The Bert Hunt Heritage Award acknowledges outstanding contributions to the preservation of Richmond Hill’s past and efforts to raise awareness about the value of that past to the community and its citizens.
The award also acknowledges the contributions made by the late Bert Hunt to heritage conservation efforts in Richmond Hill over many years. Bert Hunt was recognized as a community volunteer and Citizen of the Year by both the Town of Richmond Hill and the Province of Ontario. His advocacy for a new museum in Richmond Hill was instrumental in launching a Museum Feasibility Study that saw widespread consultations and a final report that was accepted by Town council and now forms the basis of ongoing efforts to move towards the reality of a new Richmond Hill museum. Bert was also a leader in a project to preserve individual peoples’ stories of Richmond Hill, and his personal efforts to capture this invaluable historic resource were fundamental to its success. Bert Hunt was a tireless advocate for preserving Richmond Hill’s heritage and his contributions have been recognized on many occasions. The Bert Hunt Heritage Award is an attempt to acknowledge the legacy that is Bert Hunt’s lasting gift to our City.
The 2023 annual Bert Hunt Heritage award has been presented to the Archive Committee at St. Mary’s Anglican Church. The award was presented to David Hunt of the Archives Committee during the Richmond Hill Heritage Summit at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on September 10, 2023.
The Archives Committee was established in 2000 to organize, preserve, and maintain materials related to the history and heritage of the Parish. The Committee recognizes that the Archives collection may be of value to historians and genealogists and attempts to educate and enrich Parishioners and the community through tours, displays, talks and programs. Over the years, the Committee has participated in numerous activities within and beyond the parish, such as Doors Open, themed presentations for Sunday School children and in-depth tours and special events for community groups.
The Committee has become the “custodian” of the historic Arnold Plot and were active participants on their Chapel restoration Committee. In addition, the Committee has also published two works: Gladdening Light: A Walk Around Guide to Our Heritage In Stained Glass, as well as St. Mary’s Anglican Church: 50th Anniversary of the New Sanctuary – 1964-2014.
Richmond Hill Historical Society 