We are excited to resume our regular programs after the summer break with Maggie Mackenzie, Heritage Services Coordinator with the City of Richmond Hill. Maggie will deliver her presentation Growing Up Yonge: Part II on Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm in Room B of Richmond Hill Public Library’s Central Library at 1 Atkinson Street.
Hear about the evolution of transportation, industry and trade and population growth. A two part visual presentation illustrating the role Yonge Street played in the 20th century and how this ” Main Street” shaped the village of Richmond Hill.
Talk will begin at 7:00 pm but we encourage you to join us at 6:30 for a chance to mingle and catch up with other members.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 representatives Sharon Farquharson, Poppy Chair, Ross Toms, Treasurer and Branch Historian, and Bernard de Paulsen, President with Historical Society President Jim Vollmershausen. Jim presented the Bert Hunt Heritage Award to Branch 375 at the Society’s June 17, 2025 meeting. (photograph by Peter Wilson)
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 a 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 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 Richmond Hill with the 2025 Bert Hunt Heritage Award. It is one of many legion branches throughout Canada that support our Veterans and current members of our Armed Forces and their families. Celebrating their 80 year anniversary, the Branch has provided the community with many services. As a self- sustaining non-profit organization, it has been an active member of the Richmond Hill community.
Since it is the World War Two, 80th Anniversary of the Victory in Europe- May 8, 1945- it seemed poignant to remember the years of service the Legion has provided in the City of Richmond Hill. Celebrating concurrently with this historic world event it makes the value of the Legion more important as the number of veterans from that conflict are dwindling in numbers.
The Annual Poppy Drive in the Fall allows the Canadian legion to provide funds that are needed to Veterans in need. Members connect annually with local businesses to have the poppy boxes. It keeps the presence of honouring the military heritage. In addition, a Veterans Services Officer assists in helping veterans applying for benefits.
The Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph is a joint effort provided with the Legion taking an active role with the City of Richmond Hill. Remembering the contribution of local citizens who served in so many Canadian military endeavors, keeps the heritage of that commitment current. As it is well attended by people of all ages who honour that service.
The local Air Cadets for 58 years have been sponsored by the Legion. Air Cadet 778 Banshee troop parades with other members of Richmond Hill at the Remembrance Day service as well as other times during the year. Young people learning about military service providing a modern presence to the community.
Legion President Terri O’Connor embraced a program that honoured Veterans from all conflicts. No Stone Left Alone originating in Alberta is now a part of the Legion’s Annual endeavors. It means a poppy and flag are placed at the graves of such Veterans during November. Ross Toms is a Legion member who actively recruits young people who help with this important project. To date more than 2500 graves have been honoured in such a way in the Richmond Hill Area. Ross said they are always finding more graves each year that reflect the commitment of Richmond Hill residents in Canadian military service.
Coordinating with the City, the legion accepts applications for the Yonge Street Banner Program from family or community to provide a banner honouring the person’s war time service. The family provides the funds for the banner while the legion gets it made and the City puts them up during the month of November beyond November 11th along Yonge Street in the centre of Richmond Hill.
Members of the Legion are often seen at many community events. They were active at the City of Richmond Hill’s 150th Heritage Summit held September 10, 2024. They have made many donations to Richmond Hill’s groups and organizations over the years.
As a valued service organization in the City of Richmond Hill, the Richmond Hill Historical Society is very happy to present the Bert Hunt Heritage Certificate Award to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 Richmond Hill for all they have done and continue to do contributing to the conservation and preservation of Richmond Hill’s heritage by raising awareness about the value of the military heritage to the community and its citizens.
Congratulations Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 Richmond Hill for 80 years of service to the Richmond Hill community.
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: 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.
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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
Richmond Hill Historical Society 