Monument to honour those buried in unmarked graves

Ceremony at Pine Grove Cemetery to honour Alms House graves

An unveiling ceremony will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Shelburne for a new monument honoring those who passed away and were buried in unmarked graves at Alms House.

The ceremony will take place Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.

Alms House, a municipal home in Sandy Point, opened in 1885 and was rebuilt on the same location in 1914, after being destroyed by fire in September 1913.

The home was closed and torn down in 1958.

During the construction of Sandy Point Consolidated Elementary School, which was later erected on the north side of the property, a cemetery was located containing many unmarked graves. These graves were relocated to Pine Grove Cemetery in Shelburne to make room for the school.

A modest grave marker stands erected at Pine Grove Cemetery, however, the stone contains no information on the many individuals buried there.

In January 2018, during budget discussions, the Municipality of Shelburne Council identified the replacement of the Alms House grave marker in Pine Grove Cemetery as a priority for 2018. The replacement of this monument was brought to council by local resident Wally Buchanan. During the past year staff have corresponded with Buchanan to identify and name 75 individuals whose remains are at rest in the Pine Grove gravesite.

The municipality says it is grateful that this matter was brought to its attention.

“We appreciate the passion and research that was put into this project by a local resident. Now we can properly memorialize the residents of Alms House”, says Warden Penny Smith. “Everyone is encouraged to join municipal council as we unveil this beautiful new monument.”