Historic Cemetery Recognized as Provincial Heritage Property

An important piece of local heritage was added to the Registry of Provincial Heritage Properties at a public ceremony in Port Medway, Queens Co., today, Aug. 8. A plaque was unveiled at the Old Port Medway Cemetery to mark its official addition to the registry.

"Historic places are important pieces of the rich and varied mosaic that is our unique heritage," said John MacDonell, acting Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Heritage, and acting Minister Responsible for the Heritage Property Act. "Properties such as the Old Port Medway Cemetery connect us to the people and events that shaped Nova Scotia's history."

Members of the community and the Port Medway Cemeteries Committee were on hand for the official unveiling of the plaque commemorating the designation. The committee worked diligently to have the cemetery's heritage significance recognized by the province.

"The cemetery is a direct link to the past that the committee wants to preserve for future generations," said committee member Robert Whitelaw. "Its registration as a provincial heritage property will increase the profile and awareness of this significant property to residents of the province and beyond."

The cemetery chronicles Port Medway's unique history. The oldest headstone is for Samuel Mack, a wealthy merchant who died in 1783. Mr. Mack's fortune, made from the lumber industry, was passed down from generation to generation in his family. One of his heirs, E. D. Davison, was the founder of both the E.D. Davison Mill dynasty and the town of Bridgewater.

The history of prominent local families like the Cohoons, Fosters, Parks and Morines are also engraved on the headstones. Many depict that a number of sons were claimed by the sea, or buried in foreign lands, mostly the West Indies. A slab marks the resting place of Alexander Dunlap, first magistrate of the village.

The Port Medway Cemeteries Committee will receive support from the Heritage Grants Program of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage to continue conservation work at the site. The cemetery has been the final resting place of the people of Port Medway since 1783 and includes many unique monuments and examples of rare trees, such as Basswood and Linden.

The Old Port Medway Cemetery was added to the list of 272 heritage properties registered by the province to date. All have heritage value, and contribute to an understanding of the Nova Scotian identity and sense of place. The list includes houses, bridges, barns, churches, factories, schools, lighthouses, military installations, and cemeteries.

More information about heritage properties in Nova Scotia is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/heritage_heritageproperty.asp .