Peter Wilson

RHDDO 90th Anniversary

90th Anniversary Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory; photograph of a line leading to the door of the Observatory

Celebrating 90 years of discovery and exploration, the RHDDO has inspired generations with its breathtaking views of the cosmos. As a national attraction and treasured educational facility, the RHDDO has brought the wonders of the universe closer to countless visitors, sparking imaginations and igniting a passion for astronomy.

Join us for a weekend-long celebration of recognizing nine decades of celestial discovery, community engagement and a bright future of astronomical adventure. Come explore the stars with us and see how far we’ve come!

Saturday, May 31, 1 – 5 p.m. Tour the RHDDO
Saturday, May 31, 8:30 – 11 p.m. Stargazing Party
Sunday, June 1, 1 – 5 p.m. Tour the RHDDO
Sunday, June 1, 9 – 11 p.m. Happy 90th Birthday David Dunlap Observatory!

For more information, please visit the City of Richmond Hill website.

Standing in the Doorway: March 29 – August 16, 2025

Standing in the Doorway: Lived Histories and Experiences of the Chinese Community

縈繞中華文化: 華人社區歷史和生活展覽

萦绕中华文化: 华人社区历史和生活展览

On display at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre from March 29 to August 16, 2025.

Home. Place. Belonging. Throughout Canadian history, people of Chinese descent have contributed to the development of our nation. They resisted and persevered, overcoming stereotypes, labels, and racist policies. They created homes and built places and spaces to foster connection and community.

Now, we commemorate and remember the contributions of Chinese Canadians over the past 100 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act. Explore, learn, and listen to the stories, traditions and knowledge of the diverse Chinese Canadian community from York Region.

Learn more about the exhibit from Mike Adler’s article “‘Standing in the Doorway’: Exhibit on the ‘dark history’ Chinese Canadians experienced at Richmond Hill Heritage Centre” for the Richmond Hill Liberal (May 6, 2025)

This exhibit was developed by the Markham Museum and the York Region District School Board Museum and Archives working in conjunction with YRDSB students, and the University of Toronto Museum Studies program.

Learn more about the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre by visiting their site at https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/learn-more/Richmond-Hill-Heritage-Centre.aspx.

See us at the Spring Fair!

Come find our booth at Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan’s Spring Fair on Saturday, May 25, 2025 from noon until 3 pm. The Spring Fair returns this year to a new venue, Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd E, Richmond Hill.

The Spring Fair offers food, children’s activities, performances and door prizes. It is also a great opportunity to meet a variety of local groups and to meet with your neighbours for an enjoyable afternoon.

Take the opportunity to learn more about the Richmond Hill Historical Society and consider becoming a member!

We hope to see you there!

May 20, 2025 Meeting; 6:30 pm

Join us for our next regular member’s meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 where Maggie Mackenzie from the City of Richmond Hill will tell the story of Growing Up Yonge. This is the first of two presentations to the Society by Maggie, Heritage Coordinator in the City’s Community Services Department. This first talk will cover the 19th Century.

Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe officially stablished Yonge Street in the 1790s. A military road from the Town of York ( now Toronto ) to Holland Landing, Yonge Street opened up the northern part of York County. Richmond Hill was an essential stopping point along the two-day journey.

Gather to visit at 6:30 pm, talk begins at 7:00 pm. Our regular meetings are held in Rooms A & B, 2nd Floor, Central Branch, Richmond Hill Public Library
1 Atkinson Street

Maple Syrup Festival, Saturday, April 12, 2025

Mark your calendars for my annual Maple Syrup Festival!

Join me for all your favourite maple syrup themed activities, including a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup. This free community event is important to me for two reasons: firstly because after a long, cold winter we can have an opportunity to gather with friends and neighbours and celebrate spring and secondly because I am a passionate amateur syrup maker and love to share this sweet part of our Canadian culture with Richmond Hill residents.

This year we will continue to have our maple syrup making demonstration and tasting booth, samples of delicious uses for maple products, and of course, thanks to our Richmond Hill Historical Society, you can purchase some of the good stuff to take home with you (all proceeds go to the RHHS). Admission is free and we ask that attendees bring a non-perishable food donation for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank.

Together with numerous community groups, entertainers, and educators, I know it will be a fantastic day celebrating Richmond Hill community and Canadian tradition.

I look forward to sharing this sweet festival with the residents of Richmond Hill. See you there!

Saturday April 12, 2025, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Richmond Green Sports Complex
at 1300 Elgin Mills Road East.
www.DavidWest-RichmondHill.ca/MSF

Sincerely,

Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill Remembers: Artifacts Past and Present

Exhibit on display from February 1 to March 15 at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre

Explores the theme of cataloging and juxtaposing historical local artifacts with items that define our current identities and stories. Students from Richmond Hill High School explored imagery from the Richmond Hill Artifact Collection as a foundation for examining their own life narratives. We present a collection of objects as a “memory box” with artifacts that have their own story to tell. Through a blend of two and three dimensional techniques and arrangements, the exhibit highlights an intersection of past and present, offering a unique connection on local history and culture. Each memory box allows viewers to explore the rich heritage of Richmond Hill through the eyes of emerging artists. The exhibit offers students a platform to foster personal reflection, growth, communicate their creative expression, and nurture a connection to their community.

The Richmond Hill Heritage Centre is located in the Amos Wright House at 19 Church St North, Richmond Hill.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesdays 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursdays 4 – 8 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Society Confirms 2025 Executive

The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to announce the confirmation of their Executive for the 2025 year. They are as follows:

Jim Vollmershausen, President
Andrea Kulesh, Vice President & Treasurer
Vera Tachtaul, Secretary
Marion Vollmershausen, Membership
Kevin Dark, Programming
Barbara Di Mambro, Publicity

External Representatives

Agnes Parr, Heritage Richmond Hill
David Hunt, Heritage Centre Advisory Committee

AGM Tomorrow Night!

Join us tomorrow night (Tuesday, January 21) for the Richmond Hill Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting and always popular bring and brag!

Learn about what your Society has been up to over the past year and help elect the Executive for 2025. This meeting gives you an opportunity to hear from each member of your Executive about their activities during the course of the past year, and, of great importance, also gives you the opportunity to vote for your new Executive.

After the AGM we will have our very popular bring and brag. Do you have a favourite artifact, family heirloom or item with a unique story? We invite you to bring it to the meeting to share with other members.

The AGM starts at 7:00 pm in Rooms A & B on the second floor of Central Library at 1 Atkinson Street.

See you there!

Find us at the Mayor’s Levee (January 11)

The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to have been invited to participate in Mayor David West’s Levee on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The event will be held, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Langstaff Community Centre on Red Maple Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGeRf4LtN8R1nWNY7).

Come out to chat with us and get the chance to meet and talk with councillors, local MPs, MPPs, executives of the Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services and York Regional Police representatives.

No registration is required for this informal event; the perfect way to kick of 2025!

Curtain Club Fundraiser – January 23, 2025

Thanks to the generosity of The Curtain Club Theatre, the Richmond Hill Historical Society has been given a really great opportunity to fundraise. They have approved our request to be part of their Charity Night Program and offered us 25 tickets for their play All My Sons on January 23, 2025.

The play description:

During the Second World War, Joe Keller and Herbert Deever ran a machine shop making airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts while Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe lead to an unforgettable conclusion to a play electrifying in its intensity.

The doors open at 7:15 PM and showtime is 8:00 PM.

The tickets are $20.00 each.

If you are interested, or if you have friends or family that might be interested, please contact Andrea Kulesh at andrea-kulesh at hotmail.com, or (905) 884-2789 as soon as possible and we will hold your seats for you. Your tickets will be available when you arrive at the theatre.

Our deep gratitude to The Curtain Club and our thanks for your support.