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, May 21, 2024, 7:00 pm
Cultural Treasures of the Past: Shell Shock, Mental Health and Media Representations
Speaker: Cameron Telch
Events Room, 3rd Floor, Central Branch, Richmond Hill Public Library
1 Atkinson Street
Cameron is a soon to be third year doctoral candidate in Educational Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. His research is on the underrepresentation of shell shock in Canadian military museums within the framework of difficult knowledge.
2024
Tuesday, January 16, 2024; 7:00 pm
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, Urban Design/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
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 