About Old Burying Ground
National Historic Site cemetery at 1541 Barrington Street, opened the year Halifax was founded in 1749, with sandstone and slate headstones and the Crimean War Welsford-Parker Monument.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
Old Burying Ground
The Old Burying Ground on Barrington Street opened in 1749, the same year Halifax was founded, and served as the town's main cemetery for more than a century. Sandstone and slate headstones mark the graves of early settlers and military figures, with the Welsford-Parker Monument honouring two Haligonians killed in the Crimean War. The site is a National Historic Site and is open daylight hours for walking.
Practical Information
Address
Located at 1541 Barrington Street in Downtown Halifax, the Old Burying Ground is found at the intersection of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road, directly across from Saint Mary's Basilica.
Hours of Operation
The site reopened for its 2026 season on May 1st. While it typically operates through spring, summer, and fall, the exact daily hours and closing date for 2026 are not yet specified. Previous schedules (from 2022) listed hours from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Visitors are strongly advised to confirm the current schedule before their visit.
Admission
Admission to this National Historic Site is completely free, with no tickets or reservations required for general visits. The site is maintained by the non-profit Old Burying Ground Foundation, which relies on donations for its preservation.
Accessibility & Parking
Specific details about on-site accessibility, such as wheelchair-friendly pathways or dedicated parking, are not provided in available resources. The foundation recommends contacting them directly for the most current accessibility information. For parking, visitors should check with the Halifax Transportation Department for municipal accessible parking spots located throughout the city, as on-site options may be limited.
Contact Information
For the most up-to-date information on hours and accessibility, you can use the contact form on the official website (oldburyingground.ca) or reach the foundation by mail at PO Box 31065 Halifax, B3K 5T9. There is no direct public phone number listed.
Visitor Experience
This is a self-guided site, offering a quiet place for reflection on history. Founded in 1749 and closed for burials in 1844, it is a significant heritage property. Please plan ahead by verifying hours and consider a donation to support the upkeep of this important landmark.
A stop at the Old Burying Ground takes barely half an hour and rewards a slow read of the ledger stones — the gate on Spring Garden Road opens onto one of Halifax's oldest surviving graveyards, with markers that reach back to the 1750s.
