Richmond Hill Historical Society President Jim Vollmershausen with the world’s tallest lumberjack? (Photograph by Vera Tachtaul)
Another year and another successful Mayor West’s Maple syrup Festival. On Saturday April 6th, the Richmond Hill Historical Society joined in with this annual event at Richmond Green. Weather is always a consideration for outside activities and this year we were able to enjoy the day both inside and out. The event began at 10:00 a.m., continued through to 3:00 p.m. and was very well attended. The activities were expanded including wagon rides, taffy tasting and demonstrations for everyone to enjoy seeing how maple syrup is made. There was great entertainment, raffles and pancakes served with delicious maple syrup. Carrick Bros supplied the maple products we were selling this year for our annual fundraiser. They expanded their product list to include yummy maple cream, maple sugar and flavored syrup aged in bourbon, cherry brandy, apple brandy and even tequila barrels!
My personal favorite was the fellow on stilts dressed as a lumberjack. He was very entertaining, performed throughout the event, and was popular with young and old.
A special cameo appearance by the Winter Carnival’s own mascot Ookpik (Photograph by Vera Tachtaul)
At the planning committee, numbers were being estimated to be more than last year. It was hard to tell this year with the surges of people entering the event but there were lots and lots of families enjoying the free pancakes and learning about how to make maple syrup. There will be a tally at our follow-up meeting but I’m sure it was well over 2000 people.
Our booth was very busy, and we were selling all day long. We had a bit of inventory returned at the end, but we did very well in a 5-hour fundraising effort. Jim will make a report when we get the final numbers tallied.
Thank you to members who attended and supported the Society and thank you to all of our wonderful member volunteers who made the day such a success! We thank Mayor West and his great team once again for including us as part of the event.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 7:00 pm The Knights of Columbus Council 14411 Speaker: Francis Gabriel, Knights of Columbus Room B, 2nd Floor, Central Branch, Richmond Hill Public Library 1 Atkinson Street
Join us as Gabriel talks about the history of the Knights of Columbus in general and about Our Lady Queen of the World Council 14411 in particular, including present-day activities of the council.
Mrs. H. H. MacKay unveiling the Women’s Institute plaque with Edna Izzard representing the Library Board. The plaque commemorates the Institute’s contribution to the library in 1949. (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds)
The first Women’s Institute (WI) was formed in Stoney Creek, Ontario on February 19, 1897 by Erland and Janet Lee, who invited approximately 100 women to hear educational reformer Adelaide Hoodless. Ms. Hoodless turned the personal tragedy of the death of her 14 month old son into a movement that encouraged women to see the importance of domestic science education and to be advocates in areas of health, education and community service. Since its inception, there have been upwards of 1,500 branches of the WI across the province of Ontario. While most have disbanded over the years, the Institute continues with 220 active branches across the province. Their motto “For Home and Country” was adopted by the Institute around 1904.
RICHMOND HILL WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
Head table at the 40th Anniversary of the Richmond Hill Women’s Institute, January 8, 1953. (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds, 079a)
The Richmond Hill branch of the Women’s Institute (RHWI) was formed in 1913 and held its organizational meeting on January 27th at the Masonic Hall on Yonge Street. The first keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Lillian Langstaff, who spoke on the topic of “Facts about Flies,” beginning a long history of talks on home economics and health. Presentations and demonstrations included sewing and dressmaking, baking, canning and preserving, flower arranging and more. Monthly meetings presented opportunities to socialize, learn and develop skills, pursue personal interests, but perhaps most importantly, to plan and carry out work to the benefit of the entire community.
Richmond Hill Women’s Institute Program for 1914-1915 (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds, 075-01a)
The lasting impact of the RHWI was in their educational, charitable and civic-minded pursuits. Some key highlights included: the introduction of medical inspections in schools resulting in the appointment of school nurses; actively working towards obtaining the rights of women to vote; advocating for playgrounds for children; the introduction of litter receptacles on Richmond Hill streets and the beautification of village in cooperation with the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society; and the donation of pianos and other furnishings to our elementary and secondary schools. The Institute also undertook years of advocating and fundraising for a new public library building, which culminated in a donation in 1949 of over $1,700 dollars. That library would eventually be built on Wright Street in 1959.
The Women’s Institute also undertook war and relief work, which began in 1914 with the purchase of cloth to be rolled into bandages for a women’s hospital ship. In that same year, food was gathered for soldier’s families in need. Collections were undertaken for Belgian and Armenian relief. Members helped support the Red Cross as well as providing donations for war relief. During the Depression, they undertook relief work, in cooperation with teachers, for the unemployed.
Richmond Hill Women’s Institute float during parade to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Richmond Hill Agricultural Society, May 24, 1949. (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds, 080a)
Representatives of the Richmond Hill WI were appointed to a number of boards across the community, where they were able to add an important voice to decisions being made for the benefit of all. Their focus on women’s issues and education positioned them well for having a profound and valuable impact to the lives of residents. Their spirit and drive helped them support many in need, not just in our community, but around the world. Their accomplishments and impact on people’s lives is impossible to fully articulate here.
TWEEDSMUIR HISTORY OF RICHMOND HILL
Postcard of Yonge Street looking north from the steeple of the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church in 1908 from the Tweedsmuir History of Richmond Hill. (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds)
One of the most valuable and enduring legacies of the RHWI is the Tweedsmuir History of Richmond Hill. The Richmond Hill Public Library holds the original and digitized copies. The Tweedsmuir History Books, chronicles of local history, were created all across Ontario in the name of John Buchan, The Right Honourable The Lord Tweedsmuir, Governor General of Canada from 1935-1940.
The Tweedsmuir History of Richmond Hill was begun in April 1949 and transferred into its final form in 1957. The work was coordinated by their Tweedsmuir History Committee and is in the form of a scrapbook with a mix of typed and scrapbook pages. It contains a number of photographs, newspaper clippings, postcards, letters, family histories, and other ephemera covering a wide variety of current events of the day, local individuals and families, and historically significant local events.
Members of the Richmond Hill Women’s Institute in costume to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Richmond Hill Agricultural Society, May 24, 1949. Left to right: Mrs. W. Sayers, Mrs. O.L. Wright, Mrs. J.P. Wilson, Mrs. H.H. Mackay, Mrs. Rabinovitch, Mrs. Blanchard, Mrs. Pipher, Mrs. N. Glass, Miss Annie Stong. (Richmond Hill Public Library, Tweedsmuir History Fonds, 080b)
They say that all good things must come to an end and this is what transpired for the RHWI, officially disbanding in 1964. For a write up of the end of the Institute, see “Richmond Hill Women’s Institute,” in The Liberal, June 25, 1964, p. 2 (https://history.rhpl.ca/3216109/page/3). For home and country and for everything (and everyone) in between; our lives and communities have been made better from their enduring legacy.
Peter Wilson is a librarian at the Richmond Hill Public Library and editor of the Richmond Hill Historical Society’s newsletter and website.
• a history and records of achievement of the Institute
• recounting the early days in Richmond Hill
• biographies of early settlers: Abner Miles, Hugh Shaw, Col. Wilmot, John Stooks, Col. David Bridgford, James Miles, John Stegman, the de Puisaye settlers, Quetton St. George, Col. Robert Moodie, the Playters and the Langstaff family
• a history of Yonge Street
• a history of early mills in Richmond Hill
• biographical sketches of notable past residents: Amos Wright, William Wright, William Powell, Susannah Maxwell, Matthew Teefy, Alex Hume, Thomas McMahon, Nicholas Miller, William Trench, Francis Boyd, the Wilkie family, Robert Marsh, John Switzer, David Boyle, Samuel Thompson, John Coulter, Leslie Innes and Robert Hopper
• listing of the village residents of 1871
• listing of Reeves and Councillors
• school and church histories
• history of the mechanics’ institute and library
• unique historical documents related to Thomas Kinnear, murdered with Nancy Montgomery in 1843
• residents who served in First and Second World Wars
• histories of the Atkinson and Trench families
• reminiscences of Dr. Rolph Langstaff (1950s)
• extensive coverage of current events of the 1950s
The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to announce the confirmation of their Executive for the 2023 year. They are as follows:
Jim Vollmershausen, President Andrea Kulesh, Treasurer Vera Tachtaul, Secretary Marion Vollmershausen, Membership Kevin Dark, Programming Barbara Di Mambro, Publicity
As we continue to celebrate the Society’s 50th Anniversary, we are sharing articles from past issues of our membership magazine. In honour of our anniversary, we look back to the Christmas 1994 issue of Heritage on the Hill and this article by Jim Monkman looking back to Christmas work at the post office from 1945-48.
The Toronto Postal Delivery Building at Bay Street and Lake Shore Boulevard. It was commissioned by the Federal Government in 1938 and designed by architect Charles Dolphin. Completed in 1940, it was immediately taken over by the Department of National Defence. It was returned to Canada Post near the end of 1946 and was refitted for its intended use. Part of the building has been incorporated into the Air Canada Centre, home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. (Photograph: Toronto Harbour Commissioners / Library and Archives Canada / PA-098562)
Recently Avonelle and I attended a Band Concert at Roy Thomson Hall with Nancy and Bill Price.
I insisted on driving to the concert because some years ago, when I retired, from work in downtown Toronto, I vowed that I would try and avoid ever using the subway system again- thus it was that we were all sitting in the car waiting for the traffic light at Lakeshore Boulevard and Bay Street to turn green. That was when Nancy pointed to a building on the north west corner and said ‘that looks like the building where I used to work sorting Christmas mail.’ I replied that indeed that must have been the building because that was where I had been similarly employed at Christmas when I was in High School.
I was a teenager in the middle to late 1940’s. Mail handling and sorting was done manually. No computer sorting and postal codes in those days. To handle the volume of mail at Christmas the Post Office would hire part time help.
As I recall in those days there wasn’t much part time work for students throughout the school year, except for paper routes and family businesses. None of my associates had part time jobs and any opportunity to make some money for Christmas was eagerly sought. When I was about fifteen my parents finally gave in to my pleas and agreed to let me try and get a Christmas job with the Post Office. The procedure to get such employment was simple. One went to Jack Smith’s Richmond Hill Liberal Newspaper Office, which was located in an old building on the east side of Yonge Street, immediately south of Bill Neal’s and opposite the Public School. The person at the front desk usually knew every one by name, often it was Jim Grainger, and you told him you would like a job at the Post Office on the midnight shift and your name would be put on the list.
For the next few weeks my parents never had to remind me to pick up the mail at the Post Office on the way home from school at noon. All who had applied for such work checked every day to see if a letter notifying them when to start had arrived. At last the notification for me and my compatriots came. Eagerly we checked the details of our employment. This was important to us as we had to attend our regular classes at school. The day shift was of no use to us and the 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. was no good because classes did not end ’till 3:30 which didn’t leave us enough travel time. We always applied for the 11:00 p.m to 7:00 a.m. shift which allowed us some time after school for study and sleep before leaving for work about. 10:00 p.m. and enough time to get back to Richmond Hill for school at 9:05 a.m. Classes commenced at 9:05 to enable students who travelled to school via the 9:00 a.m. street car to arrive in time.
The Richmond Hill Post Office (ca. 1950) at the corner of Yonge and Centre Streets. The new building was officially opened December 6, 1936 by the Honourable Colonel William Mulock, M.P. for North York and Postmaster-General. It was designed by architects Forsey Page and Co. and built at a cost of $40,000. (Photograph courtesy of Richmond Hill Public Library, 102a)
Robert Hirtle and I always travelled together. We were, and still are the best of friends. Rob’s father, who was the Minister at the Presbyterian Church let Rob have, what seemed to me to be, unrestricted use of his car. Indeed he secured a driver’s licence for Rob when he was fifteen. It allowed him to drive only the one car which, if I remember correctly, was noted on the licence.
Rob, using his father’s 1941 Dodge sedan transported a carload of us to and from the Toronto Mail Sorting building at Bay and Lakeshore Boulevard. That first year, it was exciting to leave for work at what a short time before, was my curfew for getting home. Our route was down Yonge Street to the top of Hogg’s Hollow Hill. There we would swing off to the right over the viaduct where the road curved to the south to meet Avenue Road at about Wilson Avenue. Highway 401 and the Avenue Road cloverleaf approximately follows that stretch. We travelled Avenue Road to Front Street where we would turn left and then south on Bay Street to Lakeshore Boulevard. If my memory is correct there was ample free parking on the west side of the building. The trip was fairly quick as traffic was light and traffic lights were few. I believe the first one was at Sheppard Avenue and the next at Eglinton.
On reporting to work Robert and I and some of our friends, were given our time cards and assigned to sort mail for the streets of Toronto that began with the letter ‘L’. We each faced a wooden case divided into cubicles. Each cubicle was labelled with the name of an ‘L’ street. The labels were in alphabetical order starting at the top left hand corner of the case. The letters to be sorted were dumped onto the front part of the bench on which the cases rested. We spent the entire shift sorting an endless supply of letters into the appropriate cubicle. We could work standing up or sitting on the high stools provided. It was dangerous to sit on the stool too long because often one tended to go to sleep and fall off.
It didn’t take long for Rob to realize that some streets had more mail than others. Following this observation we moved the labels so that the streets which received the most mail were immediately in front of us and at the easiest height to pop the letters into their cubicle. This change made our work much easier. That it also helped us to sort letters faster was not of great concern to us because there was never an instant when the supply of letters on our bench ran out.
Every evening when we reported for work we found that the street labels on our cases had been put back in alphabetical order. Each shift, before we picked up a letter, we reorganized the street labels to make our work easier. Needless to say this did not give us a very high opinion as to the efficiency of the Post Office supervisors or the employees on the other shift. Maybe we were just lazier than the others.
Our employment ended the morning before Christmas. As school had usually closed a day or so before that, we had caught up on our sleep and were able to enjoy Christmas and following week of holidays. Our pay cheque would arrive, we could repay our parents the money they had advanced us for work expenses and the purchase of Christmas presents and still have some left over for ourselves.
We did this almost every Christmas during our high school years. Of course our teachers knew what we were doing, and thinking back I realize how much patience they exercised in dealing with a bunch of students, who if not falling asleep in class were exceedingly dopey from lack of it. For most of us it was our first experience working in Toronto for people who did not know us and our families. I’m sure it helped prepare us for our future careers away from the secure environment of the Village of Richmond Hill.
A reminder that our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm in Meeting Room A at Central Branch of the Richmond Hill Public Library.
This is an important meeting when you will hear from your current Executive members about their various activities during 2023. You also have an opportunity to elect the Executive for the 2024 year.
Once again our annual bring and brag will follow the AGM. This is chance for you to showcase interesting objects and stories to other RHHS members.
We are excited to welcome our own Cameron Telch to the next regular meeting of the Richmond Hill Historical Society. Cam will be presenting Breaking the Silences of the Archives: Humanizing the Shell Shock Experience of the Great War at 7:00 pm in the Event Room on the 3rd Floor of Central Library at 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Free to RHHS members, but we welcome anyone interested in this fascinating topic. There is a guest fee of $5.00.
As we continue to celebrate the Society’s 50th Anniversary, we are sharing articles from past issues of our membership magazine. In honour of our anniversary, we look back to the September/October 1998 issue of Heritage on the Hill and this article by Jim Monkman looking back at 25 years of the RHHS. Article edited by Janet Fayle and Doris Leno.
In 1974, members of Richmond Hill Council visited Rowland Burr House and are pictured with Historical Society President Janet Fayle, Acting Clerk William Rice, Society member Malcolm Jardine, Chief Librarian Patricia Hart.
On October 18th 1973, at a meeting held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, The Richmond Hill Historical Society was founded. Its objective “To Preserve In Our Present Community An Awareness Of The Culture Of Our Forefathers ”
On January 18th 1974, at the first annual meeting, an election of officers installed Mrs. Donna Bales as President., Mrs. Dorothy Gummersall as 1st Vice President, Mr. John LeClaire as 2nd Vice President, Mrs. Janet Fayle as Secretary, and Mr. Brian Cowan as Treasurer.
The first project undertaken by the newly organized Society was the restoration of Burr House, saved from demolition at the insistence of Mrs. Patricia Hart, Chief Librarian and historian. In June of 1974 The Society urged the Town to acquire Burr House and advised that they were prepared to lease and restore it. The Town was receptive to the Society’s proposal. While the legal technicalities and paper work were in progress restoration work was begun.
Richmond Hill Historical Society members Alice Dewsbury, Helen Barclay and Doris Leno during the early Burr House renovation.
In February 1975 The Society was incorporated as “The Richmond Hill Historical Society” and also was designated as a Charitable Organization for tax purposes. In May 1975 the Society entered into a lease agreement with the Town for a period of five years. The terms of the lease required the Society to pay an annual rental fee of $1.00 per year; to restore the said house, at its own expense to a structurally habitable condition before the sixteenth day of May 1976; and to carry out a restoration program of the house, with furnishings appropriate to the period when it was constructed, as funds become available to the Lessee.
By May of 1976 when Richmond Hill established a “Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC)” the task of restoring Burr House was well underway.
The Society applied for and obtained a Wintario Grant. With the assistance of the Hill Potters Guild, the Burr House Spinners & Weavers, and helped by annual financial grants from the Town, Burr House was soon made structurally habitable. Occupancy of the premises was then shared by the Hill Potters, the Spinners & Weavers, and the Society.
Moving the Evangelical Church to the Burr House site, September 1978
By 1978 the Town had acquired the Church of the Evangelical Association in North America, now known as the Guild Hall, but at that time located at the comer of Bathurst Street and Carrville Road. In July of 1978 the Society entered into an agreement with the Town to lease it under terms similar to the Burr House lease. With the assistance of the two Guilds they proceeded to relocate the building to Woods Park and to restore the building. Restoration work on Bun- House was temporally suspended and all efforts were directed to completing the Guild Hall so that the Guilds could vacate Burr House.
To obtain a Wintario Grant for the restoration of Guild Hall, the Society pledged financial funding to the project in the amount of nine thousand nine hundred and fifty-four dollars and the Potters pledged one thousand five hundred dollars. It is interesting to note that although only fifteen hundred and forty dollars worth of donated labour was pledged four thousand eight hundred and eighty-five dollars worth of labour was donated by the three groups.
Fundraising came in various forms for Burr House like this 1978 Stuff ‘n Such sale.
The Guilds potted, spun and wove and as fundraising endeavors conducted craft classes. The Society promoted fund raising projects – Quilt Raffles, Stuff & Such Yard Sales, selling souvenir plates, post cards, hastinotes and ink and water colour drawings of Burr House at Mall displays and at the Richmond Hill Fair. Tea and scones were served regularly at Burr House and classes were offered in such crafts as chair caning, and quilting. Revenue from all fund raising projects was dedicated to the restorations as required by the terms of the Wintario Grants. The Society’s operating expenditures were limited to rental of meeting space at the Richmond Hill Library, an occasional speaker’s honorarium, and publication of a one page newsletter. When the Guild Hall was completed the Potters and Spinners & Weavers moved. At long last Burr House was vacant, restoration work was immediately resumed. It was a formidable task and took many hours of labour in dusty dirty surroundings.
Weaving at Burr House
During the restoration of Burr House the Society sponsored Archeological digs in the yard and under the floor of the Kitchen. “Dig” sessions for students were arranged and over 500 students participated.. Many artifacts were recovered and were added to the Society’s growing collection of histone items which had been donated by local residents. As there was no available storage space Society member’s stored the collection in their homes.
When restoration work was completed and the terms of the Wintario Grants satisfied, fund raising was continued and the money raised used to rent space in the new McConaghy Centre. The artifacts were inventoried, cleaned and placed on shelves and tables which had been donated for this purpose. The rental charge for this facility was $2000.00 per year and when we could no longer afford to pay this amount the Town provided a smaller storage space without charge. When the Heritage Centre opened the entire collection was donated to the Town.
Official opening of the Guild Hall, October 23, 1982
In 1982, while restoration work was still in progress, the Society opened a craft shop and tea room in Burr House. The Shop was very successful and in 1985 the Potters and Spinners & Weavers entered into a partnership with the Society and the Craft Shop became The Burr House Craft Gallery and Tea Room, Much has been accomplished since that first meeting in October 1973. As well as restoring two houses and operating a craft shop, the Society published a book that is now in its second printing. Lectured on local history in schools, taped some oral history, expanded the one page newsletter into a media in which members and non-members can publish their memories of old Richmond Hill. We have participated in many projects and unforgettable fund raising and social events. Strawberry Socials, Christmas Parties held in members homes, Picnics at such far away places as the Museum at Midhurst, Stuff and Such Sales on the lawn at Burr House, a Fall Festival complete with costumes and cider making. Our float in the Christmas Parade; Founders Day Service in the cemetery; and Quilt Raffles! Remember what happened the year the prize quilt was stored in a green garbage bag?
Society members should be proud of these accomplishments and celebrate the 25th anniversary of our founding with glee.
Postscript I regret that in this brief backward glance I was unable to include all of the events and accomplishments of our Society or to mention the names of the many many members who so freely gave of their time and talents to make things happen. Perhaps we should begin our next quarter century by compiling a history of our past. – Jim Monkman
by Vera Tachtaul Originally published online with the Richmond Hill Liberal, September 21, 2023
With the start of another school year, it is interesting to look back at our school history, as Richmond Hill celebrates 150 years.
Richmond Hill High School at the corner of Yonge and Wright Streets, circa late-1890s (photograph courtesy of Richmond Hill Public Library, PA-90-004B)
Richmond Hill High School is one of the oldest schools in York Region, and has moved several times in its long history. After Richmond Hill was incorporated in 1873, a school was built behind M.L. McConaghy Seniors’ Centre (as we know it today) that served the community for 23 years until it was destroyed by fire in 1896. The Board of Education set up a makeshift school at Temperance Hall, located at 11 Centre St. W., and rented it for $6 a month. Sixty desks with seats were purchased for $2.95 each from Newmarket Novelty Works.
was marginal compared with today’s standards, and the dilemma of where this new school would be built became the concern. In a letter to the editor of the Liberal, one resident voiced his concerns over the location and the style of this new school, stating that communities were judged by the appearances of the schools that were built there and that the school grounds were just as important for satisfactory educational results.
When the education committee met with the village council to discuss the situation further, three possible locations for the new high school were discussed. One was at the site where the school had burned down, and the other was at Village Park. The third option was at the Richardson estate at the north edge of town, but since no vote was taken, a committee was established to consider the purchase of half an acre of property from the Powell family for $800. Another was to purchase the Hopkins property, which was located at the corner of Yonge and Wright Streets.
Postcard depicting the Richmond Hill High School, circa. 1910 (photograph courtesy Richmond Hill Public Library, Lynett Collection, card-09)
By April of that year, several letters were received by the Liberal from readers distraught about the length of time it was taking to build the new high school. The Liberal’s editor realized that there was enough interest for a regular column from readers who could vent their frustrations to the public. Some wrote in with full lists of disapproving facts. One petition that had been circulated throughout the village claimed that the board had made a mistake in its selection of the Hopkins property site. The board decided to take its plans to the Ministry of Education, where the petition was disallowed. Those named in the petition who had favoured the Yonge Street site saw the old grammar school of 1851 get torn down, which was donated by Abraham Law, who became the first reeve of Richmond Hill.
The board had already approved the first site, had received the $3,000 needed to build the school and had asked for the $1,500 for costs associated with the planning and design of the building from John Harris.
In May, it was again suggested that the Hopkins property be purchased at Yonge and Wright Streets. The board, which met weekly, had also considered six other locations, but it was Mr. McConaghy who pointed out to the board that Chapter 57 of Section 46 of the High School Act precluded Mr. McNair from selling the Hopkins property to the board, since he was also the executor. He was also not allowed to vote. It was moved that the chair and secretary act as a committee and buy the Hopkins one-and-a-quarter-acre lot for $1,000.
Sidewalk in front of the Richmond Hill High School, circa. 1920s (photograph courtesy Richmond Hill Public Library, Lynett Collection, card-19)
Construction of the brand-new high school officially began at the corner of Yonge and Wright streets in June 1897, just a few weeks before village residents celebrated Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Masonry work was completed by J. Kelly and the lumber work by L. Innes and Sons. J. Francis Brown, who was a leading and remarkably prolific architect in the industry at the time, was the architect for the project.
The new school was officially opened on December 30, 1897, just one year from the time the former one had been burned down. There was a great pride of accomplishment felt in the community when the new high school was finally completed. It was referred to as a “monument” to both its builders and architects. Its exterior laid out in red brick with grey stone foundation accommodated two entrances, as well as a rear entrance to the basement sitting neatly on the Mill Street lot.
With well-lit classrooms and a science room “supplied with every apparatus for practical work,” the entire building was heated in the winter and ventilated in the summer, and was perfectly modern for its time.
Postcard depicting the Richmond Hill High School (photograph courtesy of Richmond Hill Public Library, Lynett Collection, card-02)
Today, the building still stands proudly at the corner of Yonge and Wright Streets, and it’s worth remembering its history because it recognizes the hard work and effort of the many people involved with this project.
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.
Richmond Hill Historical Society President Jim Vollmershausen (right) presents the 2023 Bert Hunt Heritage Award to David Hunt of the Archives Committee of St. Mary’s Anglican Church on September 10, 2023. (photograph by Chris Robart)
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.
David Hunt of the Archives Committee displays the 2023 Bert Hunt Heritage Award during the presentation on September 10, 2023. (photograph by Chris Robart)
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 