Monthly Meetings
The Richmond Hill Historical Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August) at 7:00 pm in Room B (2nd Floor) at the Richmond Hill Public Library Central Branch, 1 Atkinson Street in Richmond Hill. All are welcome to attend.
Bring a friend or two! Guest Fee $5.00. Yearly memberships are available at $40.00 for Family and $25.00 for Individuals.
Light refreshments are served following the meeting.
For further information about meetings or programs, please call Andrea Kulesh at 905-884-2789.
Check out the great events and speakers lined up…
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, November 18, 2025; 6:30 pm
History of Library Service in Richmond Hill
Speaker: Peter Wilson, Richmond Hill Public Library
Did you know that the Richmond Hill Public Library pre-dates the incorporation of the Village of Richmond Hill? Join Peter Wilson as he takes us on a journey to the past of the library service in Richmond Hill. Learn more about this integral part of the Richmond Hill community including some of its latest developments and initiatives.
Gather to visit at 6:30 pm, meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
Rooms A & B, 2nd Floor, Central Branch, Richmond Hill Public Library
1 Atkinson Street
2025
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 7:00 pm
Annual General Meeting & Bring and Brag
Tuesday, February 18, 2025; 6:30 pm
History of the David Dunlap Observatory
Speaker: Tuba Koktay, David Dunlap Observatory Defenders
Join us as Dr. Koktay takes us through a history of the David Dunlap Observatory and its contributions to the important milestones in Canadian Astronomy. Gather to visit at 6:30 pm, talk begins at 7:00 pm.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025; 6:30 pm
History of the Richmond Hill United Church
Speaker: Donna Smith
Join us as Donna takes us through a short history of the Richmond Hill United Church and their many outreach services, including the Breakfast Club at Walter Scott Public School. Kevin Dark and Norman McMullen will join Donna to talk about their volunteer work at the Breakfast Club. Gather to visit at 6:30 pm, talk begins at 7:00 pm.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025; 6:30 pm
The Pioneer Thompson and Weller Families’ Connection to Richmond Hill
Speaker: Brian Weller
The roots of my family begins with William John Thompson, who was born
in Yorkshire, England in 1795 and arrived in Upper Canada with his
wife, Hannah and two daughters, Ann and Sarah. He purchased 100 acres
of Bond Lake area forest, on Yonge Street in 1830 for $395.00 with a
promise to clear and cutivate 10 acres per year. During this time,
William Weller of Port Hope, Ontario, with roots in Kent. England; and
known as the ‘Stagecoach King’ bought the Yonge Street Stagecoach
business in 1832. started by George Playter …. and this link.was
uncovered in the beginning of my research into these two interesting
families.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025; 6:30 pm
Growing Up Yonge – Part One of the 19th Century
Speaker: Maggie Mackenzie, City of Richmond Hill
Tuesday, June 17, 2025; 6:30 pm
Bring and Brag and Social Evening
Tuesday, September 16, 2025; 6:30 pm
Growing Up Yonge – Part Two of the 19th Century
Speaker: Maggie Mackenzie, City of Richmond Hill
Tuesday, October 21, 2025; 6:30 pm
Deadhouses and Veiled Vases: The Resurrection of an Octagonal Winter Vault and the Evolution of Grave Markers in the Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery
Speaker: Pamela Vega, City of Richmond Hill
Tuesday, November 18, 2025; 6:30 pm
History of Library Service in Richmond Hill
Speaker: Peter Wilson, Digital Content Librarian, Richmond Hill Public Library
2024
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Annual General Meeting and Bring & Brag
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 7:00 pm
A Voice for the Community: How Heritage Richmond Hill Helps Protect Our Past for the Future
Speaker: Pamela Vega, Heritage Planner, City of Richmond Hill
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 7:00 pm
The Knights of Columbus Council 14411
Speaker: Francis Gabriel, Knights of Columbus
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 7:00 pm
Stained Glass Windows – St. Clement’s Anglican Church
Speaker: Douglas Holmes
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 7:00 pm
Cultural Treasures of the Past: Shell Shock, Mental Health and Representations
Speaker: Cameron Telch
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 6:30 pm
June Social and Bring & Brag
Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 7:00 pm
Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame
Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:00 pm
History of the Curtain Club
Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 7:00 pm
The Things I Never Knew!
Speaker: Ward 2 Councillor Scott Thompson
Thursday, December 5, 2024, 6:30 pm * NOTE SPECIAL DATE*
Holiday Social
January 16, 2023; 7:30 pm
Annual General Meeting and Bring & Brag
Wallace Hall, Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church
10066 Yonge St, Richmond Hill
February 20, 2023 – 7:30 pm
Old Mascots Never Retire — They Just Hang up Their Paws
Speaker: Russ Horner
After starting his character career at Canada’s Wonderland, Russ went on to make over 8,000 costume character appearances over 35 years. Russ shares the inside scoop on what it is really like in the unique “world” of costume character performing, training and managing, Although physically and emotionally rewarding and of course extremely fun, there is also a serious side to the business with great responsibilities, safety concerns and even dangers.
March 20, 2023 – 7:30 pm
A Brief Introduction to the Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society
Speaker: Doreen Coyne, Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural SocietyDuring this presentation, Doreen will give you a bit of the history of the Society and an overview of the volunteer effort that the members accomplish each year. All of which aim to educate and encourage the beautification of our community and neighbourhoods with plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
April 17, 2023 – 7:30 pm
British Home Children
Speaker: John Jefkins
John Jefkins is a Director at Home Children Canada. John Jefkins is a first-generation descendant of a British Home Child. His father came to Canada through the Barnardo organization. In 2015, John through the assistance of the British Home Children Advocacy & Research Association found his father’s descendants in England.
May 15, 2023 – 7:30 pm
The History of Hogg’s Hollow and York Mills
Speaker: Scott Kennedy
Scott Kennedy returns to the Richmond Hill Historical Society to speak about his latest book, Tales from the Hollow: The Story of Hogg’s Hollow and York Mills. The book was published in November 2022.
June 19, 2023 – 6:30 pm* NOTE earlier start time!
How Has Richmond Hill Changed Since 1914?
Speaker: Cynthia Bettio, Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy
Cynthia Bettio, Department Head of Canadian and World Studies at Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy will be joining us with students from her Grade 10 history class to discuss the findings of their term-long project: How has Richmond Hill changed since 1914?
This is a project that came out of a keen interest in micro-history. Typically, students are instructed in the mega-narratives of this country’s history. When students are only instructed in these mega-narratives, they can sometimes miss out on the nuanced stories that impact regular, everyday citizens. This project focuses on the importance of place and how these places change over time. Through intense research and a key partnership with the Local History Room at the RHPL, students have been working on tracking how a lot in Richmond Hill has changed over time, throughout the turbulent 20th Century and into the early 21st Century. Students are using the RHPL Local Library Room with the support of Peter Wilson, Local History Librarian, in conducting their research.
Ms. Bettio will talk about the project and will be joined by her students to discuss their findings.
NOTE: This meeting will be starting at 6:30 pm and will also include an opportunity for everyone to mingle and enjoy a variety of refreshments and treats.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 (note new meeting day) – 7:00 pm
Coronations – from Queen Victoria to King Charles III
Speakers: Norman McMullen and Kevin Dark
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – 7:00 pm
No Stone Left Alone
Speakers: Ross Toms, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 7:00 pm
Breaking the Silences of the Archives: Humanizing the Shell Shock Experience of the Great War
Speaker: Cam Telch
Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 6:00 pm
Holiday Social
Richmond Hill Historical Society 