Cape Breton Island 
Grand-Pré National Historic Site; Photo Credit: André Audet
Nova Scotia holds a great deal of memories, so it makes sense to honour those memories with memorials. Some of the memorials represent the legacy of great community figures, some commemorate the dead, and others provide a touchpoint for learning about a specific group of people and their story in Nova Scotia. Maybe one of these memorials speaks to you personally, or maybe you just want to learn more about that time in Nova Scotian history. Either way, visiting a memorial gives you a chance to connect with the past and make those memories present.
Birthplace of Hockey
Starting out with a happier memorial, the town of Windsor in itself is a memorial to the birth of hockey. Yes, there are disputes about where and when the sport actually began, but this is not a sports article so you’ll have to look elsewhere for that drama. Windsor proudly commemorates the early days of the sport with a museum and regular events that show Nova Scotia’s continuing contribution to this sport. You can even go in a replica locker room, though I’m sure it doesn’t smell like a locker room.
Where: 424 Clifton Avenue, Windsor
Contact Details: 902-798-1800
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Dwight Crouse Memorial Trail
Dwight Crouse was once the president of the Queens Rails to Trails Association, and he contributed to local conservation efforts through 25 years with Ducks Unlimited. When he passed away in 2013, the most fitting tribute was agreed to be naming a rails-to-trails section after him. This trail is 70 inches wide (a detail that is fascinating, why is this of such note?) and is a multi-use trail, so everyone can enjoy it. It connects on to other Lunenburg trails and is maintained by the association, ensuring that Dwight Crouse’s legacy will continue.
Where: Brooklyn
Edmond Chater Memorial Skate Park
A beloved community figure, Edmond Chater enriched Mount Uniacke for decades with his store, Eddy’s Variety, and participated in every community event. His loss in 2017 caused the whole community to go into mourning. However, they soon came up with a way to honour him, and thus the Edmond Chater Memorial Skate Park was named. Just up the street from Eddy’s Variety, the skatepark is designed for skateboards, scooters, and BMX, and is meant for everyone from beginners to pros.
Where: 628 Highway 1, Mount Uniacke
The Emigrant Statue
Appropriately close to Pier 21, where many emigrants disembarked for the first time, the Emigrant Statue is a bronze and marble memorial to people who left their homes behind to seek out a new life in Canada. The main figure is male, and he’s seen leaving a woman and children behind, a common emigrant story as men set out to find work and a home before sending for their family. It’s a statue that conveys both the hope and the cost of the emigrant life, and it’s possible that generations of emigrants walked right over this site as they set out to make a better life. There is an inscription on the statue in English, French and Italian, and it reads as follows:
“The pain of separation he overcame,
With faith and hope his heart aflame”
Where: 1215 Marginal Road, Halifax
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Fairview Lawn Cemetery
There are a few cemeteries on this list, but Fairview Lawn is first because a) it’s first alphabetically, and b) the graves of interest date back to a very famous tragedy. When the Titanic sank, both survivors and the recovered dead were brought to Halifax. The city coroner at the time decreed that most of the dead would be buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery. The hundred graves stand in lines of three, and while some have grand markers, some don’t even have a name. One grave of note is one that was long for “The Unknown Child”, but thanks to forensic testing we now know that Sidney Leslie Goodwin is buried there.
Where: 3720 Windsor Street, Halifax
Contact Details: 902-490-4883
Fishermen’s Memorial
The history of the fishing industry in Nova Scotia is long and storied, but it’s important to remember that this work was dangerous and cost several people their lives. Lunenburg decided to erect the Fisherman’s Memorial to honour all those lost at sea. There are eight columns, one at each point of a compass rose, and names are listed as far back as 1890. The sea is dangerous, and the risks people take to make their living from it deserve such a powerful memorial.
Where: Lunenburg Waterfront, Lunenburg
Fort Massey Cemetery
Both WWI and WWII left deep marks on Halifax as a city—for some, it was the final stop on the way to Europe, and the last time they set foot on Canadian soil alive. Fort Massey Cemetery is a military cemetery that has Commonwealth burials for each war, and they are separated from the rest of the graveyard, close to the Cross of Sacrifice. There’s also the Fort Massey Memorial to two servicemen who died in the Halifax Explosion, whose bodies were never found. The graves in Fort Massey go all the way back to the 1750s, so it remains a solemn and peaceful place for genealogical research.
Where: 1246 Queen Street, Halifax
Glooscap Statue
The story of the Mi’kmaq peoples of Nova Scotia is rife with tragedy and challenge ever since the first colonizers came to these shores. It’s important to recognize that their story also includes incredible cultural resilience, survival, and improvements in relations as reconciliations grapple with the weight of the past to make a better future. The Glooscap Statue in Parrsboro is part of this story, built to recognize Glooscap’s significance in Mi’kmaq legend. The statue stands above the Glooscap Interpretive Centre, where you can learn more about Mi’kmaq history and culture.
Where: 4030 Eastern Avenue, Parrsboro
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Grand Parade
Grand Parade (or Parade Square) is used for concerts and outdoor events, but it’s also important as a memorial site. Once a military parade ground (hence the name), Grand Parade also has a cenotaph in the middle. This tall statue was originally dedicated in 1929 to the dead of World War One. When World War Two came and went, additions were made that I’m sure everyone wished they didn’t have to. On Remembrance Day a ceremony is held here that honours all of Nova Scotia’s dead through all the conflicts up to the present day.
Where: 1790 Argyle Street, Halifax
Grand-Pré
The story of the deportation of the Acadian people has been told in poems, movies, and books, but if you want to get an in-depth look at the experience, you should visit Grand-Pré. This whole historic site is a monument to Acadian history. There are artifacts from the early days, a statue of Evangeline from the Longfellow poem of the same name, and several exhibits dealing with the story of the Deportation. You can even walk the fields and marshlands, so if you close your eyes, you can picture exactly how peaceful life here once was.
Where: 2205 Grand-Pré Road, Grand-Pré
Contact Details: 902-542-3631 or 1-866-542-3631
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Grant Potter Memorial Park
Grant Potter spent his whole career as Recreation Director making Annapolis Royal a quality place to be, emphasizing the area’s natural beauty and historical significance in his projects. This memorial park is a tribute to all of his efforts. While there is some traditional playground equipment, the majority of the space is natural play space, a concept where you use natural materials like rocks and trees so you keep the environment of the park healthy. And the park is growing, with a recent donation of 5,000$ set to build a new adventure hill and trails perfect for kids.
Where: 114 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal
Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower
The Halifax Explosion of 1917 is a story of frightful noise and destruction, followed by extraordinary efforts of human kindness to help the city rebuild (especially Boston, who gets a Christmas tree every year in thanks). The North End of Halifax was particularly hard hit, being the closest to the explosion, and was completely decimated. It was rebuilt of course, and today it stands as a testament of Halifax’s resilience. The Memorial Bell Tower can be found in the North end park of Fort Needham, where you can learn all about the impact of the explosion and remember the stories of victims and survivors alike.
Where: Fort Needham Memorial Park, Halifax
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J.F.W. DesBarres Statue and Park
As the founder of Sydney, Cape Breton, it makes sense that J.F.W. DesBarres has both a statue and a park bearing his name. The memorial is simple and beautiful, with a garden full of flowers and mushrooms growing nearby. There are also panels where you can learn about the man and his efforts to bring a city to life. If you’ve got strong Sydney roots like I do, it’s worth paying a visit to pay your respects to J.F.W. DesBarres.
Where: 33 Charlotte Street, Sydney
Contact Details: 902-562-3399
Johnny Miles Memorial Trail
Johnny Miles had perhaps the best possible last name for a runner. He won two Boston Marathons (the first in a pair of 98 cent sneakers), and participated in not one but two Summer Olympics. The Johnny Miles Marathon began in New Glasgow in 1975, and is held every year in his honour. If you’re training for this marathon, you should also check out the Johnny Miles Memorial Trail and run it, in memory of this extraordinary athlete.
Where: East River Road, New Glasgow
A Land of Our Own
The immigration history of Sydney, Cape Breton, is just as varied and perhaps even more so than in Halifax. This bronze statue depicts a man and his son, newly arrived in Sydney Harbour. Created by William Ernest Brown, the statue was erected in 2012. People came to Cape Breton from all over the world, and the cultures they brought with them enriched the Island immeasurably; the statue is here to reflect those contributions.
Where: 60 Esplanade Street, Sydney, Cape Breton
Maud Lewis Memorial Park
Maud Lewis is perhaps the most beloved of all Nova Scotia. Her legacy lives on in her art in galleries, and also at this Memorial Park. Built on the site of her home (the original is actually in the Nova Scotia art gallery), this park is full of flowers and picnic tables, reflect the charming beauty in Lewis’ art. There are panels showing some of her art and her history, so you can view it on the ground it was painted at. There’s also a steel memorial built to the exact dimensions of her house, so you can see exactly how much space she had to work with, and marvel at all the beautiful work she did.
Where: 511 Highway 1, Marshalltown
Contact Details: 902-245-4757
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Memorial to Canadian Sailors Lost at Sea
While the Lunenburg Fishermen’s Monument honours the fisheries, this memorial in Point Pleasant Park honours the war dead. This monument includes both sailors and soldiers who were lost at sea during the First and Second World Wars. It’s a large memorial that creates a moment of solemnity in a park that’s mainly used for recreation. On clear days you can see the end of the Halifax Harbour, the last sight of Halifax that these sailors and soldiers ever saw.
Where: Point Pleasant Park, Halifax
Miners’ Memorial Monument
The coal mining history of Cape Breton is long and brutal, so it’s only fitting that they receive a memorial. New Waterford is the perfect place for this memorial—not only was it a major centre for the industry, but there were also two disasters concerning the nearby mine. One of these disasters was the explosion at the Number 12 Colliery, and the man who was blamed by the company for starting the explosion (unfairly), John D. McKay, stands atop the monument. The miners and their union have always maintained that the horrific safety conditions of the mine caused the explosion, and this memorial reflects their conclusions.
Where: Plummer Avenue, New Waterford, Cape Breton
Saunders Park
Chebucto Road is known to be a busy road in Halifax, but what most people don’t know is that it used to be an airport! Saunders Park stands where there used to be an airstrip, but it’s now a pleasant urban park that’s great for playing tag. Saunders is named for Donald Saunders, who contributed greatly to aviation in Halifax and Nova Scotia. Make sure to read the full plaque on the statue; this guy deserves a History Minute episode at least.
Where: 6729 Chebucto Road, Halifax
Sebastopol Monument
The “arch with a lion on it” is a familiar statue in the Old Burial Ground, but the story behind it is fascinating. It’s the 4th oldest war monument in all of Canada, remains the only memorial to the Crimean War in North America. Named for the Siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855, this monument shows the dates of the battles the British fought against the Russians on their way to the capital of Crimea, ending with Sebastopol (or Sevastopol). Several Nova Scotians fought in these battles, and two figures who died in the battle are memorialized by name- Major Augustus Frederick Welsford and Captain William Buck Carthew Augustus Parker.
Where: The Old Burial Ground, 6591 Chebucto Road
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South African War Memorial
You’ll find this memorial just outside the Province House in Halifax. It commemorates the war with many names, including the Boer War. Two Nova Scotian regiments fought in that war, and this statue seeks to honour their sacrifice. The panels below the statue show four important moments from the conflict for Nova Scotia and Canada at large.
Where: Province House Courtyard, Halifax
Sydney Merchant Mariners’ Memorial
Not everyone was a soldier in World War Two, and their contributions to the war effort should be remembered. The Merchant Mariners were in the merchant navy, and their task was to bring supplies to Europe. While that was already difficult in peacetime, during the war they had to dodge German U-boats and enemy boats, trying their best to cut these vital supply lines. The memorial tells the story of the hardships the merchant mariners endured, both those who never made it home and those who came home with memories full of anxious nights, terrifying enemy encounters, and the loss of those buried in the sea.
Where: 246 Esplanade, Sydney, Cape Breton
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Canada’s veterans have given so much for their country, and this park in the Annapolis Valley creates a space to reflect on those sacrifices. There are granite monuments that read the names of not just the dead, but all who have served their country since World War One. There are also three gardens: one is a stylized WWI trench, one is a heritage garden, and one is an international garden. All of these gardens symbolize the hope for peace and the horrors of war. They also have three memorials unique in Canada: one to the animals of war and their handlers, one to remember soldiers who suffer from physical and mental scars, including those who have taken their own lives, and the “Transformation” monument, a powerful hope for an end to war and a time of peace for all.
Where: 5653 Highway 2, Bass River
Westray Miners’ Memorial Park
The name of Westray is inextricably linked to coal mining, as the Westray Mine was the site of one of the worst mine disasters in Nova Scotian history. The explosion happened on May 9th, 1992, and 26 miners lost their lives. The memorial is stone, and depicts a miner’s lamp, with the names of the dead written in the beams of light. It’s a place to pay respects and to remember the human cost of the coal mining industry, which so many families have had to pay.
Where: Corner of Park Street and Walkerville Road, New Glasgow
William E. deGarthe Memorial Monument
This memorial is interesting because it honours both its subject and the sculptor who created it. William E. deGarthe carved this memorial in Peggy’s Cove in honour of Nova Scotia fishermen on a granite outcropping. Fishermen and their families are depicted, along with St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors, and the mysterious figure of Peggy of Peggy’s Cove. William died in 1983, and visiting this monument will let you learn more about the history of Nova Scotia fishermen, as well as the man who carved them into stone.
Where: 131 Peggy’s Cove Road, Peggy’s Cove
Contact Details: 1-866-230-1586
By: Adrienne Colborne
Hi, I just read below information as my friend told me.
He advises me to check and go through the history of explosion in Halifax.
I wish i can go there to see it. As this pandemic, covid 19 cannot travel around the world.
Thanks and hello from Indonesia.
Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower
The Halifax Explosion of 1917 is a story of frightful noise and destruction, followed by extraordinary efforts of human kindness to help the city rebuild (especially Boston, who gets a Christmas tree every year in thanks). The North End of Halifax was particularly hard hit, being the closest to the explosion, and was completely decimated. It was rebuilt of course, and today it stands as a testament of Halifax’s resilience. The Memorial Bell Tower can be found in the North end park of Fort Needham, where you can learn all about the impact of the explosion and remember the stories of victims and survivors alike.
Where: Fort Needham Memorial Park, Halifax