| Discovery Packages for Schools |
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Our Discovery Packages for Schools are designed to meet the requirements outlined in the Ontario curriculum. We are pleased to provide the Curriculum Connections and Objectives for each program to assist teachers with their planning.
To request a booking, please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
| Cloaked in History - What's in Your Closet? |
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Using clothing from the Richmond Hill Collections, students look at clothing through 1800s and 1900s. They discuss the changes in clothing styles and its social impact. During the visit, students will have the opportunity to view Richmond Hill's Historical Collection with historical artifacts and art pieces.
Location: Artifact Storage Facility (City of Richmond Hill Operations Centre), 1200 Elgin Mills Road East, ON L4C 1M4
Grades: 1 to 8 and 10
Subject: Social Studies and History
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grades 1 to 8
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grade 10
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $120 for up to 20 people, $6 per additional person (14 and under)
$135.60 for up to 20 people, $6.78 per additional person (15 and over)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person option available only.
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| For King and Empire |
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Participants learn about the ever-changing roles and the dramatic impact on ordinary men and women of Canada, both during and after the Great War of 1914-1918. Local historical documents and artifacts are used for a better understanding. When Canada came of age, it attained international status as a nation entering the new postwar world. This program includes a walking tour of the heritage neighbourhood.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Grade: 10
Subject: History
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grade 10
Duration: 2.5 hours (Optional 1.5 hours without walking tour)
Fee: $130 for up to 20 people, $6.50 per additional person (14 and under)
$146.90 for up to 20 people, $7.35 per additional person (15 and over)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person or virtual options available. Please indicate your preference when submitting the booking form.
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| Lights Around the World |
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Light and fire are a common element in many faiths, traditions and customs around the world. Students discover and examine a variety of cultural and traditional celebrations that are found in Canadian communities.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Grades: 1 and 2
Subject: Social Studies
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grades 1 & 2
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $120 for up to 20 people, $6 per additional person (14 and under)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person option available only.
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| Patterns for Living |
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Participants gain an understanding of early settlement land use and how geographical characteristics made Richmond Hill an attractive destination. This program includes a walking tour of the heritage neighbourhood.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Grades: 7 and 8
Subject: History and Geography
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grades 7 & 8
Duration: 2.5 hours
Fee: $130 for up to 20 people, $6.50 per additional person (14 and under)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person or virtual options available. Please indicate your preference when submitting the booking form.
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| Pencil and Paper |
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Students illustrate the principles of design, through analysis and creation of their own works of art. During the visit, students will have the opportunity to view Richmond Hill's Historical Collection with historical artifacts and art pieces.
Location: Artifact Storage Facility (City of Richmond Hill Operations Centre), 1200 Elgin Mills Road East, ON L4C 1M4
Grades: 3 to 8
Subject: Art
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grades 3 to 8
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $120 for up to 20 people, $6 per additional person (14 and under)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person option available only.
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| Trade and Industry |
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Students learn about Canada’s growth from the fur trade into one of the world’s most important provider of natural resources. Using local historical documents and artifacts, students examine how trade and industry shaped the country from early First Nations to the present day. This program includes a walking tour of the heritage neighbourhood.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Duration: 3 hours
Grades: 4 to 6
Subject: Social Studies
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grades 4 to 6
Duration: 3 hours
Fee: $140 for up to 20 people, $7 per additional person (14 and under)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person or virtual options available. Please indicate your preference when submitting the booking form.
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| Traveller's Trunk |
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Ontario has always been a destination for newcomers who bring their skills and spirit of adventure to their new land. Students explore our early and recent settlers to this region and what they may have brought with them. This program includes a walking tour of the heritage neighbourhood.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Grade: 3 and 6
Subject: Social Studies
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grade 3
Curriculum Connections and Objectives: Grade 6
Duration: 2.5 hours (Optional 1.5 hours without walking tour)
Fee: $130 for up to 20 people, $6.50 per additional person (14 and under)
Availability: Daytime September to June: Mondays, Tuesday Mornings and Thursdays
In-person or virtual options available. Please indicate your preference when submitting the booking form.
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Can't make it to us? We'll come to you!
All of our programs can be brought to the classroom with our knowledgeable instructors.
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Discovery Tours
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Discover your community’s heritage! We offer a number of tour packages that will allow your group to have a private tour of the Heritage Centre galleries or the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory. Perhaps get some fresh air, exercise and walk through a historic neighbourhood!
To request a booking please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
| Discovery Tour: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre |
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Learn about Richmond Hill's unique heritage viewing our recently renovated galleries, Learn about this 1840s regency-style house and its original owner, Amos Wright. There will be opportunities to ask questions, time for independent gallery viewing.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Ages: 7 years and up
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $52.50 for up to 20 people, $2.62 per additional person plus HST
Availability: Year-round Daytime/Early Evening
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| Discovery Tour: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory |
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Come on a tour of the Administration Building to learn about the history of the land and see the architectural features of this Beaux-Arts style building. This tour includes the opportunity to see the Observatory's 74-inch telescope. Note, this tour is a historical focus of the RHDDO site and does not include astronomy presentations or a demonstration of the 74” telescope.
Location: David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, Richmond Hill
Ages: 7 years and up
Duration: 1 hour
Fee: $84 for up to 20 people, $2.62 per additional person plus HST
Availability: Year-round Daytime/Early Evening
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| Discovery Tour: Guided Neighbourhood Walks |
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Walk through 200 years of history in Richmond Hill's historical neighbourhoods and explore how the patterns of settlement have shaped this original crossroad of human occupation.
Choose from the following Tours:
- Church Street and the Bright Lights of Yonge Street
- Yonge Street West - The Village Backstreets
- Gormley West - Heritage District
- Mill Pond
- Yonge Street North and beyond
Ages: 7 years and up
Duration: 1.5-2 hour
Fee: $52.50 for up to 20 people, $2.62 per additional person plus HST
Availability: Year-round Daytime/Early Evening
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| Discovery Tours and Activity Packages |
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A great outing for your Guide and Scout groups. These programs can also be adapted for ESL classes, community groups or just a get together with friends.
To request a booking please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
| Udderly Funtastic |
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Explore Richmond Hill's dairy industry and learn to churn butter the old-fashioned way! Participants also create a craft.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Ages: 5 to 9
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $81.90 for up to 12 people, $6.82 per additional person (14 and under)
$92.55 for up to 12 people, $7.71 per additional person (15 and over)
Available: Year-round. Daytime, Evenings
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Just Dyeing to Know
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This hands-on activity places emphasis on 19th Century wool and yarn production. Participants investigate how different petals, leaves and bark can create fabric dyes.
Location: Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3E6
Ages: 5 to 9
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: $81.90 for up to 12 people, $6.82 per additional person (14 and under)
$92.55 for up to 12 people, $7.71 per additional person (15 and over)
Available: Year-round. Daytime, Evenings
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Discovery Tour and Tea Package
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Enjoy a look at the old village and identify homes and/or businesses of significance in the development of the City. Groups can choose from one of our Yonge Street tours. The walking tour is approximately 1.5 followed by a relaxing time in the garden view room or patio enjoying a traditional tea service.
Choose from the following Tours:
- Church Street and the Bright Lights of Yonge Street
- Yonge Street West - The Village Backstreets
- Yonge Street North and beyond
Duration: 3 hours
Fee: $275.82 for up to 12 people, $18.37 per additional person plus HST
Available: Year-round. Daytime, Early Evenings and Weekends.
To request a booking please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
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| Heritage Outreach and Virtual Presentations (HOP) |
“We’ve got a Story to Tell.” Your group will enjoy a sit-down visual presentation to learn about personalities, places and events integral to the history of Richmond Hill. We can deliver this presentation in-person at your location or virtually.
Rose Growing in Richmond Hill – A History of a Blooming Important Industry
In the early 20th century Richmond Hill was known as the "rose capital" of Canada and "We've Got a Story to Tell" about the history of this blooming important industry. Join us for this this visual presentation exploring this industry and the several large Greenhouse companies that put Richmond Hill on the map.
Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory - A History
The Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO) has been a centre for astronomical research in Canada and a well-known attraction since its opening on May 31, 1935. But did you know this site was a family farm throughout the 19th century and "We've Got a Story to Tell" about the people that played an instrumental role in the development of the property. Join us for this visual presentation to learn about the history of the land and how it became the RHDDO.
Growing Up Yonge - Part One the 19th Century
Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe officially established Yonge Street in the 1790s. Envisioned as a military road from the Town of York (now Toronto) to Holland Landing, Yonge Street opened up the northern part of York County for settlement and positioned Richmond Hill as an essential stopping point along the two-day journey. Join us for part one of this two-part visual presentation illustrating the growth during the 19th century and the people that were influential in the development of Richmond Hill’s “Main Street”.
Growing Up Yonge – Part Two the 20th Century
In the second part of "Growing up Yonge", we see the evolution of transportation, industry and trade and population growth. Join us for part two of this two-part visual presentation illustrating the role Yonge Street played in the 20th century and how this "Main Street" shaped the village of Richmond Hill.
Heritage Designation – Preserving our Community
Designation of heritage properties is a way of publically acknowledging a property’s cultural heritage value to a community. Designation helps to ensure the conservation of these important places for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Join us as we explore the designation process referencing some of the City’s designated treasures.
Richmond Hill’s Treasures – Behind the scenes of a Museum Collection
Richmond Hill possesses over 10,000 artifacts related to the City’s social, political and economic history. They are held in public trust for the education and enjoyment of City residents. Join us as we take you behind the scenes to learn about the process of collecting the artifacts while exploring the broader activities involved in museum collecting.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Fee: In-Person - $120 for up to 20 people. $6 for each person.
Virtual - $100 per presentation.
Available: Year-round. Daytime, Evenings
To request a booking please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
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Archaeology Discovery Kits
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Archaeology to Go!
Take advantage of our hands-on Discovery Kits. Teachers and group leaders may rent Discovery Kits to enhance classroom and/or group presentations.
Discovery Kits contain a number of prehistoric and historic artifacts that students can handle in order to gain a better understanding of these objects. Background material about Richmond Hill's archaeological history and other general information about how these kits will work best for your group is also included.
Duration: 1 week minimum to 2 week maximum rental
Pick Up/Drop Off Location: McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge Street Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1T8
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fee: $22.05 + HST per kit per week
Available: Year-round.
To request a booking please review the descriptions and fill out the Discovery Package request form.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Heritage Services and the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre
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| Will Outdoor teas and Walking Tours still run if the weather is not cooperating? |
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Yes, all programs will run rain or shine. Teas will be held indoors and we ask that your dress accordingly for the weather for outdoor activities.
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| What are the supervision requirements for Schools/Youth Service/Children’s Group bookings? |
| All teachers, group leaders and parents must take an active role in the supervision of their groups.
Group Ratios Required:
- One adult for every 10 children between the ages of 5 and 17 years of age
- One adult for every five children 4 years old and younger
Alternative arrangements must be made for children not participating in the program, this includes infants.
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I have a small group, is there a reduce fee for a smaller group?
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| Our Private and Group packages have a set minimum fee and we are unable to adjust this for smaller groups. We recommend that you invite another group, more family members or friends to join your group. |
| Is the Heritage Centre accessible? |
| Yes, the Heritage Centre has a barrier free accessible ramp located on the north side of the building. All galleries are fully accessible. |
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