Toronto 
Richmond Hill is throwing open its doors on Saturday, May 9, inviting the public to explore rarely seen corners of its cultural and historical landscape.
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre/City of Richmond Hill
As part of the Doors Open Ontario program, the city will offer free access to a variety of sites from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including heritage buildings, creative spaces, and community landmarks.
In a unique partnership with the Richmond Hill Studio Tour, visitors will also get an insider look at local artists’ studios. Local galleries, studios, and artists open their doors to the public, offering a chance to explore artwork, tour creative spaces, and watch live demonstrations. Participating sites include Art Gala Inc., Bita Art Centre, Mill Pond Gallery, Richmond Hill Cultural Centre, Think Space, YM Art Gallery, and several home studios featuring individual artists.
Sites range from the historic Boynton House and the Curtain Club Theatre to Circling Hawk Honey and Mead, the city’s only meadery. Some locations, like the David Dunlap Observatory and Lake St. George Field Centre, require pre-registration.
With so much to explore and discover, Doors Open Richmond Hill is the perfect opportunity to reunite and reconnect with the community.
Downtown’s Main Street will also be buzzing, as the Richmond Hill BIA welcomes guests with special offers, local shops, and international cuisine. It’s a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of the spaces and stories that define Richmond Hill.
Doors Open began in France in 1984, expanded across Europe, and launched in Ontario in 2002 by the Ontario Heritage Trust. Since then, every April to October, heritage treasures across the province have been open to the public with free events across Ontario.
Sites to Explore:
Credit: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory
- Boynton House (1300 Elgin Mills Road East): Step into a piece of Richmond Hill’s farming past. Built in 1875, this former farmhouse now hosts rotating art shows, including a juried exhibition by the Markham Group of Artists.
- Burr House Spinners and Weavers Guild & Hill Potters’ Guild (530 Carrville Road): This charming guild hall, relocated in 1978, is full of life and craft. Explore handwoven textiles, pottery displays, and live demonstrations from local artisans. (Note: accessed by stairs.)
- Circling Hawk Honey and Mead (13433 Leslie Street): A former equestrian farm turned meadery, this site offers a real taste of nature. Tour the bee yard, orchards and enjoy live music while sampling honey and mead.
- Curtain Club Theatre (400 Newkirk Road): Peek behind the curtain at this beloved community theatre. With over 70 years of performances, guided tours reveal the magic of stage and story from front row to backstage.
- École secondaire Norval-Morrisseau (51 Wright Street): Built in 1924, Richmond Hill High School, now École secondaire Norval‑Morrisseau, evolved through expansions, with guided tours exploring its history, Francophone culture, and ties to Norval Morrisseau.
- George Quantz House, Kirby Chan & Co Real Estate (8763 Bayview Avenue): The George Quantz House is a 19th-century building known for its patterned red brickwork, barge-boards, and bellcast veranda. Relocated from Bayview Avenue in 2013 for preservation, it now houses Kirby Chan & Co. Real Estate, highlighting its architecture, restoration, and the Quantz family legacy.
- Lake St. George Field Centre (950 Bethesda Road) Pre-registration required: Tucked into the Oak Ridges Moraine, this nature centre is rarely open to the public. Take a tour through woodlands, 1906 Davis Hall, and enjoy a ride on a solar-powered pontoon.
- Mary-Lou Griffin Local History Room, Richmond Hill Public Library (1 Atkinson Street): Head up to the fourth floor of the library for a deep dive into Richmond Hill’s history. Special exhibits and guided tours reveal fascinating local stories and archives.
- Richard Vanderburgh House, Richmond Hill Board of Trade (376 Church Street South): Built in the early 1800s, this Georgian-style house now supports local business. Discover its Loyalist roots and how it’s evolved into a space for commerce and community.
- Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (123 Hillsview Drive) Pre-registration required: Canada’s largest telescope lives here. Opened in 1935, the observatory now shares its celestial wonders with the public through city-run educational programs.
- Richmond Hill Hindu Temple (10865 Bayview Avenue): The Richmond Hill Hindu Temple was built by volunteers, with construction spanning from 1975 to 2001. It serves as a place of worship and community, offering tours of fine art, cultural programming, and insight into its history.
- Richmond Hill Heritage Centre (19 Church Street North): Once home to the town’s first reeve, this 1840s cottage now celebrates Richmond Hill’s roots. Walk through galleries or book their ever-popular afternoon tea.
- Richmond Hill Lawn Bowling Club (43 Church Street South): Since the 1920s, this club has welcomed bowlers of all ages. Drop in to try your hand at the sport and chat with friendly members about its local legacy.
- Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church (10066 Yonge Street): This 1880 church stands out with its patterned brickwork and stained glass. Inside, enjoy a live pipe organ demo and view artworks from local Studio Tour artists.
- Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame (43 Church Street South, 2nd floor): Celebrate hometown heroes in sport with exhibits honouring athletes, teams, and coaches who’ve left their mark on the community.
- St. John the Baptist Community Church (Light on the Hill) (12125 Yonge Street): Explore this striking Gothic revival church and stick around for a hearty all-day breakfast. A warm welcome awaits from this York Region congregation.
- St. Mary and St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church (11308 Yonge Street): Rich in heritage, this church features hand-painted murals, carved wood, and imported Egyptian marble. Guided tours share insights into Coptic faith and culture.
Plus various art galleries and spaces as part of the Studio Tour:
- Art Gala Inc.
- Bita Art Centre
- Boynton House – Markham Group of Artists
- Burr House Spinners & Weavers Guild
- Helen Grace Agalawatte – Home Studio
- Hill Potters’ Guild
- Laurel Douglas Shugarman – Home Studio
- Mill Pond Gallery – Richmond Hill Group of Artists
- Richland Academy Inc. – Josephine Sherman
- Richmond Hill Cultural Centre
- Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church – Artists Narenhua, Roger Potts, Ziba Salehi-Rahni
- Think Space – Ale Groen Studio
- Victor Molev – Home Studio
- Wendy Emery – Home Studio
- YM Art Gallery
So mark your calendars and join in on the fun on May 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Let’s discover the story behind every door!
