Go Outside With the Nova Scotia to Boston Christmas Tree

Photo published with permission of Nova Scotia Come to Life

During my teen years we lived in north end Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the centre of the area that was destroyed by the explosion that occured when two ships collided in the harbour on Dec 6 1917. I remember the stories the older folks used to tell of that event. They were horrific. I also remember them speaking very fondly of Boston, a city that was very quick to come to our aid after the explosion, sending much needed supplies and money. The people of Halifax and all of Nova Scotia have never forgotten this kindness.

Today, as a lasting symbol of our appreciation for this much needed assistance, the province sends a Christmas tree to Boston each year. The tree is selected with great care by a person whose job it is to travel around the province and find the perfect tree and ask the owner of the property the tree is on to donate it.

This year the tree came from the property of Floyd and Elaine Shatford of Fox Point which is not far from where I live.The day it was cut was a great occasion and an opportunity for all the local school children to go outside for the morning, see it chopped down and learn the story of the explosion and why we send a tree to Boston each year. A living history lesson. You can see a video of the occasion on the Nova Scotia Come to Life blog

The photo above shows the Shatfords and their grandson Josh Shatford reaction as the tree lights up in Boston on December 3rd.

December Views

As a footnote: We have a dining room table made of chestnut. It must have been made in Nova Scotia during the period when chestnut tree groves were common and obviously, not long after the explosion. A piece on the underside of the table that cannot be seen is made of part of an old crate that has stamped on it: Massachusetts - Halifax Relief c/o Fred Parsons, Nova Scotia. If anyone knows more about this we would love to hear it.