old burying ground

So old an they have staff there to help you find people you are looking for and it is also hard to park there one must walk or bus there

This is a wonderfully kept cemetery quietly packed full of history. It sits silently amid the hustle and bustle of town beckoning passersby to take a break from the monotony of daily life to spend some time communing with history. As soon as you step through the front gates, if you keep an open mind and look for it, ancient history will find you. The winter of 1749 was a particularly harsh one for Halifax, especially with a typhoid epidemic that claimed over 1000 settlers lives and sent them as permanent residents to the Old Burying Ground that year. The cemetery originally started as a mere one acre, but later had to be enlarged to 2.5 acres to accommodate all the bodies being sent here. It remained in operation until 1844.Of particular note are the Lawson Children stone dated 1784 and the Buckley Monument dated 1796. The Lawson Children stone depicts trumpeting angels and memorializes the 6 Lawson children plus the many other Halifax children who never lived to adulthood. The Buckley Monument depicts Adam and Eve on Judgement Day in the Garden of Eden. It is significant because the Adam and Eve motif was a very common Scottish grave art and believed to be one of only 2 Scottish grave markers from the 1800's known to be in North America to this day.

Located at the base of Spring Garden Rd (lots of shopping around). Spend an hour wondering reading the head stones and imagining a time long ago. Apparently, a group of Victorian women took offence to the Lion's testacies and had them removed (look up as you walk under). Great spot to sit and ponder and write. Also across the street is Saint Mary's Catholic Basilica.

I finally made a point of visiting this cemetery as it has been intriguing me for awhile. The old stones hold a unique beauty and will transport you back to the beginning of Halifax in 1749. You will find signs to tell you about the history and the symbols on the stones. I was surprised to find the grave of Major General Robert Ross there, well known for burning the White House during the War of 1812.Check out the website on the Old Burying Ground for interesting information: http://oldburyingground.ca/history.phpThis is a small cemetery so won't require a lot of time to have a look around.

Most of my Halifax visits took place mid-Winter and this history buff and amateur photographer always looked longingly through the gates of The Old Burying Ground. This Summer, with time on my hands in the area (in the downtown core) I noticed, not only were the gates wide open, but guided tours being given. Very well informed guides ably answered questions, and provided interesting historical anecdotes and tidbits. It's as if the doors to Canadian history were flung wide open to you, and you have only to enter.I visited another time or two, armed with my camera. This place, in the heart of the city, clothed in moss, and set among lush foliage, is a little refuge, waiting for you to commemorate it in your own, unique way. Gorgeous examples of past artisans skills abound: early death's heads, innocent, chubby-cheeked cherubs, detailed flowers, hearts and scrolls, deep, intricate hand carving. No charge for the tours, though donations are accepted (no pressure there, either). I will return.

Right in the centre of downtown, this is an interesting place from which to get a taste or the history of Nova Scotia. Plenty of old graves to observe.

I enjoyed the many interesting headstones here, dating back to the 1700's. It is always fascinating to me to read them and try to figure out the relationships. Worth a visit.

The first burial here was over 260 years ago and the last burial was 95 years later. Information boards dot the cemetery mentioning some of the prominent people buried here. Like all old cemeteries the weather has got at the headstones but if you have the time it is worth trying to decipher some of them. Well looked after.

I could have spent hours here, wandering around, looking and reading the headstones, imagining what their life must have been like! Not very entertaining for kids, but for anyone who enjoys history, a must see

Old historic graveyard in the heart of the city. Multiple sign in English and French explain some of the history and detail some that are buried within.

I love old graveyards - seeing the old names, when they lived and died, and the sometimes extremely bizarre decorations on the tombstones. Very quiet, all visitors when we were there were treating the dead with the respect they deserve.

Cemeteries are not for everyone, but this one is very interesting, especially the art on the grave markers. If you like, there is a guide who can give you a short but informative tour.

I am one of those people who like to wander around old grave yards, ghoulish to some but interesting to many others. I had an aunt come to visit who was a history buff and offered to take her there and she was quite clear that at her age (82) she had no desire to walk around and see what is in her future. I like to wander around and think about the lives of persons in that era. Some of the epitaphs on the stones gives you a peek at the past. A few of the graves represent those people who died in the Halifax Explosion.There is a grave yard in Sackville, which is about a 30 minute drive from the city that has many of the victims of the Titanic and of different wars.

Like the name says it's an old burying ground, so it's a cemetery. except for a few benches, some monuments and old trees, you will see old tombstones ( notables , a few militaries and regular civilians , many of those died of the typhoid fever epidemic ). It's probably the oldest cemetery in Halifax. It was created in 1749, it's now more then 2 acres. Lots of ground to cover. Note that it's best to visit in a very hot day, since you'll have lots of shaded area to protect you from the sun. It's free , easy to access, I would recommend to anyone who is eager to learn more about the culture of Halifax and their heritage (historic site).

When we visited in August 2014 a young tour guide approached us to let us know that should we like a tour (or simply to have some questions answered) she was available. There are many old gravestones here, some of which are from the social elite of that bygone era. Sadly there are also many graves for children. It is a peaceful place to take a break from a walking tour of Halifax.