Friday, July 30, 2010 October 25, 1886 THINKING GREEN IN 1886 In October of 1886 most of the parishioners of the Roman Catholic Cathedral Parish (now Basilica) who were farmers on the outskirts of the town (St. John’s) were carrying into the town, on their sleighs and carts, small tress that they were delivering for plantation in the garden of the Mercy Convent. The parishioners were responding to a request from Bishop Michael Francis Howley, Bishop of St. John’s, made on October 25, 1896 that “The farmers are requested when coming to town to bring in a few small trees about 10 – 12 feet high for plantation in the garden of the Mercy Convent.” (Source: Publications Book, October 25, 1896) There is now little evidence of "The Garden.” The area that Bishop Howley was referring too eventually became what used to be the children's play ground, a small parcel of land between the rail and the entrance to what is now the Gathering Place. Some of the trees are still standing. The project is one of the earliest documented examples of a planned beautification project in the old city. Thinking green in 1886!! For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca Other “Archival Moments” will be posted at this site on a regular weekly basis. If you have friends or colleagues who would like to receive these "archival moments" please send us their e mail address or forward this moment to them from your desk!! Larry Dohey Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s P.O. Box 1363 St. John’s, NL A1C 5M3 709-726-3660 E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com We hope that you have enjoyed this archival moment.