The Heritage Centre showcases exhibits to learn about the history of Richmond Hill and more. 

Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursdays 4 - 8 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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. 

New Featured Exhibit - Standing in the Doorway: Lived Histories and Experiences of the Chinese Community  l  March 29 to August 16

Standing in the Doorway: Lived Histories and Experiences of the Chinese Community

縈繞中華文化: 華人社區歷史和生活展覽

萦绕中华文化: 华人社区历史和生活展览 

On display at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre from March 29 to August 16, 2025.

Home. Place. Belonging. Throughout Canadian history, people of Chinese descent have contributed to the development of our nation. They resisted and persevered, overcoming stereotypes, labels, and racist policies. They created homes and built places and spaces to foster connection and community.

Now, we commemorate and remember the contributions of Chinese Canadians over the past 100 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act. Explore, learn, and listen to the stories, traditions and knowledge of the diverse Chinese Canadian community from York Region.

This exhibit was developed by the Markham Museum and the York Region District School Board Museum and Archives working in conjunction with YRDSB students, and the University of Toronto Museum Studies program.

Now accepting requests to book an exhibit tour or discovery package. 

York Region District School Board
Heritage Services
City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill Public Library
Markham Museum
City of Markham

Additional funding provided by:

Government of Canada
Government of Ontario