Overview

Heritage is a legacy inherited from the past and valued in the present and which helps interpret and shape the future. Conserving and celebrating heritage strengthens the community's sense of place and unique identity.

Richmond Municipal Hall (ca 1920) - City of Richmond Archives 1987-0097-00001

Richmond was incorporated as a municipality on November 10, 1879. Richmond history is deeply rooted in fishing and agriculture and its proximity to the river that has shaped the community's growth. Richmond has also been the centre of aviation in British Columbia. Proximity to the airport has been a major factor in Richmond's ongoing development. To learn more about Richmond's history, please visit the City's Suburban History page.

Richmond's heritage is reflected in various buildings and places and also in intangible resources from these eras. Together these resources contribute to the unique identity and heritage character of Richmond.

The City's 2041 Official Community Plan includes policies to preserve, promote, and celebrate community heritage, and commemorate tangible and intangible heritage resources. The City also adopted a comprehensive heritage conservation program for Steveston Village in 2009 and uses a variety of planning tools to conserve heritage for future generations.

Below are helpful links to other heritage-related websites.

City of Richmond Archives
City of Richmond Museum and Heritage Services
British Columbia's Historic Places (Heritage Branch)
Heritage BC
Canada's Historic Places

Richmond Municipal Hall, the Brighouse Racetrack Grandstand, Brighouse Lacrosse Box and Granville Avenue (1955) - City of Richmond Archives 1977 - 00001-00062