept his food cold in his General Electric refrigerator, which was custom-built into the south wall of the kitchen.   The servants used the mirror, which is set into the middle of the refrigerator, to check to make sure their hair and hats were perfect before being seen by any of the guests or family members.

Many other kitchen gadgets, which reflect the latest technology for the 1930s, are dispersed throughout this room including an electric dishwasher, a gas range, an electric mixer and a toaster, which could only toast one side of the bread at a time.

The most spectacular artifact in this kitchen is the ice cube maker.  General Electric custom built this gas-powered freezer for Colonel McCormick.  It contains 20 ice cubes trays that can make up to 688 ice cubes at a time.   McCormick always wanted plenty of ice for his guests’ drinks.