The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax Hotel received an inquiry from Bill Cummins; he has copies of the Nova Scotian menus from May 18, 1939. After speaking with Mr. Cummins, we’ve learned a lot behind the history of these menus and the Nova Scotian’s connection to the Royal Family.
On May 18, 1939 King George VI visited Canada with his wife, Queen Mother Elizabeth (the parents of our present Queen Elisabeth II). The King and Queen were scheduled to tour Canada via train and stay at Canadian Pacific Railway Hotels across the country. The first stop was in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Nova Scotian Hotel, now known at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel. In order of their arrival, the hotel honoured the Royals with a commemorative menu. The Nova Scotian Hotel printed these menus for the occasion.
Herbert E. Dowling
Mr. Cummins is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia where he used to live in the Hydrostone area of the North End. Mr. Cummins Grandfather, Herbert E. Dowling was born in Halifax and served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1928 to 1946. Mr. Dowling had a keen interested in the Royal Family and was at the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 when he was serving in the Navy. Mr. Cummins was able to recover the menus when he was given the menus as they were going to be thrown in the garbage.
Click here to view menu pages on Facebook or view below.
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The Westin Nova Scotian Halifax Hotel is one of the original railway hotels in Canada and is over 81 years old. Visit us online to find out more about our heritage hotel or to make a booking.
at 11:13 Food Tour Info
We will be delighted to share the history and menus of the old Nova Scotian Hotel on our food tours this summer as we pass by - - this is great culinary history! - www.localtastingtours.com