Richmond County Historical Society
Searching for a New Home for Richmond’s Giant Painting
We are working to secure a permanent home for an artifact of Richmond’s history: a giant painting created in 1942 by Eastern Townships artist Antonio Montour. Originally the backdrop for the stage at the Richmond Town Hall, the painting has since been on a unique journey.
Ahead of the Town Hall’s demolition, the painting was relocated to the Saint-Famille Church, which was also eventually demolished. In 2020, it was moved again—this time to the Richmond and Melbourne United Church, where it is currently housed. We are deeply grateful to the church for providing a temporary home for this remarkable piece of our history.
(Photo courtesy of Spencer Van Dyk/CBC)
This mammoth painting (the size of a swimming pool!) has captured the attention of the CBC, who have chronicled its journey and its significance to our community.
- Listen to the 2025 CBC Radio clip: Giant Painting Still Searching for a Home
- Read the 2020 CBC article: Why a Quebec Town Keeps Moving a Painting the Size of a Swimming Pool
The RCHS is determined to find a permanent location for this artwork so it can continue to be appreciated as a key part of Richmond’s heritage.
If you have ideas or know of a suitable space for this incredible painting, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@rchs-shcr.ca.
RCHS Newsletters 2018 – 2024
Explore past editions of our newsletter for a timeline of important updates from RCHS and glimpses into Richmond area’s history.
- Spring 2024: available here.
- Fall 2023: available here.
- Spring 2023: available here.
- Spring 2022: available here.
- Summer 2020: available here.
- Spring 2019: available here.
- Fall 2018: available here.
Summer 2022:
Art Show and Sale featuring Jennie Johnston, Daniel St. Amant, Sandra Picken Roberts, and Tracey Hill. Read more about each of their work at the websites below. Opening hours are from July 1 to August 26, from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00.
Artists’ Websites:
Jennie Johnston • Daniel St. Amant • Sandra Pickens Roberts • Tracey Hill
We are also hosting an outdoor exhibit Black Histories in the Townships presented in collaboration with the Eastern Townships Resource Centre (ETRC), which will be open to the public from June 6th to October 9th. This exhibit can be visited outside of our opening hours by visiting the self-guided graphic information panels in front of the RCHS Museum.
Check our Facebook page for any possible changes related to long weekend schedules. Appointments available by calling 819-826-1332.
Mural Project:
A committee of interested members of the Richmond St. Pat’s Society and the RCHS have been working together on a project to have a mural created in downtown Richmond, on the wall of Quincaillerie Richmond Hardware.
The goal of this project is to remind everyone who lives in the area that we all belong here, have a shared history in the area, and have all contributed to the area’s development, regardless of our ethnic roots. With this reminder of what we have achieved together is the promise of what we can continue to build together by working together to achieve common goals.
We are grateful to Ville de Richmond, Canton de Melbourne, Canton de Cleveland, the MRC, André Bachand MNA for Richmond-Arthabaska and the Minister of Agriculture, QAHN, and the Secretariat for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers as one of their Belonging and Identity projects, as well as the many local businesses, organizations, families and individuals who have made this project possible.
This is an ambitious project will finally be installed this summer.