Category: City of Richmond Hill

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.

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.

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.

See us at the Spring Fair!

You're invited. Free. Scan to Register. Spring Fair May 24, 2025 (Saturday) Noon to 3 pm. Barbeque (while supplies last), ice cream (while supplies last), children's activities, door prizes, performances.

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

Historical Society Partners with Heritage Services for Walks and Learn Tours

The Richmond Hill Historical Society is pleased to announce a new partnership with the City of Richmond Hill’s Heritage Services for their Walk and Learn Tours.

Enjoy fresh air, exercise and a healthy walk through a historic building, neighbourhood or park while discovering Richmond Hill community heritage with a knowledgeable guide. Tours run rain or shine. Wear appropriate attire for walking outdoors. Duration 1.5 – 2 hours. No registration required. Free admission.

Upcoming Fall tours include:

North Yonge Street – A Vibrant Village!
Sunday, September 22, 1 p.m.

Meet up Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts – 10268 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill

North Yonge Street in the village core is a unique part of the city. Enjoy this tour featuring a history of politics, education, medicine and the arts!

Arrive at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (10268 Yonge Street) and look for the Walk and Learn sandwich board.

Sports History
Sunday, October 6, 1 p.m.

Meet up Location: Elgin Barrow Arena – 43 Church Street South, Richmond Hill

Sports and recreation have played an integral part of Richmond Hill’s history. From the annual Spring Fair to organized sports, this walk will focus on the historic locations, celebrated championships, athletes, teams, and supporters who have shaped the sports community in our City. Includes a guided tour of the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame.

Arrive at the Elgin Barrow Arena (43 Church Street South) and look for the Walk and Learn sandwich board.

Mill Pond Industry and Commerce
Sunday, October 20, 1 p.m.

Meet up Location: Mill Pond Park Gazebo – 321 Mill Street, Richmond Hill

Mill Pond, named for the sawmill operation that used the pond for power. Today’s Mill Pond is a place of recreation, but did you know when it was first created in the mid-1830s, it was a hub of industry and commerce and an important component of Richmond Hill’s culture heritage.

On this walk, participants will explore a place of natural beauty while learning about the many industries that made the heart of Richmond Hill an attractive place to settle in the early 19th century.

Arrive at Mill Pond Park Gazebo (321 Mill Street) and look for the Walk and Learn sandwich board.

Mayor West’s Maple Syrup Festival – 2024

by Andrea Kulesh

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.