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Inscription on the City
Plaque at the Centre of the Saint John's original burial ground was established on this site shortly after the landing of the United Empire Loyalists in 1783. After its closure as a cemetery in 1848 the site became a memorial garden with tree lined walkways and flower beds. For upwards of 100 years it remained a unique place of beauty in the centre of a busy industrial city. However, time and neglect gradually took their toll and by the late 1900's the burial ground was in a state of disrepair. In 1994 the Irving family undertook a restoration program as a gift to the people of Saint John. They commissioned and carried out a refurbishing of the entire site, including the construction of brick and granite walkways, benches, specially cast memorial gates, railings and light columns. Hundreds of trees and thousands of flowers and shrubs were planted and the magnificent Beaver Fountain was created. It was back in 1925 that K C. Irving established his first Saint John business on Union Street adjacent to the burial ground. For many years he looked out over this very site from his office in the Golden Ball Building. The Canadian Beaver, a prominent motif found throughout the site, depicts the hard work, enterprise and tenacious resolve of the city's founders and those who followed. The people of Saint John warmly thank the Irving family for restoring their pride in this historic site. Work on the site commenced in the Spring of 1994 and was completed the Summer of 1995. In words and pictures, this page tells the story of the Old Burial Grounds renewal.
The design of the restoration project was created by international landscape architect Alex Novell, of the British firm, Novell Tullett. Alex Novell's work, as depicted in the grounds, reflects the old, the new, the past, the future.
One of the intriguing features of the Old Burial Ground is the perfect alignment of its centre pathway with the front gates of the Old City Market. Just as the City Market is a gathering place for people, so again will be the renovated burial ground. It is at this point on Sydney Street that five of the Old Burial Ground's primary paths branch out into the graveyard. Here, the main entrance gate to the burial ground has been erected. Those who enter will be able to select three different areas to visit: right gate leading to the area where the grave markers are concentrated; left gate leading to the flagpole and Irving Christmas Tree area; and centre gate to the fountain.
The granite paving at the front of the gates is based on an old European fan pattern and is found throughout the burial ground.
In 1785 a coat of arms was chosen for the new City of Saint John. One of the symbols chosen for the newly created crest was the beaver. The beaver has come to symbolize the spirit of hard work and innovation and has been used as a recurring theme in the renovated Old Burial Ground.
The monuments were restored using a conservationist approach. No attempt was made to repair or replace worn or broken engravings. In this way their historic appearance remains virtually unchanged. Near the gates a granite memorial stone was placed in memory of those buried here. The stone's bronze inscription reads: Hope, Refuge, Solace and
I heard a voice from
heaven, saying unto me. Write, Within these Burial
Grounds lie the remains of This site was chosen in
1783 by Loyalist Under the guidance of your
hand, O'Lord,
Trees are one of the cemetery's greatest assets. To ensure future generations will enjoy them, a professional arborist catalogued the trees and took measures to prolong their life. Where roots had become exposed over the years, they were covered with top soil and damaged limbs were repaired or removed to promote healthy growth. Dozens of mature native Canadian trees were planted in the burial ground to ensure sufficient shade for the future. These new trees included Red, Sugar and Silver Maples; Green and Mountain Ash; Marsh, Red and English Oak; Elm, Pine and Yew. The restoration's tree program included the identification of all new trees. Many of the site's special-interest trees have been identified with name plaques. Every tree in the burial ground was catalogued for age, species and health.
Special attention was also paid to the Old Burial Ground's plants and flowers. Each year, the arrival of spring is marked by the colourful display of tulips. New beds of annual and perennial flowers, as well as shrubs, evergreens and hardwoods were planted to provide year-round colour and fragrance. These include roses, lilacs, impatiens, perennial geraniums (the official flower of Saint John) and many other early- and late-blooming flowers.
The pathways through the burial ground are convenient for those walking in the uptown area. Special attention was given to restore these paths as both functional walkways and to complement the restoration.
Individual granite paving stones were laid in a low-maintenance design. Local stonemasons and bricklayers were trained to chip each stone by hand and then lay them to fit perfectly like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
The lamps made for the Old Burial Ground are cast iron with copper lanterns. On the base of each lamp is a cast bronze beaver medallion and a City of Saint John coat of arms.
The burial ground's litter bins are heavy, cast-iron with black and gold trim. These also have the beaver medallion and the City of Saint John crest.
Other features include a granite drinking fountain, wrought iron railings and a new bus shelter on Sydney Street, all designed to complement the restoration. The new railings have an arrowhead top based on a century old Saint John design.
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The three gateways are topped by semi-circular
arches resting on the wrought iron posts. A copper lantern hangs from each of
the three arches. On the centre gate way there is a decorated pattern of
wrought iron thistles and roses
As its centerpiece, the fountain features four
bronze beavers building their lodge. The beavers are the work of world-renowned
British sculptor Michael Rizzello, O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire). The
wall of the fountain is made of dark granite from Quebec. The wall surrounding
the fountain is granite quarried at Hampstead and cut in Sussex.
During the restoration project, every measure was
taken to treat the Old Burial Ground with respect. The repair program for grave
markers and crypts was undertaken with great care. Where possible damaged
stones were restored to match their original sandstone colour. Rusted iron
brackets supporting many of the broken stones were replaced with brass fittings
and then set in firm foundations.
The moulded bricks and granite edging were placed
over a crushed stone, concrete and asphalt base. This flexible system was
designed to allow the paths to rise and fall without harm from frost. Care was
taken when the pathways were reconstructed to give better drainage to help
prevent flooding and ice.
The cast iron benches have durable hardwood seats
selected to withstand our weather year-round and provide many years of use.
Like the lamps, each bench is decorated with a beaver medallion. The words,
City of Saint John, N.B., are cast into the arms.
The Irving Christmas Tree in the Sydney Street
corner of the Old Burial Ground is a Saint John holiday tradition. Often called
the most beautiful Christmas Tree in Canada, the site for the New Brunswick
Balsam Fir was enhanced during the restoration project. A new
golden-ball-topped flag pole made in Saint John now occupies the site
year-round except during the Christmas season.