Boston Bits ~ Insiders’ Tips -- our monthly journal of things Bostonian, to give Boston Your Way site visitors a sense of our city.

Our holiday gift from Halifax
The Christmas tree that illuminates the Prudential Center comes from the citizens of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who faithfully send thanks to Boston every year for coming to their aid after a massive explosion of a French munitions ship in their harbor devastated their city in 1917.

Thousands of homes were destroyed; almost two thousand people, killed. As soon as Boston got word of the disaster, it sent relief, continued to do so throughout the crisis. Read about this amazing historic event. http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/AtoZ/HalExpl.html

Some more fun Boston Firsts
Of course, you know that Boston opened the first school in the country. And library. But, did you know…

The first aerial photo in the United States was taken in Boston in 1860. It is a magnificent shot of pre-Civil War downtown, specifically the Franklin and Federal Street district behind today’s Macy’s, before the Great Fire of 1872 obliterated the area.

Boston appointed the country’s first official censor in 1662. Known for its “banned in Boston” reputation, the city maintained the office until 1975.

The charming Christmas tradition, caroling from house to house, began here in Boston in 1902 on Beacon Hill. The first Christmas card was printed in Boston, in 1975.

For the Second-hand Rose in all of us
For fashionistas on a budget, Boston has several great consignment shops. There is an excellent selection of almost-new designer goods at The Closet on Newbury Street and at Second Time Around, on both Newbury and Charles streets.

For those who prefer recycled clothes in their faded glory, the best place to shop is The Garment District, on Portland Street in Cambridge, and its downstairs neighbor, Dollar-A-Pound. God knows where all that graying flannel comes from, but there it is – heaps and heaps of it on the floor, ready for picking. What local college alum does not feel nostalgic for those Saturday mornings spent loading up on denim and taffeta. Today, however, you must pay $1.50 for a lb. for such treasure.

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