Old Burying Ground
Old Burying Ground
4.5
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Established in 1749, this is Halifax's first cemetery.
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Neighbourhood: Downtown Halifax
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4.5
298 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
136
Average
34
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Stirling B
Ottawa, Canada764 contributions
July 2023
This is the oldest cemetery in Halifax and no doubt one of if not the oldest in Canada. Located in downtown it is surrounded by modern life yet the tombstones show their age and the names on many are faded. Nice to see that it has been preserved and not paved over by some developer.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilverOrlov
Bedford, Canada2,495 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Small old cemetery. A couple of months ago I couldn’t enter in because it was closed and some places, judging by the appearance, were undergoing restoration or cleaning, but now I was able to come in and take some pictures. It’s good when history, even in this form, is preserved and protected.
Written 5 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhillyTraveler
Philadelphia, PA45 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
Major General Robert Ross lies buried here, after being pickled in 129 gallons of Jamaican Rum. His body was to be returned to Ireland, in 1814. But the "H.M.S.Tonnant" was diverted elsewhere and he was interred at the Old Burying Ground. Here also, is the Welsford-Parker Monument dedicated to the Nova Scotian heroes of the Crimean War. Some of the interesting graves are epigraph on the Lawson children's tombstone and the Free Mason symbolism on Abner Stowell's tombstone. This small cemetery is a short walk uphill from the cruise ship. A tour guide is available in the cemetery for tours.
Hope this is helpful, and you enjoy your visit.
Hope this is helpful, and you enjoy your visit.
Written 21 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya v
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada9 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Tucked between the old churches and modern buildings The Old Burying Ground (also known as St. Paul's Church Cemetery) founded in 1749 is an historic cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is located at the intersection of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road in Downtown Halifax. So pretty much smack dab in the middle of downtown Halifax.
I have always had a fascination with history and old cemeteries (the older the better) and personally love taking a leisurely stroll back in time. Let me tell you that this one did not disappoint in that department. Every step I took was out of respect and reflection of days gone by. So many questions come to mind as you wander around looking at the various different headstones. The tombstones and burial sites here are from 1749-1843. So very very old. There's a whole lot of history packed beneath these stones - as in, thousands of bodies buried despite the far fewer tombstones you'll see above ground.
Time has not been gentle on most of these very old headstones.
Sadly a lot of the tombstones were vandalized or destroyed by hurricane Juan BUT It is great to know that now there is an effort to restore them. So As much as you want to DO NOT RUB headstones. This hobby defaces old markers, which equates to erasing historical records that may be important for genealogical research or other purposes.
While in Halifax I highly recommend visiting this old cemetery. It is an interesting place full of history of days gone by. As always I recommend bringing your camera and maybe trying to catch a few ghost on your visit :)
I have always had a fascination with history and old cemeteries (the older the better) and personally love taking a leisurely stroll back in time. Let me tell you that this one did not disappoint in that department. Every step I took was out of respect and reflection of days gone by. So many questions come to mind as you wander around looking at the various different headstones. The tombstones and burial sites here are from 1749-1843. So very very old. There's a whole lot of history packed beneath these stones - as in, thousands of bodies buried despite the far fewer tombstones you'll see above ground.
Time has not been gentle on most of these very old headstones.
Sadly a lot of the tombstones were vandalized or destroyed by hurricane Juan BUT It is great to know that now there is an effort to restore them. So As much as you want to DO NOT RUB headstones. This hobby defaces old markers, which equates to erasing historical records that may be important for genealogical research or other purposes.
While in Halifax I highly recommend visiting this old cemetery. It is an interesting place full of history of days gone by. As always I recommend bringing your camera and maybe trying to catch a few ghost on your visit :)
Written 4 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryljenn
Red Deer, Canada206 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
I remembered going to this graveyard when I was a kid doing a school field trip and on this visit to Halifax we visited it again. This will be on our “must do” while in Halifax list for years to come. We visited on a mild December day and spent a good 40 minutes just walking around looking at all the headstones. You could definitely spend more or less time here depending on how interested you are/how much time you have to spend. It is free entry but you may have to pay for street parking pending when you visit. There are a lot of very very old graves and they are interesting to check out. Some of them are so old you can’t even read what they say anymore. This would be a great outing for any age as long as you have good mobility. If you are in a wheelchair or have a stroller you will most likely have to stay on the gravel paths. Can not wait to visit again.
Written 28 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
London, Canada74 contributions
July 2022 • Couples
I have been in many cemetery’s because I just love them. This one is so interesting and absolutely amazing . This was the oldest one I have ever been in. So worth the walk through .
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kendot52
Denton, TX410 contributions
Oct 2019
If you're a history buff, this is an amazing place to spend some time. The first burial there was in 1749. Beautiful place to visit.
Written 5 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Sept 2019
It opened in 1749 and closed in 1844. During that time, 12,000 people were buried here but there are only 1,200 headstones. Some stones have been lost to the ravages of time and many souls were buried with no stones at all. So, for every headstone seen, there are probably 10 unknown graves'
Who is buried here? Some famous people include the British Major General (Robert Ross) who led the 1814 assault on our American White House and burned it to the ground. He was killed a few days later. But also, it is interesting to note that 4 Indians are buried here, as well as 167 Blacks (in unmarked graves) and the last marker is actually a gigantic arched Monument set in place in 1860.
The Monument to Weisford-Parker (one a Major, the other a Captain) is a Crimean War (1853-1856) victory memorial. These soldiers died in the war. The lion on top of the arch is standing: a lion standing is at war (reclining, it isn't).
Restoration of the earliest grave markers (circa 1749+) is in progress. During the summer, tour guides will assist visitors with respectful and careful looks at the old markers.
Who is buried here? Some famous people include the British Major General (Robert Ross) who led the 1814 assault on our American White House and burned it to the ground. He was killed a few days later. But also, it is interesting to note that 4 Indians are buried here, as well as 167 Blacks (in unmarked graves) and the last marker is actually a gigantic arched Monument set in place in 1860.
The Monument to Weisford-Parker (one a Major, the other a Captain) is a Crimean War (1853-1856) victory memorial. These soldiers died in the war. The lion on top of the arch is standing: a lion standing is at war (reclining, it isn't).
Restoration of the earliest grave markers (circa 1749+) is in progress. During the summer, tour guides will assist visitors with respectful and careful looks at the old markers.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill-Vancouver
Vancouver, Canada148 contributions
July 2019
quiet walk about ... interesting histories ... you are not alone when you are here!
So close to the waterfront.
So close to the waterfront.
Written 22 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlene351
Alpine, CA669 contributions
Aug 2019
We enjoy visiting cemeteries and reading about the history. Another great place to stop and say HI !
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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