Centre Acadien, Université Sainte-Anne

Winter preparations – In the early 20th century, winter preparations were an integral part of life in Nova Scotia. Readying the household for long and cold winters required a year-round effort by the entire family. Each season brought various chores for the family to perform.

In the spring, gardens were planted and fish were salted. In summer, women filled storage shelves with jars of jams and jellies made from the various berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, that they hand-picked with the help of their children.

Without doubt, the most significant event of the year was the fall harvest. In addition to the storage of apples, cellars and basements were filled with salted meat and various vegetables, including potatoes, cabbages, turnips, carrots, beets, and squash.

Years ago, it was the tradition for young adolescents to steal assortments of vegetables from others’ gardens on Halloween night. Round vegetables were especially sought after, as the aim was to open a victim’s door, roll a cabbage or a pumpkin inside, and run with all your might while the property owner chased you away. On other occasions, these tricksters would simply eat the stolen goods – some even travelled with a saltshaker in their pockets.

Winter nights were often spent gathered around the kitchen stove, as it was the main source of heat. Many families cut next year’s firewood during winter. Early in the morning, men would head out into the forest with a team of oxen and a bobsled, returning later in the day carrying large loads of logs. When a considerable number of logs was accumulated, they were cut into stove-length pieces with the help of a travelling sawmill, and thereafter chopped into firewood by men and women. Children often helped stack them into sheds.

The featured photo shows women and men preparing their yearly supply of firewood in l’Anse à l’ours, NS.

Topic: Community Life

Date: [ca. 1920]

Reference: Harold Robichaud Collection Centre Acadien Series A, photo 55

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