Eastport
Story
Following erosion problems at Little’s Cove, the Town of Eastport purchased land in 1818 and began relocating burials to the inland parcel that would become known as Hillside Cemetery. Standing out from the memorial landscape are the entrances to two early 19th century tombs located at the eastern edge, the oldest portion of Hillside. The contrasting mansard roof silhouettes of the above-ground entry chambers set them apart. The convex roof tops the Masonic Tomb, which was completed on October 14, 1828, for the local Masons of Eastern Lodge, No. 7. Mutual aid provided by members of fraternal organizations of the time commonly included a dignified burial and this structure represents one of the earliest examples of a tomb constructed by Masons for this purpose in the United States. The concave mansard roof tops the Shackford, Hayden, and Kilby Tomb, collectively built for use by the namesake families sometime in the 1840s. Below ground, both tombs are constructed of brick and feature a central arched chamber, with the Masonic Temple boasting two additional chambers on each side. Brick walls connect the entrances.
The tombs were used as burial chambers, with burial caskets placed inside. In the case of the Masonic Tomb and the Shackford, Hayden, and Kilby Tomb, they were later used as temporary storage for caskets until burial could take place elsewhere in the cemetery. They have been out of use for many years yet remain as defining landmarks within Eastport’s historic Hillside Cemetery. The Maine Historic Preservation Commission has determined Hillside Cemetery is eligible for listing the National Register of Historic Places and that the tombs themselves may be individually eligible for listing.
Threat
Hillside Cemetery is owned by the City of Eastport and is a publicly accessible green space for residents and visitors alike. Following decades of deferred maintenance, the tombs and retaining walls have significantly deteriorated and are perceived as a risk to public safety. The condition of the brick retaining wall extending from the Masonic Tomb was of such concern that the City of Eastport installed an earthen mound in front of it in attempts to secure it from collapse. While there is staff to maintain the cemetery, there are neither the available resources nor capacity to repair and maintain the tombs.
With the permission of the City, The Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA) retained restoration mason David Leeman of Knox Masonry to examine the tombs and retaining walls. He concluded that cracks had developed in the brick construction of the interior of the two tombs with the most significant found in the Shackford, Hayden, and Kilby Tomb. The walls connecting and flanking both tombs would either need to be rebuilt or significantly repaired. In all, repairs may cost as much as $150,000, with a third of that going towards the retaining walls.
How to Get Involved
Additional local voices, backed by regional support, would show the City of Eastport that the tombs are worthy of preservation and that the City has the mandate it needs to act. In May 2026, TIMA organized a Jane’s Walk tour of Hillside Cemetery, including the two tombs, led by local historian Wayne Wilcox. Nearly 60 people attended the tour!
We encourage Eastport residents to call on their locally elected officials to coordinate with community stakeholders to develop a phased repair plan that would stabilize the structures in the short term and set long-term preservation goals. Residents can also encourage the City to pursue listing in the National Register of Historic Places, which could help unlock critical funding opportunities. There has also been discussion of resurrecting the defunct Friends of Hillside Cemetery group, which could organize direct assistance to the historic property and support the City in fundraising efforts.
Photos Credits: Thaddeus Holownia, Charles E. Brown, Hugh French
