The Candlelight Graveyard Tour

Everyone Gathers for the Candlelight Graveyard Tour

The Candlelight Graveyard Tour is the longest running and the most sought after of the walking-guided tours in Annapolis Royal put on by the Historic Association. Internationally acclaimed heritage interpreter Alan Melanson created these walking tours in 1991. They have become one of the most popular events in Nova Scotia. Thousands have taken the tour over the years including former Prime Minister Paul Martin.

If you have ever wondered anything about a graveyard, about the art on the old tombstones, the verses on some or about the people buried there then don't miss out on this great tour. Even if you are not the least bit curious about the graveyard but like a truly unique experience then I recommend this tour.

One of the reasons this graveyard tour is so successful is because of your tour guide. Alan is perfect for the job and he has researched his information well to put on a most interesting and informative experience.

Alan Melanson is president of the Historical Association of Annapolis Royal and a 10th generation Acadian. His ancestors founded what is now the Melanson Settlement National Historic Site. He has over 30 years experience as a professional heritage interpreter for Parks Canada and is a popular speaker and emcee for heritage events. He will amaze you with how he can bring intriguing stories about the people buried in the graveyard and unique bits of history of the town to life.

  Candlelight Tour Guide Alan Melanson

One of the Stops in the Candlelight Graveyard Tour

I had taken the Graveyard Tour years before and really enjoyed it then, so while I was back in Nova Scotia I had to go on it again, actually a few times. Even though I had thought the tour was great before, I was amazed how much Alan had perfected this tour, and how popular it had become.

My nephew Jason and his wife Tricia was here from Toronto and even though he had been on the tour before, he wanted to take Tricia on it. We left a little early so we could walk around the fort grounds for a bit but soon noticed a crowd forming at the back door to the fort. When we walked over I was surprised to see my cousin John & his wife Wanda there. They also had company visiting so was taking them on the Candlelight Graveyard Tour.

Alan was dressed in his costume and handing out lanterns to everyone who came. We ended up with a very large crowd this night, well over a hundred people! He barely had enough lanterns to go around, but some couples shared a lantern.

Before we started off Alan introduced himself and gave a little talk about what we would experience on the tour. We would be touring the oldest English graveyard in all of Canada! On this small piece of land there are over 2000 people buried dating back to 1720 and up until 1940. We will learn about a few of these people tonight.

Alan was good at involving the crowd with his talk. He even had a volunteer, who happened to be my cousin's grandson, come up to help him with a point he was making.

By now it was getting dark and we were cautioned to move along slow and to

      Jason & Tricia With Their Lanterns

watch our footing. I was amazed how well and smoothly everyone followed Alan along. We would go so far and then he would stop and wait for everyone to gather around while he told one of his interesting stories. Even with this big crowd I had no problem hearing him no matter where I stood.

As Alan took us to several tombs he would stop and point out the different art that was used on the stones. It was neat to hear how this artwork changed over the years and what each one represented. As we read over the names and dates on the stones we were provided with an insight to their lives, deaths and their contributions to the area. Some of the names I had heard before but I learned a lot more about them from this tour.

One of the many interesting stories we heard about the people buried here was about the life of Gregoria Romania Antonia, a Spanish vivandiere and how she happened to marry a soldier named Joseph Norman and end up in Annapolis Royal. Another was the story of Andrew Gilmore who was the last soldier to stand guard over the fort here.

Different things on the stones were pointed out like the materials the stones are made from. Sometimes he even pointed out mistakes made by the engravers like on the stone for Margarette Winniett, which happens to be the second oldest stone in the graveyard. Engraved on the stone is her birthdate of 1723 and date of death listed as 1722.

Learning About Gravestone Art, Graveyard Tour

We come to this one small stone sticking up out of the ground and Alan tells us it is the oldest English headstone in Canada. It belongs to Bathiah Douglas who died on October 1, 1720 at the age of 37. It is a good thing someone had recorded the epitaph off the stones because there is not much engraving left on this stone, it has mostly all eroded away. More care is taken now of these old stones,

The Oldest Surviving Headstone, Garrison Graveyard

they are properly cleaned and protected from the harsh winter elements now.

This is the oldest English graveyard in Canada, but the graveyard itself is even older. We are shown where there are supposed to be Acadians buried here but unfortunately there are no markers left to show who or where. The Acadians and early French used wooden crosses to mark their graves which have long since rotted away.

We are also shown the spot where the early French Chapel of St. Jean Baptiste was located. Unfortunately this chapel was destroyed in 1690.

All too soon the tour is over, it seems like we just got started. However it is fairly dark out now, thank goodness for the lanterns. Alan passes out a nice certificate to everyone on the tour, a nice keepsake. There is a lot of talk and excitement in the air as we carefully make our way back to the Fort Anne. It is easy to tell everyone was excited about the tour.

I really do recommend this tour to anyone staying in the area. If you are interested in going on the Candlelight Graveyard Tour just make sure you are at the Officer's Quarters building at Fort Anne National Historic Site by 9:30 p.m. The tour is provided every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from the first of June until the middle of October. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater it can get a little chilly after the sun goes down.

To find out more about the Candlelight Graveyard Tour or to find out how much it cost you can visit the Tour Annapolis Royal Website.

Leave the Candlelight Graveyard Tour Page to go look at other great Guided Tours in Annapolis Valley