Richmond Hill Heritage Summit features ‘pop-up museum’, speaking event to celebrate culture

Learn about traditions, local organizations that have contributed throughout city’s history

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 29, 2023
Melissa Wallace

Celebrate your city and the organizations that have contributed to its unique traditions and culture at the Richmond Hill Heritage Summit on Sunday Sept. 10.

Located at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA, 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill), drop by this free event from 1 to 4 p.m. to mix and mingle with the community at a "pop-up museum" where more than 20 organizations will share what they do and why they do it.

“If someone is interested in how Richmond Hill became the city it is today, they will get a lot out of the Heritage Summit,” said Jim Vollmershausen, president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society and summit co-ordinator. “They will learn how citizens like themselves have been contributing to Richmond Hill's heritage throughout its history.

“They will be confronted with organizations that have been active in the city, some for at least 200 years, and many for more than 100 years, and they will learn that heritage is much more than old buildings and artifacts.”

Contributing to heritage, he said, includes participating in projects that benefit the community, advocating for the protection of important historic or natural assets, educating or reaching out to citizens to enhance their well-being, or practising traditional arts or crafts.

From 7 to 9:30 p.m., visitors can listen to Toronto historian and guest speaker Ted Barris as he speaks about the role of medics, nurses and doctors in World War 1 and World War 2, with references to Richmond Hill's citizens who served in those roles. The evening will conclude with a presentation of heritage awards, including the Historical Society's Bert Hunt Heritage Award.

“By the end of the day, the hope is that people will better appreciate Richmond Hill's heritage and be ready to help us celebrate that heritage,” said Vollmershausen.

The Richmond Hill Heritage Summit is presented by the City of Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill Historical Society, in part to commemorate the city’s 150th anniversary. Registration is required for the evening event. Save your seat through the RHCPA at https://tickets.rhcentre.ca.