A Festive Gathering in 1919
In December 1919, Boston’s Post Office Square hosted a unique Christmas celebration—for workhorses. Organized by the MSPCA, the event featured a tree decorated with corn and carrots, barrels of oats, and apples for the horses. Passersby helped chop carrots and feed the animals.
Parties Across America
Similar events took place in cities like Baltimore, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. Humane societies organized these parties to highlight the difficult lives of workhorses and encourage better treatment. Drivers were also provided with coffee and treats as they joined the celebrations.
Caring for Hardworking Horses
The events raised awareness of issues like overloading, injuries, and poor care. Horses were fed alfalfa, given engraved bridle decorations, and treated as vital partners in urban life. These gatherings showed the bond between people and the animals powering city economies.
The End of an Era
By the 1930s, as cars replaced workhorses, the parties began to decline. Yet, for decades, these festive gatherings served as a reminder of the vital role workhorses played in cities and the compassion they deserved.
In 1919, Boston’s Post Office Square hosted a Christmas party for workhorses, organized by the MSPCA. A tree decorated with corn, apples, and carrots stood at the center, while barrels of oats and chopped carrots fed the animals. Passersby joined in to help care for the… pic.twitter.com/PNPcbQVZy2
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