GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS

MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 1 of 16


SUBJECT: The Right Hon. John Sparrow Thompson
Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report
Holy Cross Cemetery
Halifax, Nova Scotia

TO: Madame Julie Dompierre, Director
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC)
Les Terrasses de la Chaudire
25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, 5
th
floor
Quebec K1A 0M5

FOR: National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime
Ministers
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOHN SPARROW THOMPSON


GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 2 of 16

PREPARED BY: Janet Wright
Senior Conservation Advisor
Heritage Programs Branch
Heritage Conservation and Commemoration Directorate
Gatineau, QC

DATE: 21 November 2011


1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

DATE OF INSPECTION: 2 November 2011

PC FIELD UNIT CONTACT: Carla Wheaton
Cultural Resource Manager
Mainland Nova Scotia FU
Halifax, Nova Scotia

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: Sunny, 10
o
Celsius

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENT:
The Gravesite of Sir John Sparrow Thompson is located in the Holy Cross Cemetery
situated in central Halifax near Dalhousie University at the junction of South Street and
South Park Street. Established in 1843, Holy Cross is the oldest Catholic cemetery in
Halifax. It is a relatively small inner city graveyard occupying half a city block and
featuring a wood frame chapel in the gothic style that dates back to the establishment of
the cemetery. The grounds are managed by the Catholic Cemetery Commission and
recently the Holy Cross Cemetery Trust was established by members of the Roman
Catholic community to raise funds and to organize volunteers for the conservation of the
cemetery.

The gravesite of John Sparrow Thompson is located just past the cemetery offices
bordering the main crushed gravel drive through the cemetery. It consists of a polished
grey granite sarcophagus resting on a grey granite base. The boundaries of the plot are
defined by a rounded granite curb punctuated at each corner by a carved stone marker.
The awareness panel and the flagpole are located just inside the main gate of the
cemetery. The 125
th
Centennial Anniversary Plaque is placed on the west side of the
gravesite. There are no other markers on the site.




GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 3 of 16

















Holy Cross Cemetery looking towards the chapel.

2.0 COMPONENTS OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. Awareness Panel

Observation:
The awareness panel and flagpole are located just inside the main gate of the
cemetery. This location was chosen because the gravesite itself was not large enough
to accommodate these elements and the cemetery wanted to increase the sites public
profile. The black metal stand for the awareness panel is in good condition but the
interpretive panel itself has some damage. There are several large scratches across
the oval portrait of Thompson, the grey background paint of the panel is chipped in
several places, and the red paint on the Canadian flag on the Government of Canada
logo and the Canada word mark is chipping off.

Recommended Action:
High Priority: Replace the oval portrait of Sir John Sparrow Thompson on the
awareness panel. Repaint the grey background and the Canadian flags in the
Government of Canada logo and the Canada wordmark.







GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 4 of 16




Awareness Panel. Awareness panel showing the scratches in the oval portrait







Awareness panel showing chipped paint on the flag Awareness panel showing chipped grey paint.
logo.



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 5 of 16
2.0 Flagpole


Entrance area with the flagpole and awareness Detail of flagpole with nylon cord.
Panel

Observation
The flagpole is located directly behind the awareness panel adjacent to the main gate
and it is in good condition. The nylon cord, which holds the base of the flag to the pole,
tends to polish the matte surface of the black anodized coating rather than abrading the
coating as is the case with the wire loop found on some of the flagpoles in Ontario.

The metal cap covering the base of the flagpole is in good condition but it is not an
effective means of protecting the steel bolts, plate and brackets which attach the pole to
the concrete base. Rather than keeping moisture and dirt away, it tends to hold them in
causing pre-mature rusting of the bolts and steel base plate.

Recommended Action:
High Priority: The flag pole manufacturer should be consulted to determine if there is a
more effective means of protecting and masking the base of the flagpole.



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 6 of 16
3. 125
th
Confederation Anniversary Plaque


125
th
Confederation Anniversary plaque. Plaque showing scratches on the bronze plaque and
faded maroon paint.
Observation
The 125
th
Confederation Anniversary Plaque is situated on the west side of the
gravesite. The 2005 monitoring report noted that the bronze border and few of the
letters are scratched and should be polished. Those scratches are still evident and the
maroon paint of the sign appears faded. There are also several chips in the black paint
of the metal stand.

Recommended Action
Medium Priority: Clean and refinish the 125 Confederation Anniversary plaque
following the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada specifications for plaque
repairs.
Scrape and apply a new coat of paint to the black metal stand.

4. Prime Ministers Grave Marker

Observation:
The Prime Ministers gravesite is marked by a substantial and finely-crafted
sarcophagus of polished granite. The monument is defined by three, stepped tiers of
stone ornamented with a leaf-like border and surmounted by a simple cross laid flat
across the top tier. It is inscribed with the word CREDO. The north side of the stone
bears an inscription with the Prime Ministers name, title of office, and the
circumstances of his sudden death at Windsor Castle. The boundaries of the gravesite
were originally defined by a low granite curb marked at the four corners by a stone
block which tapers at the top into a cross. This element is still evident on the south side
of the gravesite but the raised road bed has completely buried the curb on the other
three sides. Only the tops of the two corner stones are still visible.


GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 7 of 16

The sarcophagus itself is generally in very good condition although there is some
biological staining particularly on the top edges of the tiers. There are also a few minor
chips in the stone at the bottom corners which are the result of being hit by a lawn
mower. In response to this problem, cemetery management has placed gravel around
the base of many of the gravestones to provide better drainage and to prevent the
growth of grass around the grave markers. This action detracts from the appearance of
the gravesite and it has been of limited success as the grass is already spreading into
the gravel.

At some point the inscribed letters and some of the incised ornamentation were painted
white to be more legible. This paint is now fading and the Holy Cross Cemetery Trust
would like to have it touched up. The Trust feels that inscription provides interesting
historical information and it is difficult to read in its present state. In September 2011
Colleen Day, a Parks Canada conservator, prepared a report on the gravestone and
addressed the issue of the paint (See Appendix 1). According to the report there is
evidence that the paint is causing a slight deterioration of the stone by holding in
moisture but the increased rate of erosion as a result of the paint is very slight and not
considered to be a major concern. Generally applying paint to stone is not a
recommended action but the cemetery Trust has specifically requested that it be done.


Thompson sarcophagus will gravel placed around Inscription on the side of the grave marker. The white
painting is still very visible on the incised circular motif.
Recommended Actions:
Ongoing: Monitor condition of stone to determine when cleaning is required.

Low Priority: Explore alternative means of communicating the content of the
inscription that does not require a re-application of paint.



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 8 of 16
High Priority: Replace the gravel with grass and institute non-destructive methods of
trimming the grass at the base of the stone.

5. Other Grave Markers


Stone curb and cornerstones on the south side of the Broken corner marker on the northwest corner.
gravesite.

The granite curb has been buried on two sides and one of the cornerstones has
recently been broken. This is the result of the change in the grade of the adjacent
roadway. Once a new landscape plan has been developed to address this problem, the
corner stone should be repaired. (See Section 7: Other Landscape Features)

Recommended Action:
High Priority: Repair broken cornerstone to the granite curb.

6. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

Observation:
The grass around the gravesite is in healthy condition although the gravel around the
base of the gravestone detracts from the appearance of the site. (See Section 4: Prime
Ministers Grave Marker.) There is no other vegetation associated with the gravesite. At
the entrance area the limb of an adjacent tree limb is starting to encroach on the
flagpole.

Recommended Action:
Medium Priority: Trim the tree near the entrance so that is does not encroach on the
flagpole.



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 9 of 16

View of trees encroaching on the flag. New gravel that has been placed around the outside of the
gravestone.

7. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Observations:
The major problem with the site is the raised level of the road bed on the north side of
the gravesite. Although no original photos were available, it is probable that the
gravesite was originally designed for a flat terrain with the stone border and four corners
stones marking the outer boundaries of the site. Over the years the roadway along the
north side has been raised about 25 cm burying the curb on three sides and leaving
only the top of the cornerstones visible above the grass. The problem has been
exacerbated in the past year by the addition of another layer of gravel on the roadway
which now extends over top of the stone curb and into the lawn of the gravesite. The
gravel has been added to deal with the problem of drainage in that area but, as a result,
the tops of the stone markers are now surrounded by gravel and vulnerable to damage
by cemetery vehicles and snow clearing. In the past year the crossed top of the
northwest cornerstone lost two of its arms.

The Mainland Nova Scotia Field Unit has been in discussion with the Holy Cross Trust
as to how best address the problem. It has been suggested that bollards be installed
along the north side of the gravesite and that the soil be excavated to down to restore
the original ground level (See Appendix 2) but neither suggestion is considered ideal.



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 10 of 16

The Gravesite in 2001. The tip of the arrow points to the Gravesite in 2011. The tip of the arrow points to
top of the cornerstone. the top of the cornerstone. The road has moved
approximately 60 cm towards the gravesite.
The area around the flagpole and awareness panel is also of interest to the Cemetery
Trust. The panel and flagpole are in relatively good condition and the pavers at the
base of the pole have recently been re-laid in a level gravel bed and the weeds
removed. The Holy Cross Cemetery Trust would, however, like to work with Parks
Canada to make changes to this area. First, they would like to rotate the awareness
panel so that it is more visible from the street and possibly move the wrought iron fence
back a bit in this area so that it would not interfere with the view of the sign. They also
feel that some supplementary signage would be useful in directing visitors to the
gravesite. The Trust has contacted the Lower Mainland Field Unit about these possible
changes.


Entrance area. Entrance area as seen from South Park Street.


GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 11 of 16

Recommended Actions
High Priority: Determine the original configuration of the gravesite and develop a
landscape plan that would restore the gravesite to its original design, repair the damage
to the cornerstone, and protect the site from of vehicular traffic while addressing the
problem of drainage to the area.

High Priority: The landscape plan for the site should include a reconsideration of the
entrance area and any modifications that might improve the visibility and awareness of
the site.

3.0 PREVIOUS CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS

1999 Flagpole, three oak trees and the awareness panel were installed.

2001 Conservation Management Plan for the Gravesite of Sir John Sparrow
Thompson, January 2001.

2005 Evaluation of the Current State of the Gravesite of Right Honorable Sir John
Sparrow Thompson, prepared for Parks Canada, November 2005.

2011 Gravel added around the base of the Gravestone by the Holy Cross Cemetery.
The roadbed next to the gravesite was widen and raised with additional gravel.

4.0 ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The Mainland Nova Scotia Field have maintained good and close relations with Holy
Cross Cemetery but there are no clear guidelines or formal agreement with Parks
Canada as to the responsibilities and expectations of each organization. A conservation
plan has been prepared but this has not been given to the Holy Cross Cemetery.

5.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Awareness Panel
High Priority: Replace the oval portrait of Sir John Sparrow Thompson on the
awareness panel. Repaint the grey background and the Canadian flags in the
Government of Canada logo and the Canada wordmark.

Flagpole
High Priority: The flag pole manufacturer should be consulted to determine if there
is a more effective means of protecting and masking the base of the flagpole.


GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 12 of 16

125
th
Confederation Anniversary Plaque
Medium Priority: Clean and refinish the 125 Confederation Anniversary plaque
following the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada specifications for
plaque repairs.
Scrape and apply a new coat of paint to the black metal stand.

Former Prime Ministers Gravesite
Ongoing: Monitor condition of stone to determine when cleaning is required.

Low Priority: Explore alternative means of communicating the content of the
inscription that does not require a re-application of paint.

Medium Priority: Replace the gravel with grass and institute non-destructive
methods of trimming the grass at the base of the stone.

Other Grave Markers
High Priority: Repair broken cornerstone to the granite curb.

Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)
Medium Priority: Trim the tree near the entrance so that is does not encroach on
the flagpole.

Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)
High Priority: Determine the original configuration of the gravesite and develop a
landscape plan that would restore the gravesite to its original design, repair the
damage to the cornerstone, and protect the site from of vehicular traffic while
addressing the problem of drainage to the area.

High Priority: The landscape plan for the site should include a reconsideration of
the entrance area and any modifications that might improve the visibility and
awareness of the site.

Here is a summary of the recommended actions over the next five coming years:

Recommendations 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Awareness Panel Replace the
oval portrait
of Sir John
Sparrow



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 13 of 16
Thompson
on the
Awareness
Panel.
Repaint the
grey
background
and the
Canadian
flags in the
Governmen
t of Canada
logo and
the Canada
wordmark.
Flagpole The flag
pole
manufactur
er should
be
consulted
to
determine
if there is a
more
effective
means of
protecting
and
masking
the base of
the
flagpole.

125
th
Confederation
Anniversary
Plaque
Clean and
refinish the
125
Confeder
ation Anniv
ersary
plaque
following



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 14 of 16
the Historic
Sites and
Monuments
Board of
Canada
specific
ations for
plaque
repairs.
Scrape and
apply a
new coat of
paint to the
black metal
stand.
Former Prime
Ministers
Gravestone
Explore
alternative
means of
communica
ting the
content of
the
inscription
that does
not require
a re-
application
of paint.

Replace
the gravel
with grass
and
institute
non-
destructive
methods of
trimming
the grass at
the base of
the stone.

Monitor condition of stone to determine when cleaning is required.


GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 15 of 16
Other Grave
Markers
Repair
broken
cornerstone
to the
granite
curb.

Vegetation (trees,
lawn, flower bed)
Trim the
tree near
the
entrance so
that is does
not
encroach
on the
flagpole.

Landscape
features
(pavement,
benches and
others)

Determine
the original
configuratio
n of the
gravesite
and
develop a
landscape
plan that
would
restore the
gravesite to
its original
design,
repair the
damage to
the
cornerston
e, and
protect the
site from
vehicular
traffic while
addressing
the
problem of



GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS
MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report:
The Right Hon. Sir John Sparrow Thompson]

Page 16 of 16
drainage to
the area.
The
landscape
plan for the
site should
include a
reconsidera
tion of the
entrance
area and
any
modificatio
ns that
might
improve the
visibility
and
awareness
of the site.



6.0 APPENDIX

Appendix 1:
Gravestone: Sir John Thompson Condition Report, prepared by Colleen Day,
conservator, Atlantic Service Centre, Parks Canada, 21 September 2011.

Appendix 2:
Sketch drawing of proposed modifications to the Sir John Thompson Gravesite, Holy
Cross Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prepared by Asset Management, Mainland
Nova Scotia Field Unit, n.d.
APPENDIX 1

Gravestone: Sir John Thompson
Condition Report
Prepared by Colleen Day, September 21, 2011
Description: Granite Stone, fairly course grained. The inscriptions are shallowly inscribed. The inscribed
words have been painted with white paint, probably to increase the legibility of the inscription.
Background: Carla Wheaton (CRM Manager, HDC) requested a report on the stone as people where
concerned that the inscription was less legible than it had been.
During a review of available documentation, a memo from 1986 was discovered which was written in
response to a complaint about the maintenance of the stone. It suggests sampling the existing paint so
that a matching paint can be used to inpaint the inscription. At the time an analysis of the paint using
infrared spectrophotometry found it to be an oil paint containing titanium dioxide (a white pigment).
The analysis also noted that the paint contained mica, which originated from the stone.
Condition
In 1986 the condition was described as good, with a general dirty appearance from atmospheric
pollution, and algae and moss in the dark corners on the north side. The stone was then slightly tilted,
with biological growth and staining.
In 2009 the stone was examined. The inscription does not appear to be very worn. There is evidence of
soot and lichen growing in the inscription. There are bird droppings on the stone. There are small
crystals on the surfaces adjacent to the paint. Crystals are usually a sign that acid rain has dissolved
some of the stone, which recrystallizes as it dries. The base of the stone is encrusted with cut grass
where a line trimmer has been used right up to the stone, and there are scars in the stone from the
whipping action of the trimmer.
Discussion:
I have not found a record of why the inscription of the stone was painted in the first place. The report
from 1986 shows that painting is a long standing practice, and the painted appearance has come to be
expected by the public.
The paint on the stone is not protecting the stone, it is solely an aid to legibility. The crystals are
evidence that rain is dissolving some of the stone; the stone is probably porous enough to allow rain in
behind the paint and causing crystallization. The paint is interfering with even distribution of moisture in
the stone. It protects a narrow strip of stone from direct rain, but also stops damp from evaporating
once the rain stops. This eventually causes the paint to detach from the stone. The analysis of the paint
in 1986, which found mica from the stone in the paint, supports this argument.
However, any acceleration in the erosion of the inscription is not happening fast enough to be a real
concern. There is a slight preference for the leaving the stone completely unpainted. The existing paint
should not be scraped off with metal tools or wire brushes, or removed with strong chemicals --- it is
likely this would remove a thin layer of the stone.
It is not clear how long the stone has been in place and exposed to the weather, as the date of erection
is not marked on the stone, or known from documentary sources. On the whole, it is in very good shape
for a stone of its presumed age.


Recommendations:

1. Grass around the stone should be trimmed using hand held grass clippers. The line trimmers
being used are staining and damaging the stone.
2. If public perceptions allow, the inscription should be left unpainted.
3. A gentle cleaning with water, with or without a little mild soap, and a soft brush should be tried,
to see if this cleans the stone enough to give it an acceptable appearance. This will remove the
lichen, soot, and bird droppings.
4. If it proves desirable to paint it, great care should be taken in any preparation of the inscription.
Any existing paint that is firmly attached should be left in place.
5. Any chemical or solvent paint removal should be carried out under the guidance of a
conservator.
(
)

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APPENDIX 2

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APPENDIX 2