Hello From Nova Scotia - Part 6 - The Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Hello From Nova Scotia - Part 6: The Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour
Discovering History with Alan Melanson
After a day filled with exploration and a delightful dinner at the Garrison House, I was ready for one final adventure: the renowned Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour. At precisely 9:15 pm, I arrived at the south entrance of Fort Anne, right across from my bed and breakfast, where local historian and expert guide, Alan Melanson, awaited. About 15 enthusiasts from places like North Carolina, California, and Saskatchewan gathered, each holding a candle-lit lantern. With a brief introduction, we embarked on our journey.
Alan, dressed in an authentic funeral suit with a black mourning sash and hat scarf, shared intriguing details about historical funeral traditions. He explained that when a child died, a white scarf adorned the hat. Conducting this tour four times a week from June to October for 15 years, Alan has raised nearly $60,000 for the Historical Society of Annapolis Royal. Besides his role as a park ranger and guide at the Fort Anne National Historic Site for 27 years, Alan engages with local classrooms through historical outreach.
Walking Through Time
We began our tour, navigating the earthworks of Fort Anne, mounds constructed to shield Annapolis Royal from potential threats. The cemetery lay just beyond, where Alan gathered us around the largest gravestone?"an imposing obelisk?"to officially start the tour.
Our first stop was the cemetery’s oldest gravestone from 1720, belonging to a 37-year-old woman. Alan explained the symbolism on gravestones, where skulls might signify death, while flowers, lambs, or rosebuds symbolized young lives lost. Weeping willows often depicted mourning. We also learned about the materials used for gravestones over the years: slate, sandstone, granite, and marble.
Stories of the Past
Alan regaled us with tales of those buried here, like an 83-year-old woman cheated out of her fortune by her husband. He shared insights about soldierly life in the 18th century: of 100 soldiers, only six could bring their wives during deployments. Those wives and children lived under harsh conditions, sharing cramped quarters. It wasn't until the Crimean War that journalistic coverage highlighted these struggles, sparking public outrage and change.
Volunteers, Alan noted, regularly clean the gravestones using gentle methods to preserve them. Remarkably little vandalism occurs here, as locals take immense pride in their heritage. As a ninth-generation Acadian, and president of the Annapolis Royal Historical Society, Alan embodies this passion. Annapolis Royal boasts Canada’s largest National Heritage District, with 135 heritage buildings, the oldest gravestone, and the oldest National Historic Site.
Living History
The town embraces its history through reenactments featuring traditional dishes like moose nose soup and smoked beaver tail, akin to those enjoyed by early settlers at Port-Royal Habitation. Coincidentally, Alan’s twin brother, Wayne, introduced me to this early French history earlier that day.
Annapolis Royal, one of the east coast’s most historic towns, has roots in shipbuilding. Of its original 13 wharfs, just one remains. The Garrison Graveyard hosts 234 gravestones, where over 2,000 souls rest, including early Acadian settlers whose wooden crosses have long vanished.
Alan shared a compelling story about a soldier from the 1780s found buried in the riverbed, likely a criminal buried this way for that reason. His own lineage traces back to Charles Melanson, who arrived in 1664. Alan’s theatrical and humorous storytelling captivated us, transporting us to another time. Even former Prime Minister Paul Martin enjoyed this tour.
Reflections and Future Journeys
After returning my lantern, I received a certificate commemorating my tour participation. Back at the Garrison House B&B, I gazed out towards the dark cemetery, imagining life here in the 1700s and 1800s. Eager for another day of exploration, I prepared for upcoming visits to the Tidal Power Generating Plant, the Bear River Heritage and Cultural Centre, and a scenic coastal drive to Yarmouth.
Nova Scotia brims with history, fascinating personalities, and countless stories worth discovering.
For the entire article with photos, visit [Travel and Transitions](http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/annapolis_royal_graveyard_tour.htm).
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Hello From Nova Scotia - Part 6 - The Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.