Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Passport to Culture - Collect your Richmond Hill Heritage Centre Stamp at this location. Learn more
Richmond Hill's Heritage Centre showcases the rich heritage of our community. Designed to provide an educational and entertaining experiences for all ages, you can come and enjoy our Afternoon Teas and exhibits or sign up for a variety of Heritage Programs. The Heritage Centre is also available to be rented out for a selection of events.
Afternoon Teas
Come enjoy our popular Afternoon Teas. We are delighted to present an array of options for you to enjoy. Indulge in our timeless Traditional Afternoon teas, and don't miss our unique offerings lined up for this season.
Check the schedule and use our online reservation request form to book your sitting.
View the schedule and book your spot!
Exhibits at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
Richmond Hill's Heritage Centre showcases the rich heritage of our community. Designed to provide an educational and entertaining experience, these exhibits are for all ages.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursdays 4 - 8 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Now On – Steeped in History: Tea’s Culture, Commerce, and Ceremony
Tea has been enjoyed for over 5,000 years. It began in China and spread across the world through trade, travel, and colonization. Along the way, tea became part of many cultures and traditions. People value tea for its calming, energizing, and social qualities, and it is often linked to rest and renewal. The Steeped in History exhibit brings together artifacts and reproductions from the Richmond Hill Artifact Collections with reflections shared by local community groups. Through hands-on activities, visitors are invited to explore tea rituals, connecting stories of the past with those of today.
Exhibit on display until February 2027.
*Interested in hosting this display in your gallery, museum, or library? Contact Heritage Services to learn how you can share the History of Tea with your community.
Yonge Street Gallery
Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe officially established Yonge Street in the 1790s. Yonge Street opened up the northern part of York County for settlement, positioning Richmond Hill as an essential stopping point along the two-day journey. The town owes much of its development to its location along this “Main Street”.
Community Gallery
In the early 1800s, most people knew everyone in the village. People worked hard, with little rest — except on Sundays when they attended church and socialized with neighbours. By the next century, people had more leisure time. Labour-saving devices lightened workloads and new cleaning materials reduced housework, making it easier for women to work outside the home. As the village grew, so did modern services. Let’s discover our community.
History Room
Enjoy a trip through time starting with the earliest inhabitants in the area moving through the centuries to the city of Richmond Hill we know today. Interactive pop-up panels encourage creative thinking as you meander through this exhibit.
South Gallery
This is a gallery of change that showcases changing exhibits from our Heritage Services team, the community and travelling exhibitions that inspire and connect through cultural heritage.
Rentals
The Richmond Hill Heritage Centre is housed in the architecturally restored 1840s Regency-style cottage that was originally home to Amos Wright, the first Reeve of Markham Township. Located in picturesque Amos Wright Park, the Heritage Centre serves as a unique venue for special celebrations for anyone looking for a historical and authentic setting for meetings, small weddings, baby/bridal showers, photo shoots, private parties and more!
Plan early! Our rental permits are processed 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Staff will respond to your request within five business days. Rental permits take up to 10 business days to process.
| Rental of the Gardenview Room and Patio | ||||||||||||
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This bright, east facing room provides a beautiful indoor setting for intimate gatherings. Overlooking the manicured gardens with direct access to the patio, this room is perfect for small group celebrations like birthdays and baby/bridal showers. The Patio is included with rental May through October. Patio furniture can be permitted for an additional fee. Upgrade your rental permit by adding Amos Wright Park, the All Occasion Package and/or the Beverage Package. Tour the Heritage Centre virtually by clicking here. Room size: 20’x10’ Capacity: 15 people - Class or conference set up (Tables and Chairs) 20 people - Theatre set up (Chairs Only) Hourly Rental Includes:
Fee (in effect until September 6, 2027) HST Applicable: May to October
November to April
Patio Furniture: Set up on the Patio Only – Seating for 20 May to October
Submit a Heritage Centre Permit Request for your preferred date and time. |
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| Rental of Amos Wright Park | ||||||||||||
| Weddings, Picnics and Events
This beautifully landscaped historic park is a popular destination for wedding ceremonies and picnics. Amos Wright Park can accommodate parties of up to 75 guests. Fee (in effect until December 31, 2026) HST Applicable: Picnic/Event Permit:
Three-Hour Wedding Permit:
Submit a Facility rentals request to book Amos Wright Park. Photo Permits For wedding or family photos, we offer a two hour permit. A photography permit must be purchased for use of the grounds on a set date. Fee (in effect until December 31, 2026) HST Applicable:
Submit a Photography Permit Request to book your preferred photo shoot location and time. |
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| The All Occasions Package – Exclusive to the Heritage Centre | ||||||||||||
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Offering a delightful option for your next meeting, bridal shower or get-together with friends, the All Occasions Package offers a hassle-free way to host a function while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the Gardenview Room overlooking Amos Wright Park. The Heritage Centre staff will provide a traditional Victorian tea served buffet style, which includes finger sandwiches, delicious treats and bottomless cups of tea and/or coffee. Capacity: 10 – 20 people Package Includes:
Fee (in effect until December 31, 2026) HST Applicable: May to October
November – April
Submit an All Occasions Permit Request to for your preferred date and time. |
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| Beverage Service– Exclusive to the Heritage Centre | ||||||||||||
| If all you need are the beverages for your next meeting or event, let us handle that for you!
Package includes:
Fee (in effect until December 31, 2026) HST Applicable:
If you would like to book the Beverage Service, please include this in your Heritage Permit Request. |
Other ways to explore and get involved.
- Self-guided tour "Museum of the Streets". Explore the streets of Old Richmond Hill and visit some of our most interesting heritage sites.
- Online Artifact Collection: View over 10,000 artifact images through our online artifact collection database. An ideal resource for students, researchers and history enthusiasts.
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Heritage Services Pop-Up Exhibits. Visit locations around the community to see a variety of Pop-Up Exhibits that showcase items from the Richmond Hill Heritage Services artifact collection. Locations include:
- City of Richmond Hill Municipal Office - 225 East Beaver Creek, First Floor
- Elgin West Community Centre- 11099 Bathurst Street
- McConaghy Centren- 10100 Yonge Street
- Operations Centre - 1200 Elgin Mills Road East
- Rouge Woods Community Centre - 110 Shirley Drive
- Heritage Centre Advisory Committee. Decisions related to Richmond Hill's Heritage Centre are reviewed by the Heritage Centre Advisory Committee.
Service Charter
Learn more about our Service Charter.
| Service Commitments |
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Subscribe to our Heritage Services/RHDDO Mailing List
Receive the latest information on Afternoon Teas, upcoming programs, registration reminders, special offers and events delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to our Heritage Services/RHDDO mailing list.