Cemeteries are full of stories. More than just tombs for our earthly remains, these hallowed grounds are rich in memory and history. Oxford’s Pine Grove Cemetery is working to respect the dead, remember the contributions of those who built our community, and those who defended it.
The arrival of autumn marks the passing of a season and reminds us of traditions to come. While there is the annual embrace of Hallowe’en, we also look forward to the solemn remembrance of our fallen war dead and soon thereafter, the joyful holiday season with celebrations of faith and the marking of a New Year. It’s only natural that a walk through a local cemetery might bring up many conflicted emotions and thoughts of the past, present and future.
The Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery board recently initiated a pilot project to address the deterioration of century-old headstones, including the cemetery architect, Henry Treen (1831–1914) and the founding directors and committee members who were involved in the cemetery’s incorporation in 1890. This first step is part of a “long-range plan toward preserving heritage and honouring memory.”
The board received funding from the W.B. Wells Foundation in the amount of $1664 (80% of the expenses). The remainder was covered in the cemetery’s own fundraising. In its application to the Foundation, the Pine Grove Cemetery board outlined the importance of taking a considered approach to the restoration:
“Headstones are more than mere markers; they are irreplaceable artifacts. Their preservation demands a measured, respectful approach, grounded in expertise. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the damage caused by well-intentioned but improper cleaning methods. Scrubbing with harsh brushes, using household cleaners, or power-washing can irreversibly erode inscriptions, cause staining, and even structurally weaken the stone—sometimes within a single season.“
Pine Grove Cemetery board president Bill Henley says the plan is to do five additional stones each year, seeking funding support where possible. The cemetery will continue cleaning stones section-by-section over the coming years as funds allow (donations to the Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery via e-transfer to <oxfordpinegrove@gmail.com> or send your cheque to Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery, P.O. Box 31, Oxford, NS B0M1P0. Official tax receipts issued – please add your address to any correspondence).
The first nine headstones restored were:
- Henry Treen, Promoter and designer of Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery.
- Col. William F. Oxley, Founding Director.
- Baby son of Col. Oxley, the first burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, 1873.
- Albert Scott Mackintosh, Founding Director.
- James R. Mackintosh, Founding Director.
- James S. Hickman, Founding Director.
- Rufus Wood, Founding Director.
- William Dunsmore, Founding Director.
- Rufus Freeman Thompson, Founding Director.
- John Robb, Founding Director.
With Remembrance Day approaching, Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery is preparing to host another public clean-up effort (see coverage of the 2024 cleanup) Board President Bill Henley says the cemetery is in much better shape following a concerted effort over the past two years to focus on maintenance, with tree trimming, weeding and grave bed sculpting being tackled. Supporting the cemetery caretaker (Bruce Benjamin) lately have been workers from Sunset Industries, particularly Joe Timmons who Henley says has been a great addition to the maintenance team.
Pine Grove also is sporting a new fence, following a $50-thousand fundraising drive that saw the old fence taken down and replaced in the summer. There are plans to have two archways with the cemetery’s name installed over the two vehicle entrances. The centre vehicle entrance was closed off when the new fence was installed, leaving room for a pedestrian entrance only. Henley says Pine Grove is a lovely place to walk through, particularly as the land is flat throughout and is easy for even persons with mobility challenges to navigate.
The site of the receiving vault, which was removed earlier this year, is becoming a gravelled parking lot at the South entrance to the cemetery. An expansion of 40 new lots across two rows is currently being undertaken, as available plots were becoming scarce. There are still several 5×5 “cremation lots” available near the South entrance after the Columbarium at $500/ea.
The public is invited to come out on Saturday, October 31st (rain date November 7th) at 9:00am to help with the clean-up (remember to bring your rakes!).
Members of the community are also invited to leave a flag on the graves of veterans and war dead as we move closer to the November 11th ceremonies at the Oxford Cenotaph. Flags will be provided for those who wish to take part.
Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery will close its gates to vehicle traffic as of mid-November.
