Dunstan Cemetery
Scarborough, Cumberland County, Maine, USA
For many decades leading up to the 1870s, a small burying ground—not maintained by the town—existed at the present site of Dunstan Cemetery. Then in 1878 the town paid $100 for a parcel of land that adjoined the common burying ground. The town surveyed the space, erected fencing, and renamed the combined site "Dunstan Cemetery." The town began selling lots soon after and managed the site, which became the town's first truly-public cemetery. In taking over management of this site, the town allowed local families to empty the burial lots on their private land and move the deceased into Dunstan. As a result, although the cemetery was not officially established until the latter part of the nineteenth-century, there are hundreds of records of burials for townspeople who died well before its establishment. Along with the remains of the deceased, families often also relocated the original grave-markers that had decorated their graves, so Dunstan today has a nice collection of slate markers from the early 1800s that are found throughout its four acres. Over time the cemetery was expanded at least four times. A Receiving Tomb was erected in the mid-1880s and for many years was used to store bodies of those who'd died in winter until spring thaw allowed final placement in the cemetery. Stained glass memorial windows at the front of the tomb honor two men who were important to Dunstan's early development. Dunstan is active today. It is well-maintained by the town and has record of over 2,000 burials.
For many decades leading up to the 1870s, a small burying ground—not maintained by the town—existed at the present site of Dunstan Cemetery. Then in 1878 the town paid $100 for a parcel of land that adjoined the common burying ground. The town surveyed the space, erected fencing, and renamed the combined site "Dunstan Cemetery." The town began selling lots soon after and managed the site, which became the town's first truly-public cemetery. In taking over management of this site, the town allowed local families to empty the burial lots on their private land and move the deceased into Dunstan. As a result, although the cemetery was not officially established until the latter part of the nineteenth-century, there are hundreds of records of burials for townspeople who died well before its establishment. Along with the remains of the deceased, families often also relocated the original grave-markers that had decorated their graves, so Dunstan today has a nice collection of slate markers from the early 1800s that are found throughout its four acres. Over time the cemetery was expanded at least four times. A Receiving Tomb was erected in the mid-1880s and for many years was used to store bodies of those who'd died in winter until spring thaw allowed final placement in the cemetery. Stained glass memorial windows at the front of the tomb honor two men who were important to Dunstan's early development. Dunstan is active today. It is well-maintained by the town and has record of over 2,000 burials.
Nearby cemeteries
- Added: 1 May 2007
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2215607
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