Blog

Call for Directors

In recent months, two of the Society’s long serving Executive members have announced plans to leave their positions.

We need to find a new Director of Programming, an important position that arranges speakers that we trust will be of interest to our members. Kevin Dark has served this role for many years, and I think the Society has been well served. The breadth of topics and the quality of speakers have been great, and we recognize the challenge associated with maintaining such success. We also know that there are people among our membership who are more than able to continue with this work.

We also need a new Treasurer, another important position on the Executive that sets up our budget, tracks our income and our expenditures and presents financial statements monthly. Andrea Kulesh has been carrying out this role for the last few years, and again, I feel the Society has been well served in terms of budget management and keeping the books. We know, too, that there are people out there who are comfortable with numbers and bookkeeping.

New Directors-at-Large

Our new By-laws limit us to ten Directors on our Executive, and we have been managing with eight for a number of years now. As we work to be faithful to our new By-laws and the vision, missions and objectives inherent in our role as a Historical Society, it is becoming clear that we will need more help to guide the Society realize those. Adding two Directors-at-Large to the Executive would be an important shot in the arm would be a big help!

Again, we know there are people out there who would be willing to join the Executive to help us continue moving the Society forward.

We are hoping to hear from you!

So, there you have it. We are looking for four people among our membership to step up to help your Executive guide the Society, continue to present a great program of speakers and presentations, manage our income and expenditures and generally keep the Richmond Hill Historical Society running.

The ideal situation would be for interested people to identify themselves over the next couple of months and confirm a new Executive at our next Annual General Meeting on January 19, 2027.

We are hoping to hear from you!

Jim Vollmershausen
President

New Vision, Mission and Objectives Approved

As a result of the approval in 2025 of our Society’s new By-laws by the Executive and the membership, the Executive has begun reviewing all the procedures and guidelines that influence the management of the Society and ensure that we are, in fact, managing the Society in accordance with the directions set out in the By-laws. An early candidate in this process was a look at the Society’s Vision.

Initially, the Society’s Vision was limited to a purpose statement at the beginning of our original by-laws. Through our review, it became clear that in order for us to achieve our vision, we needed supporting mission statements, which revolved around our membership, our relationships with other organizations, our support for the City’s archive and artifact collection, an awareness of the Society within the community, the need to educate our citizens, and advocacy for the preservation of historic buildings.

With clear new mission statements, a set of more detailed objectives would be required to oversee the Society and its work. The result of this discussion is a Vision/Mission/Objectives framework designed to assist the Executive – and members – in moving our Society forward in such a way that it influences our community and the vision statement in our By-laws can be realized. It allows us to review progress, identify shortcomings and describe goals that contribute to meeting our Objectives.

The complete vision, missions and objectives may be found on our Vision, Missions and Objectives page. If you have any comments, they would be certainly welcomed.

Colonel David Bridgford Monument Dedication

Colonel David Bridgford monument at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery (photograph courtesy Barbara DiMambro)

The Richmond Hill Historical Society was pleased to join Bridgford family descendants, City officials, Church officials, the Royal Canadian Legion, War of 1812 reenactors, community organizations and other dignitaries at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church on October 3, 2026 for the dedication of a new monument to Colonel David Bridgford and Lucy Bridgford.

Colonel David Bridgford (1791–1868) was an important figure in the early history of Richmond Hill. A veteran of the War of 1812, he served with the 3rd Regiment of the York Militia and participated in the Battle of Detroit, for which he was awarded the General Service Medal.

The Richmond Hill Historical Society, represented in the acknowledgements by Jim Vollmershausen, was honoured to contribute to the new monument, helping ensure that the story of this important Richmond Hill family is remembered for generations to come.

War of 1812 Reenactors with cannon (photograph courtesy Barbara DiMambro)

Today, the monument at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church gives David and Lucy Bridgford a permanent place of remembrance within the community they helped build.

We were honoured to be there to remember Colonel David Bridgford and Lucy Bridgford, and proud that the Richmond Hill Historical Society could play a part in ensuring their story continues to be told.

Richmond Hill Mayor David West sharing his remarks at the ceremony (photograph courtesy Barbara DiMambro)

A full video of the ceremony can be viewed on the 1812andmore YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDghFeUYqLA&t=3s.

Learn more about David Bridford and Bridgford family from the Richmond Hill Public Library’s Digital Archive at https://rhpl.minisisinc.com//SCRIPTS/MWIMAIN.DLL/144/DESCRIPTION/web_detail_desc?SESSIONSEARCH&exp=sisn%20295

September Meeting at Elgin Barrow Arena

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.

Cheryl Butler Awarded 2026 Bert Hunt Heritage Award

Colour image of Doris Leno and Cheryl Butler during Village Day at the Mill Pond in 1989.
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.

Colour image of Cheryl Butler and other Richmond Hill Historical Society members at the Founders Day celebration at the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery in June 1988.
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.

Congratulations Cheryl!

For a complete list of past recipients, please visit our Bert Hunt Heritage Award page.

Into Focus: Women in Toronto Astronomy

A photograph of the Administration Building at the David Dunlap Observatory
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 – Saturday, May 9, 2026

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.

Other notable historical sites include:

For a complete list of locations, visit the official Doors Open Richmond Hill site.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Maple Syrup Festival

Save the date for Mayor David West’s Maple Syrup Festival, Richmond Green Sports Complex, Saturday, March 28, 2026; 10 am – 3 pm

Join us at Mayor David West’s Maple Syrup festival, and support the Richmond Hill Historical Society through the purchase of delicious maple syrup.

Mayor David West's Maple Syrup Festival Poster, Richmond Green Sports Complex, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10 am to 3 pm Admission is free! Please bring a non-perishable donation for the Richmond Hill Food Bank. Join us for this free, family friendly community event and enjoy a celebration of maple syrup and spring. Pancake breakfast, fun contests, education and entertainment, community groups.

Interested in volunteering for the Society at the event, drop us a line at r.hillhistsoc@gmail.com.

Society Confirms 2026 Executive

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

External Representatives

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

Black Stories in Ontarian History

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.

Gallery Hours:

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