Tufts Cove Cemetery: A Small Cemetery with a Large Historical Footprint

Nova Scotia is a province with an abundance of small cemeteries. You may see them off dirt roads during your camping trip, or perhaps on your way to a relative’s home. If you keep your eyes open, headstones hidden behind trees and gates entangled in grass will become crystal clear.

Yet unfortunately you’ll likely also notice that many of these cemeteries have been forgotten decades ago. Their care takers are long gone. Perhaps the communities that surrounded them have disappeared as well.

However, there’s a little cemetery I know with a well manicured lawn, blooming gardens, and restored stones. Where pieces of history have been saved and reorganized to create a beautiful resting place.

Where could I possibly be talking about? Tufts Cove Cemetery!

Tufts Cove Cemetery sign on the chain link fence with plants growing around it.

A History of Tufts Cove & Turtle Grove

When you hear Tufts Cove, you likely think of those three candy cane striped stacks that omit smoke on the edge of the Harbour. You have the right place in mind, however Tufts Cove wasn’t always so industrial.

It also wasn’t always Tufts Cove.

The area was known as Turtle Grove by the Mi’kmaq community that lived there for generations. They used the land seasonally, with multiple families returning every year. Turtle Grove was part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This area is also known as Kepe’kek or the Narrows of the Harbour.

Below is a water colour painting of the Mi’kmaq community of Turtle Grove. This water colour painting was found on a panel in the “This Is What I Wish You Knew” exhibit and the Museum of Natural History. A photograph taken in 1871 of the community has been preserved by the Nova Scotia Archives.

Water colour painting featuring the community from Turtle Grove. — This water colour painting depicts the community in the late 18th century. This panel was found in an exhibit called “This Is What I Wish You Knew” at the Museum of Natural History.

When settlers arrived, they claimed this land as their own. Specifically, the Tufts and Farrell families asserted ownership over land in this area. Gerisham and Mary Tufts arrived from Massachusetts to Halifax in 1749 and were granted this land, about 1000 acres, by the British. You can read more about their family history on the Tufts Family Genealogy blog.

Relations between the Mi’kmaq and settlers became strained, as the Mi’kmaq were continually pushed to leave the area, despite having been present long before colonization.

As an article by The Signal describes, many Mi’kmaq people had wanted to leave due to the hostility. Requests had been made to move to the Albro Lake area for years, though requests were not approved until 1917. A move date was established for mid-December of that year.

The Halifax Explosion devastated the area just a week before Mi’kmaq were supposed to relocate, on December 6th, 1917. Turtle Grove was severely damaged by the explosion, with buildings such as the “Indian School” and the “Tufts Cove School” destroyed. A tsunami and snow storm followed. People of all backgrounds passed away in the explosion. A list of those who passed away (hosted by the Nova Scotia Archives) includes 19 people in Tufts Cove.

According to a post on “My Dartmouth” by Megan Richard, most Mi’kmaq people left to live in other communities after the Halifax Explosion, meaning that Turtle Grove was never rebuilt.

However, descendants of settlers continued to live in this area and call it Tufts Cove. The community expanded and more than five generations of the Tufts family have resided in Tufts Cove.

The area has also had a long history of industrial use. By 1965, Nova Scotia Light and Power (now Nova Scotia Power) had reconstructed the area and at least one of its landmark smoke stacks stood overlooking the Harbour.

Tufts Cove Cemetery main sign which is in a gothic style.

The Tufts Cove Cemetery History

Tufts Cove Cemetery may be one of the oldest marked cemeteries in the city, with gravestones dating back to the early 1800’s.

Many of the stones have sadly crumbled or are damaged. The damage, or some of it, may have occurred during the Halifax Explosion.

Dates of headstones span centuries, from the early 1800’s to the 2010’s. The majority of the stones are at least 75 years old.

The small cemetery was in disrepair until recent years. The community volunteered its time and effort to clean up and landscape the space. While the restoration project officially started in 2014, work began much earlier and continues to this day. The cemetery is in a well kept state, with only a couple of areas notably under construction.

Photos of the restoration in progress are available on Facebook. The community has also created a Facebook page for the group titled “TUFTS COVE CEMETERY“.

Getting to Tufts Cove Cemetery

Location

Tufts Cove Cemetery is located at the end of Lovett Street, a very short drive off of Windmill Road in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The end of the street also serves as a driveway for the cemetery. If you are driving, I would suggest pulling into the adjacent street, Pinewood Drive, and backing into the ‘driveway’ as it is a tight space to make a turn. Parking is free.

Along the chained fence there is a unlocked gate that welcomes visitors.

A street sign that reads "Tufts Cove Cemetery". It is one a telephone pole in front of trees.

Visiting Tufts Cove Cemetery

Respect & Rules

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: cemeteries are places of peace and respect. Don’t litter, climb stones, or leave gate doors open. Walk with care. And it’s best to leave your furry friends at home.

Each stone represents a life. Someone’s story. Another’s loved one.

Be kind when you visit.

A view of Tufts Cove Cemetery from the ground up.

The Space

Though small, the Tufts Cove Cemetery is full of history. Lots of old headstones can be found among the beautiful gardens and walkways.

The cemetery is very open, but small. This cemetery has nicely kept grass and lots of trees. In the background you can see telephone lines and the stacks of Tufts Cove.

For an old cemetery, Tufts Cove is extremely well maintained. Gorgeous gardens can be found throughout the yard, with new benches and stepping stones recently added.

This photo is a different angle of the cemetery, directed at the front. You can see the new bench as well as the beautiful plants surrounding the fence.

One of the new benches at the cemetery. A label on it reads "Tufts Cove Cemetery". It is printed in a beautiful old typography. Underneath are some stone blocks. On both sides there is a bush, and in the background you can see the garden area and a headstone.

Along with the extensive work that is complete, new work seems to be planned as well. For example, orange tape can be seen around an old tree in the photo below. This may signify that the tree needs to be removed, or that a garden is planned for the area.

Yet another angle of the small cemetery. This photo was taken from the front left corner. On the lefty you an see plants and trees. In the middle of the shot there is an old tree tree with a 4 wooden spikes around it. In between the spikes is orange tape. It seems like this area may be under construction.

Headstone Fragments & Old Fencing

The Fragments

One of the most notable characteristics of the Tufts Cove Cemetery are the broken headstones. Though typically shattered stones may be removed or even disposed of, here they are honoured. Piled together against the rock wall, each is put on a display.

Unfortunately, as most of these stones are fragmented, many have become faceless. Only some of the letters can still be read. Identification of the stones may be difficult, if not impossible, however they are still given a dignified place of rest.

A bunch of pieces of headstones are piled up on a wall. The headstones are all broken, most of them being very old.

A piece of the original fencing, perhaps placed to mimic a cross, is included in the memorial.

A part of the original fencing that looks like a cross is piled beside the headstone fragments.

A few steps away from the fragments, the beauty of the landscape can be seen.

A zoomed out look at the headstone fragment area.

Stone steps lead away from the fragments to the rest of the cemetery.

Stone stair pathway in the grass leading away from the headstone fragments to the rest of the cemetery.

Up the pathway there is another area that displays a stone fragment from 1806. From my research, this is the oldest known stone in the cemetery, though it may not be the earliest burial.

The fragment is displayed on a lovely half crescent stone wall. In the middle there are flat stones, as well as an old post. This post may be from the original fencing of the cemetery, suggesting that the burial grounds grew over the years.

A half moon wall made of stone holds up an section of a headstone. IT reads "1806". A pole is in the middle of the circle.

Old fencing matching the post is put on display. It is strung up on the chain link fence.

The old historic fence from the cemetery is hung up on the new chain link fence around the cemetery.

Beyond the fragments, there are signs of where old graves once stood across the cemetery.

Take a look at the photo below. See the three short stones to the bottom left?

These broken stones sadly no longer have any identifying markers, though they seem to stand in their original resting places. Perhaps fragments of these stones can be found in the display of gravestone pieces.

A view of the cemetery, including the stones you can see were broken off.

Surviving Stones

Despite the large number of broken stones at Tufts Cove Cemetery, there are also plenty that have survived. These stones span over the centuries.

Small stone with a little garden around it. — Frederick passed away in 1914.

Family names such as the Tufts, Lovett, and Gay are often seen on stones throughout the space.

Grave of Mary Tufts, wife of Herny M Tufts. Lived 1812-1847. — Mary Tufts was born in 1812 and passed away in 1847.

Lost too Young

A lamb on top of a headstone typically signifies the grave of a child. Many of these lamb’s heads wear away or are broken off over time, often leaving only the body left.

A grave of a child named Rita Lillian Lovett, aged 9 years old at death. Quote at the end of the grave reads "Our loved one". — “Our Loved One”

7 month old son of Arthur and Annie Gay died in 1914. — Though his name has faded away, this child was Gordon John Gay. The bottom of the headstone reads “Safe in the arms of Jesus”.

Interesting Symbols

There are quite a few stones that are either uniquely shaped or have notable symbols in this cemetery.

The first is the grave of Walter J. Keating. On his stone, a diamond shape in a circle can be seen, symbolizing that he was a member of the Free Masons.

Walter J Keating's grave has the sigil of the Freemasons on it. — On this stone you can see the sigil of the Freemasons.

Another stone is in the shape of a police badge, suggesting that the deceased may have been an officer.

A gravestone shaped like a police badge. Belonging to Michael Keating. — Could the headstone belong to an officer?

Family

Some stones indicate familial relations, showing how the departed were dear to those making their arrangements.

The cross below has “Mother” sprawled across its front.

A very old cross grave that reads "Mother" on it.

This sectioned off plot features a tall, shared stone for the Gay family. At its feet, 4 smaller markers can be seen. They say “Father”, “Brother”, “Sister”, and “Mother”.

A Gay family section of Tufts Cove Cemetery, though not all the Gay stones can be found here. There are many members of the Gay family buried at Tufts Cove Cemetery.

The “Father”, “Brother”, and “Sister” stones are the same style whereas the “Mother” stone is a different colour and features distinct text. This may indicate that the “Mother” marker was replaced or added at a different time.

Victims of the Halifax Explosion

As Tufts Cove / Turtle Grove is located on the Harbour side, sadly some of its residents were victims of the Halifax Explosion.

Ernest Gay, who was 30 years old in 1917, passed away during the explosion.

The grave of Ernest Grave, who was killed in the Halifax Explosion at the age of 30 years. Stone inscription seems to be written by his wife/ widow. — “Tho Lost To Sight, To Memory Dear”

Ada Maud Tufts and her children Richard, Harold, and Clyde were also lost to the Halifax Explosion.

Another soul lost to the Halifax Explosion. Clyde shares a stone with multiple family members. Their last name is the namesake of Tufts Cover Cemetery. — “Gone but not forgotten”

Lost in Battle

Like many communities across Canada, Tufts Cove experienced lives lost during wartime. Sydney Wright, who was barely 20 years old, passed away during service in 1916. This stone indicates that Sydney is buried in Belgium, not the Tufts Cove Cemetery.

Sidney Wright died in service on June 19th, 1916. He was buried with military honours.

New Memorials

New memorial plaques have been added to the gardens along the fencing of the cemetery.

From searching on FindAGrave (a user based memorial website) and the Facebook group, there seems to be several memorial plaques that were not on display during on my visit. It may be that they were taken down either for the winter or due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have not since been returned.

Though many stones are in disrepair or are simply older, newer memorials exist as well. One example can be seen here in the Memorial Garden. This memorial at Tufts Cove Cemetery is dedicated to Ralph Herbert Tufts.

Guest Book

By the entrance of the cemetery you will find a mail box mounted to an old tree. When you open the metal box, a message stating “Please sign the guest book. Visit us on Facebook.” greets you. Inside there is a pen and notebook, filled with years of kind messages from visitors. This is the first cemetery I have ever visited with a guest book!

I, of course, signed the guest book! Below you can see a photo of me scribbling out a thank you message.

Me (Kirby), signing the guest book at Tufts Cove Cemetery!

Learn More!

There is much more to learn about Turtle Grove and Tufts Cove. I would highly suggest that you check out some of the sources linked in this post and do your own research!

In 2017/2018, The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia hosted an exhibit called “KEPE’KEK FROM THE NARROWS OF THE GREAT HARBOUR” which featured works of art from Indigenous artists relating to Turtle Grove and the Halifax Explosion. In the same year, a play called “Picking Up the Pieces” by Playwright Catherine Martin described the story of her Great-Aunt and her family who lived in Turtle Grove at the time of the Halifax Explosion.

You may also be interested in reading Lindsay Jones’ piece for the Globe and Mail called “‘Their spirits are here’: The Halifax Explosion’s untold story of Mi’kmaw communities lost” or Jacob Remes’ “Mi’kmaq in the Halifax Explosion of 1917: Leadership, Transience, and the Struggle for Land Rights” (both require subscriptions).

Recently an anchor, potentially from the Halifax Explosion, was found in the Halifax Harbour near Turtle Grove.

You can also find Turtle Grove mentioned at Fort Needham, the memorial park dedicated to the Halifax Explosion. Interestingly, the memorial plate for the community physically points towards Turtle Grove. From Fort Needham, you can clearly see the stacks of Tufts Cove.

The Turtle Grove memorial at Fort Needham.

The Fort Needham Memorial Park is right across the Harbour from Tufts Cove.

Though the history of Tufts Cove Cemetery does highlight the resilience of locals through disasters such as the Halifax Explosion and the close knitted community that gave this cemetery new life, it has grown from the exploitation and disenfranchisement of the Mi’kmaq community that have called Turtle Grove home.

I would encourage you to do your own investigating into the history.

A shot of the cemetery on a foggy day with the smoke stacks in the background.

Conclusion

Tufts Cove Cemetery is a must visit for history and cemetery enthusiasts alike. Though a small space, it is filled to the brim with in depth local history.

It is clear that this cemetery is cared for with love. That a community has come together to restore this forgotten cemetery. I would recommend checking out their Facebook page to learn more about the restoration project and the Nova Scotia Genealogical Association’s website to see photos from a past tour.

A big shout out to my travel buddy (who would like to remain anonymous) for accompanying me and snapping some photos!

Kirby (me) sitting on a bench at Tufts Cove Cemetery.

Do you like exploring Cemeteries?

What’s your favourite local history destination?

Feel free to share in the comments below!

Tufts Cove Cemetery Pinterest pin photo and description including the title of the blog post, the name' of the blog, and the URL of the blog. "Tufts Cove Cemetery: A Small Cemetery with a Large Historical Footprint", The Maritime Historian, themaritimehistorian.com . The photo on top features a sign for the cemetery on a chain link fence surrounded by trees.

You may also be interested in:

Halifax’s Mount Olivet Cemetery: The Historic Cemetery You Need to Visit

Exploring McNab’s Island, Nova Scotia

“This Is What I Wish You Knew”: Mi’kmaq Identity and History at the Museum of Natural History in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia)