STARGAZING
Feds recognize scientific contribution of telescope facility in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s David Dunlap Observatory has been designated a national historic site,
Richmond Hill residents, city staff, council members and the stargazing community are celebrating as the David Dunlap Observatory they fought hard for 10 years to preserve has received national recognition.
The city-owned public amenity was declared a national historic site on July 31 to recognize its historic value and unique contribution to science.
The 76.5-hectare observatory property, bordered by Hillsview Dr., Bayview Ave., 16th Ave. and the CN Railway line, was designated as one of eight new national historic sites across Canada, announced by Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.
“We are thrilled that the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory was recognized as a historical designation,” said Mayor Dave Barrow, noting the city’s decade-long endeavour to preserve the cultural heritage of the observatory.
The unique white landmark, completed in 1935, is home to the largest optical telescope on Canadian soil with a primary mirror measuring more than 1.88 metres.
It was built on a farmstead donated to U of T in the name of David Dunlap, who became wealthy in mining ventures and developed an interest in astronomy.
The reflector telescope — the second largest in the world when it was opened back in 1935 — has been involved in a great number of significant studies in radio astronomy and finding the first evidence that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole.
It is the first national heritage site declared in Richmond Hill.
“I was happily surprised. I think it was something that is a long time coming, and deservedly so for the observatory,” said Ken Baine, a board member and one of the founders of the DDO Defenders.
The non-profit volunteer organization was formed in late 2007 with the primary mission of preserving the observatory when U of T was in the process of selling the semiwild site to a private developer.
After an uphill battle to preserve the observatory property including a mediated settlement at the OMB, Richmond Hill saved more than half the original site in 2016, including the park, the observatory and the administration building.
Last summer, the observatory opened its gates as a townowned public amenity. A variety of programs are available at the observatory for stargazers, children, scientists or anyone who delights in the wonders of the galaxy.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Toronto Centre (RASC-TC) resumed their outreach programs at the heritage site following the transfer.
As a regional centre for education, the observatory provides an array of learning opportunities for the community, such as summer camps for youth, astronomy-themed speaker nights, lecture nights and historical tours.
“It’s a remarkable achievement,” said Councillor Karen Cilevitz. “I’m so proud of the work that I did, proud of the work the DDO Defenders did and, honestly, it was just a privilege to be in the position through all those years.”
Cilevitz has been a key activist for years in the battle for the observatory. She led the DDO Defenders from 2007 to 2013 before the current chair Ian Shelton took over the position after Cilevitz was elected to council.
Prior to the transfer, council members voted to designate the heritage site as a “property of cultural heritage value of interest” in 2009, and approved a Conservation Management Plan for the observatory property two years later.
In 2017, council approved a motion, proposed by Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, to prepare an application to Parks Canada for designation of the town-owned property as a national historic site.