Little known tales from Nova Scotia's past

Local historian Harry Chapman has released his 11th book, titled Stories from Nova Scotia's Past.

The book is a collection of 30 previously-written articles Chapman has published over the last five years.

He, along with the other members of the Dartmouth Historical Association, thought they'd branch out a bit with this latest work.

"We've done so many themes on Dartmouth, we thought we should expand our view to the rest of the province," Chapman said at a book signing held last week at the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.

The book features stories from Baddeck, Pictou, Lockport and many other towns throughout the province, including local stories on Dartmouth's ice harvest, the Macdonald Bridge, the Halifax Public Gardens and the tragic 1842 story from Westphal of the Babes in the Woods.

"There's a lot of history in the little towns around the province," said Chapman. "And they are too little know."

The book also features stories on the expulsion of the Acadians in Grand Pre, the restoration of St. John's Church in Lunenburg and the stories of many prominent Nova Scotians from the past, such as Mona Parsons and Thomas Haliburton.

Stories from Nova Scotia's Past is the 14th book published by the Dartmouth Historical Association and can be purchased at various locations in the province. Locally it can be found at Chapters, Fisher's Stationery on Portland Street and the Dartmouth Heritage Museum at 26 Newcastle St. The cost is $20.

lmckay@hfxnews.ca