Attention all history buffs and architecture enthusiasts! Get ready for a free event that celebrates Richmond Hill’s 150th anniversary!
Doors Open Richmond Hill is back after three years and promises to be better than ever!
On May 13, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., cultural sites all over Richmond Hill will open their doors for everyone to enjoy. And who doesn’t love free stuff?
Doors Open Ontario was launched in 2002 by the Ontario Heritage Trust, and since then, every April to October, heritage treasures across the province have been open to the public with free events.
If you’re someone who loves learning about history, then you’re in luck. The 2023 Featured Sites at Doors Open Richmond Hill will give you a glimpse of the past while also showing off modern architectural marvels. The Thomas Boynton House Art Exhibition Space is a historical farm house built in 1875, which has been repurposed as an Art Exhibition Space. Visitors can see the graduating class of Arts from Alexander Mackenzie High School showcase their student works at their annual show “Finale”.
If that’s not your cup of tea, then head over to the St. Mary and St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church. This unique church is a representation of a 2,000-year heritage and prides itself on being one of the oldest churches to preserve its traditions, rituals, and theological beliefs since its inception at the birth of Christianity.
The Richmond Hill Hindu Temple, on the other hand, is the largest Hindu Temple in North America, built and run under the Agama Sastra traditions. Visitors can marvel at its design, which was created by V. Janakiramana Sthapathi, who hails from the same family of architects that built the famous Big Temple in Tanjavur, South India, during the 9th – 13th century period.
For those who love the great outdoors, Phyllis Rawlinson Park is the place to be. Richmond Hill’s largest Oak Ridges Moraine park is surrounded by significant historic structures such as the original farmhouse and barn (York Region’s oldest designated buildings), which help make this park a special place.
And for those who love astronomy, the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory is a must-visit. Since 1935, the Observatory has been a research centre for the University of Toronto’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and is now a facility for public education and outreach.
These are just a few of the exciting sites you can visit during Doors Open Richmond Hill. You can also check out Richmond Hill Heritage Centre (Amos Wright House), Artifact Collections Storage Operations Centre, Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church and St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
With so much to explore and discover, Doors Open Richmond Hill is the perfect opportunity to reunite and reconnect with the community while celebrating all that makes us proud to call Richmond Hill home. So mark your calendars and join in on the fun on May 13, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Let’s discover the story behind every door!