CHIPPEWAFFLE, YOU SAY? A collaboration sparked by the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce's leadership program has led to the creation of the sweet treat of the summer (or whenever the limited edition flavor runs out): the Chippewaffle ice cream. (Chippewa Valley Museum ice cream parlor sign, pictured)

Here’s the scoop: One of the Chippewa Valley’s best-kept secrets can be found in the woods of Carson Park.

No, it’s not some off-the-beaten-path treasure hunt (though, if anyone has a map to some hidden local treasure, let me know), but it is partially obstructed by the historic Carson Park baseball stadium.

If you walk or drive around and behind the stadium, just beyond the pair of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, you’ll find the Chippewa Valley Museum (1204 E. Half Moon Dr., Eau Claire). Inside, the sweet secret lies – a vintage-inspired ice cream parlor.

The Museum is a gem all its own, but surprisingly, many aren’t aware of its vintage-inspired ice cream parlor. There, red-and-white booths and bar stools, checkered flooring and old-school candies await, with a selection of ice cream for all palettes. 

As of this June, a brand-new limited edition flavor from the area’s own Olson’s Ice Cream is now up for grabs – with a name voted on and selected by locals via social media: Chippewaffle.

Historic photographs of local scenes and vintage scoopers adorn the ice cream parlor's walls – the parlor located inside the Museum's main entrance, to the right – at the Chippewa Valley Museum (1204 E. Half Moon Dr., Eau Claire).

Chippewaffle (pictured), a limited edition flavor created by Olson's Ice Cream for the Chippewa Valley Museum (and sweet-toothed locals), is now available at the Museum and Olson's two locations.

Chippewaffle, with a base of vanilla Olson’s Ice Cream, is swirled with caramel and chocolate-covered waffle cone bits, inspired in part by the iconic Drumstick.

The collaboration between the Museum and Olson’s Ice Cream came to life over the past several months, sparked by a program through the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce. (In the name of transparency, yours truly was part of that program, and got to be one of the first to enjoy the delectable new ice cream flavor.)

The owners of Olson’s Ice Cream, Dan and Linda Hunt – alongside their son Jeremy – have fond personal memories of the Chippewa Valley Museum. Dan recalled school field trips his children  would take there; his brother-in-law, Mike Devine, spent many years as a tour guide at the Museum’s logging camp.

When approached by members of the chamber’s Leadership Eau Claire program – to pitch a collaboration between the Museum and Olson’s – the Hunt family agreed.

“The community has supported us and made us a local favorite and attraction for over 80 years now,” Dan said. “Like Olson’s, the Museum is part of our great community heritage of which we are proud to support.”

Two-scoop cones or dishes comes out to just $3 at the ice cream parlor. Size up to a three-scoop for just $.75 more. 

Chips and candy – including nostalgic treats like cow tails, candy necklaces and buttons, moon pies and more – are also available, alongside sundaes, sodas and non-dairy treats.

The sweetest part of that collaboration may go to Chippewaffle and all its caramely, chocolatey goodness, but Olson’s Ice Cream took it further: the local business is also contributing to the creation of way-finding signage to the Museum.

This months-long process will result in three signs placed at either entrance to Carson Park as well as the turn-off road which guides folks (if you see it; the current aging signage is brown, blending into the park's wooded setting) behind the Carson Park baseball stadium and, ultimately, the Museum and its ice cream parlor.

As the community – and country – gears up for Fourth of July celebrations, which also mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, all can get their fill of local history and sweet scoops at the Chippewa Valley Museum.

Visit the Chippewa Valley Museum ice cream parlor, open 1-5pm from Wednesday-Sunday, at 1204 E. Half Moon Dr., Eau Claire • The rest of the museum and its numerous exhibits can be enjoyed from Tuesday-Sunday, varying hours • Keep up with the Chippewa Valley Museum on social media for real-time updates and announcements • Olson's Ice Cream operates two locations: 611 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls; 80 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire