Organized by the Norway Bay Bristol Historical Society (NBBAS), the event consisted of a walkthrough of the cemetery where locals were provided with loads of historical information and stories about the site.

The cemetery’s chairman Garry Graham lead the walk from the east end of the property to the west side, occasionally stopping the group to explain a series of facts and old stories about the burial ground.

From its total of 4,000 internments to the fact that it costs around $17,000 per year to maintain or that a plot of the cemetery used to come with a plot of land back in the village’s early stages, Graham had no shortage of knowledge to offer

Residents were also able to look at an ancient map of the grounds as well as a Norway Bay history book filled with old photos and tales of the town titled The Right Hand of Fellowship.

According to the NBBAS’ Chair Bonnie Beveridge, the event served as a way to inform residents on the town’s history by showing some of the most historically significant headstones in the yard.

“Basically, we’re just trying to find a little more history of our area and not let it be forgotten,” she said.

For Graham, the event was an enjoyable one as it gave him an opportunity to educate locals on the importance of a significant piece of the town’s history – something he never passes on doing.

“I like history,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in this cemetery.”

With so many of the village’s residents related to one another and many of its bloodlines that can be traced all the way back to the 1800s, Graham thinks that the locals are always intrigued to know more about where they’re from and how they got there.

“People are looking for their roots,” he said. “They keep asking me “Where is this stone? What is that? Who’s related to who? I presume they’re looking for roots.”

Spending substantial amounts of resources every year to keep the cemetery in good shape, Graham was thrilled to see that a lot of people are putting the grounds to use and are interested in what the cemetery holds.

“When we spend a lot of money on the cemetery, it’s kind of nice to know that people are actually interested,” he said.

Considering the large crowd of locals coming out to the organization’s first tour, the events’ popularity was a clear reminder that people are still interested in the town’s history, Beveridge said.

“[The turnout is] excellent,” she said. “I am thrilled. This is the best turnout we’ve had. So, obviously people are interested.”

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