by Barbara Di Mambro
Each year the Richmond Hill Historical Society acknowledges the outstanding contributions of an individual or group in preserving and raising awareness of the value of Richmond Hill’s history, through the Bert Hunt Heritage Award.
During his lifetime, Bert Hunt made active contributions to heritage conservation efforts in Richmond Hill. As a leader in a project to preserve individual peoples’ Richmond Hill stories and his personal efforts to capture them in the hopes of creating a Richmond Hill Museum, he was an outstanding resident. He was recognized as a community volunteer and Citizen of the Year by the City of Richmond Hill and the Province of Ontario.
The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to announce that the 2024 award has been bestowed on Vera Tachtaul, who began and continues to administer the highly successful and engaging Richmond Hill/GTA – Then and Now Facebook page.
In our modern world where social media has become the norm, Vera has reached out to Richmond Hill residents, past and present, for the last 12 years. With over 6,700 followers and climbing, the site has an array of historical
and nostalgic stories about people, places and events occurring in Richmond Hill over many decades. Initially Vera started with her own photos, but as interest grew, contributions are regularly received by community members.
Photos, ideas, brochures, class pictures, business memorabilia and many other items are provided by previous residents, as well as those living in the area. Stories are shared and the comments serve to enrich our history even further. The page is such an incredible opportunity to learn about the history, heritage, and the famous and not so famous people who have lived in Richmond Hill.
The Richmond Hill Historical Society posts on this page to promote all its endeavors such as monthly meetings, articles about heritage and other items of interest to the community. Meeting the criteria of tangible and intangible heritage it demonstrates all the reasons worthy of the Bert Hunt Heritage Award.
Vera Tachtaul, with her enthusiasm for history and heritage, as well as encouraging the nostalgia of family, friends and acquaintances, maintains a
vibrant, versatile place where Richmond Hill can be seen as a positive, fun and lifelong home, while providing information for so many people.
The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased and humbled by the work and effort by Vera. Giving her the Bert Hunt Heritage Award has been our pleasure and honour.
Previous winners: RH Presbyterian Church; RH Lawn Bowling Club; Burr House; and the Archives Committee at St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
Learn more about our Bert Hunt Heritage Award.
Richmond Hill Historical Society 