Ceremony for Halifax Explosion Remembrance Book

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic was presented with the Halifax Explosion Remembrance Book today, Sept. 17, at a ceremony in Halifax. Alan Abraham, vice-chair of the Halifax Foundation, made the presentation to Michael Murray, director of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

The Remembrance Book contains a list of the 1,951 people who died as a result of the 1917 explosion. In addition to the names, ages, local residential addresses at the time of the explosion and burial sites are also listed.

During the dedication and presentation ceremony, Mr. Murray installed the book as a permanent feature in the museum's exhibit, Halifax Wrecked: The Story of the Halifax Explosion.

"The Remembrance Book is a fitting addition to our exhibit and complements the displays we have here," said Mr. Murray. "It puts a personal face on the disaster that became a defining moment for the people of Halifax."

The Halifax Foundation's research co-ordinating committee began working on the project in 2001. Today's ceremony is a culmination of the efforts spearheaded by former Halifax Mayor and chair of the Halifax Foundation, Edmund Morris.

The Halifax Foundation is a charitable organization formed to support endeavours in arts, culture and heritage that primarily benefit the people of Halifax Regional Municipality.

Brian Cuthbertson, research-committee chair, said the research undertaken was comprehensive and thorough and resulted in a truly defensible list.

A searchable database will also be available through Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management in the following months.

"The creation of the Remembrance Book is a project that bears the unmistakable influence of Edmund Morris and the foundation is most pleased and proud to dedicate this event to him," said Alan Abraham.