Owing to the renovations happening at Central Library, the Richmond Hill Historical Society will be holding its September meeting in Ed’s Room at Elgin Barrow Arena at 43 Church St S in Richmond Hill. The meeting room is located on the second floor and is accessible by elevator.
Join us at 6:30 on Tuesday, September 15th to socialize before the start of the meeting at 7:00 pm.
We are pleased to welcome Society member Bob Blanchard to share his stories of growing up in Richmond Hill. Bob has written a history of the Village and Town covering his early life in Richmond Hill.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026; 6:30 pm The Demise of a Village Culture
We will return to our usual meeting location for Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 pm in Rooms A & B at Central Library, 1 Atkinson Street.
Doris Leno and Cheryl Butler during Village Day at the Mill Pond in 1989.
Each year the Richmond Hill Historical society gives a community member or organization the Bert Hunt Award.
The Bert Hunt Heritage Certificate 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. Bert Hunt was recognized as community volunteer and Citizen of the Year by both the City of Richmond Hill and the Province of Ontario as he tirelessly advocated for preserving Richmond Hill’s history. The award attempts to acknowledge the legacy Bert Hunt gifted to the City.
The Richmond Hill Historical Society wishes to honour one of our dedicated members — Cheryl Butler. An advocate in the preservation of history and heritage in her personal and professional life, Cheryl has exhibited the many qualities for this award.
Cheryl Butler and other Richmond Hill Historical Society members at the Founders Day celebration at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery in June 1988.
As a member of the previous Richmond Hill Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC), Richmond Hill Historical Society and affiliate member of the Ontario Historical Society, Cheryl continues to support the culture of our forefathers in all aspects of her community work.
An earlier endeavor was the restoration of the Burr House located on Carrville Avenue which helped lead to the creation of the Richmond Hill Historical Society. The Local Architectural Conservation advisory Committee later became the Heritage Committee of the City of Richmond Hill advocating for the recognition and potential designation of Heritage buildings and sites in Richmond Hill.
The Heritage Centre on Church Street, the artifact collection along with RHHS can be contributed to her tireless efforts. Speaking of RHHS, Cheryl has not only been an active member but past President for several years as well as serving on the Executive. Her contributions at meetings and newsletter submissions continue to enrich our group.
When necessary, Cheryl has spoken at community meetings when heritage buildings are in peril. As a retired College professor, her students benefitted from her knowledge of Ontario and local history.
Community advocate, writer, historian, teacher, and resident, Cheryl is a worthy recipient of this award.
David Dunlap Observatory Administration Building (photograph by Peter Wilson)
Explore the stories of women who made significant contributions to astronomy with a new exhibit at the David Dunlap Observatory!
This exhibit features artifacts connected to Helen Sawyer Hogg, Ruth Northcott, and Jessie Dunlap and highlights their work in research, education, and public outreach. Presented by the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto.
On display at until Fall 2026. Explore the exhibit during tour hours.
Plan your visit today by visiting the DDO website.
Doors Open Richmond Hill will be held this Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm at sites across Richmond Hill. Visit with the Richmond Hill Historical Society, who will be onsite at the Richmond Hill Artifact Collection at 1200 Elgin Mills Road East.
The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to announce the confirmation of their Executive for the 2026 year. They are as follows:
Jim Vollmershausen, President Agnes Parr, Vice President Andrea Kulesh, Treasurer Vera Tachtaul, Secretary Marion Vollmershausen, Membership Kevin Dark, Programming Barbara Di Mambro, Publicity
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre On display from January 24 – February 28
Sharing narratives of significant contributors to Ontario’s Black history with select profiles on loan from the Ontario Black History Society. This exhibit highlights the stories of Black Ontarians from the early 1600s to early 1900s who shaped our province’s history from enslavement to emancipation, and early settlement, underscoring themes of resilience, leadership, and community‑building.
Visit the galleries and exhibit displays inside the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, showcasing the rich heritage and history of Richmond Hill. Located at 19 Church Street. These exhibits are suitable for all ages.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026; 6:30 pm Speaker: Jessica Allen
We are very excited to welcome Jessica Allen to our February meeting to speak to us about Grace Marks, a key figure in a key historical event in Richmond Hill in 1843.
This talk explores one of the most enduring historical mysteries in Canadian history: the story of Grace Marks, convicted in 1843 for the murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. Using trial records, found archives and newspaper coverage, the presentation looks at domestic service in 1840s Richmond Hill and the social realities faced by young working women, then traces the case from the events surrounding the murders through the investigation, the trial, and Grace’s imprisonment at Kingston Penitentiary. The talk also highlights the local connections that bring the story into the Richmond Hill area, and ends with the unresolved question that has kept the case alive for more than 180 years: what happened to Grace Marks after she disappeared from the historical record.
We invite you to join us at 6:30 pm in Room B at Richmond Hill Public Library’s Central Library at 1 Atkinson Street on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. We will begin the evening with some social time before Jessica’s talk at 7:00 pm.
2025 was a very busy and productive year for the Richmond Hill Historical Society. We are pleased to provide this detailed recap as reported by President Jim Vollmershausen.
In celebration of iconic Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, this Richmond Hill Heritage Centre exhibit showcases costume designs inspired by her beloved novel Anne of Green Gables. The featured reproductions are of original designs by award-winning costume designer Martha Mann, on loan from the Toronto Public Library’s Special Collections in the Arts. Presented alongside artifacts from the Richmond Hill Artifact Collection, this exhibit invites visitors to explore how storytelling, design and heritage come together to shape cultural memory—offering inspiration that continues to resonate across generations.
Visit this exhibit at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, showcasing the rich heritage and history of Richmond Hill. Located at 19 Church Street. These exhibits are suitable for all ages.
Richmond Hill Historical Society 