Notice of Intent to Designate - 10231 Yonge Street

Notice of Intention to Designate

The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill

Re:       Notice of Intention to Designate
             10231 Yonge Street
             City of Richmond Hill ON L4C 3B2
             City File No.: D12-07468

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill (“Council”) intends to designate the above noted property as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under part IV and pursuant to section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990,c.0.18.

And take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill stated their intention to designate said property under the Ontario Heritage Act on June 19, 2024.

A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the property and a description of the heritage attributes of the property is set out below.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest:

The Hume House at 10231 Yonge Street, built circa the 1840s, has design and physical value because it is an early and rare example of 19th century vernacular architecture in Richmond Hill, and because it is a very early remaining example of development along Yonge Street. The Hume House consists of a 1 ½-storey timber frame structure with a rectangular plan. Historical architectural features that contribute to the early and rare 19th-century vernacular style include its timber frame construction, the medium-sloped front gable roof with eave return, the two-bay composition of the main (west) façade, the flat-headed second storey windows on the main (west) façade, and the irregularly-placed flat-headed windows on the south façade. Historical architectural features that contribute to the early representation of development along Yonge Street include its orientation and placement flush with Yonge Street.

The Hume House has historical and associative value for its direct associations with the Hume family. The Hume family, including Alexander Hume, his first wife Electa, and his second wife Mary, lived in the subject building for over fifty years from the 1890s to 1945. The Hume family was remarkably involved in the village and made many contributions to early Richmond Hill life. Alexander Hume was Richmond Hill’s second clerk from 1905 to 1945, ran a tailoring business for over thirty years, and held posts as librarian, notary public, and village auditor. Electa Hume was the longtime secretary of the Richmond Hill Horticultural society until 1941. As well, Alexander, Mary, and Electa heavily contributed to Richmond Hill’s cultural and musical circles – Alexander was a vocalist, choir leader, and bandmaster for decades, Electa was the Methodist church organist for almost forty years, and Mary was an accomplished vocalist.

The Hume House has contextual value because its scale, form, and vernacular architectural style are important in defining and maintaining the predominantly 19th and early 20th century main street character along Yonge Street. The property also contributes to the historic character of Richmond Hill’s village core more broadly, which is typified by a mixture of 19th and early 20th century small-scale residential and commercial structures along Yonge Street, and fine-grained residential built form located on side streets east and west of Yonge Street.

The Hume House also has contextual value because it is visually and historically linked to its surroundings on the east side of Yonge Street in Richmond Hill’s historic village core. The structure is visually linked to its surroundings because it has a similar scale, massing, material, and character to other 19th century structures still standing on Yonge Street. As one of the earliest structures remaining on Yonge Street in the village core, it is historically linked to the early wave of development that arose to accommodate the village’s growing population in the early- to mid-19th century.

Description of Heritage Attributes:

• The scale, form, and massing of the 1 ½ storey building with a rectangular plan;
• The medium-pitched front gable roof with return eaves;
• The timber frame construction;
• The two-bay composition on the second storey of the main (west) façade;
• The window openings, including:
• The flat-headed windows in a two-bay composition on the main (west) façade; and
• The mixture of flat-headed windows in an irregular configuration on the south (side) façade;
  • The building’s scale, siting, and orientation on the east side of Yonge Street; and
  • The house’s modest 19th-century vernacular architectural style and material palette.

Note: the existing storefronts at grade and the building’s rear (east) addition are not considered be heritage attributes.

Notice of Objection:

Any person who objects to the above noted Council’s intention to designate shall, within 30 days after the publication of this notice, serve on the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill, a Notice of Objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts.  The last day to submit the Notice of Objection is July 26, 2024.

Service may be made digitally by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by delivery personally to the City Clerk or by Regular Mail at the following address:

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill ON  L4B 3P4
 

Obtaining Additional Information:

Additional information about heritage planning at the City of Richmond Hill may be obtained by contacting Heritage Planning City staff by e-mail at heritage@richmondhill.ca. Take note that a Notice of Objection may only be served to the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill as stated above.

Dated this 26th day of June, 2024

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4
E-mail: clerks@richmondhill.ca