‘Jewel of Tasmania’s crown’: 200th birthday bash for historic Richmond

The stories from 200-year-old Richmond, capital of the Coal River Valley, will be brought to life in a four-month long history party. See the details of every single event, exhibition, party and parade.

The town of Richmond will come alive over five weekends this summer as the historic township celebrates 200 years since the first foundation stone was laid on the town’s beloved bridge.

A program of more than 70 events, exhibits and festivals from December to March next year will commemorate the town’s bicentenary, headlined by a street parade through the town centre to the heart of the town’s heritage – Richmond Bridge.

Pam Davies, Gaylene Hobden, Michelle Pears, Sue Harmsen, Clive Davies, Taryn Davies, Jeremy Davies, Rosie Davies and Bec Davies ahead of the Richmond Bicentenary. Picture: Chris Kidd

Event producers, the Richmond Bicentenary planning committee, hope to tell the many “conflicting stories” of the historic town in the celebrations, with creative director Noel Frankham emphasising the bridge’s importance in establishing the Richmond that Tasmanians see today.

“Richmond is one of the most significant towns in the country, especially in Tasmania,” he said.

“It was hugely important in establishing British settlements through the state and associated to that, it played a role in the damage and destruction of the Mumirimina people – the original owners of this land. It’s more important than ever that we understand the stories of the places and of those who live here now.”

In curating events and exhibits for the bicentenary, Mr Frankham said frequent community consultations and the help of key historians in the local community guided the program over summer.

“We had lots of consultations with the community – with fantastic ideas shared that encouraged us to pursue the idea of five themed long-weekends in the Coal River Valley,” he said.

Organisers are expecting Richmond’s bicentenary events to be “hugely popular” over Tasmania’s peak summer tourism period, with the mayor of event collaborator Clarence City Council, Brendan Blomeley, affirming Richmond’s popularity with locals and tourists alike.

“This is one of the most popular, must-visit places when people visit Tasmania – Richmond is the jewel in Tasmania’s crown,” he said.

Michelle Pears, Jeremy Davies and Taryn Davies ahead of the Richmond Bicentenary. Picture: Chris Kidd

The first of Richmond Bicentenary’s Weekends in the Valley begins on Friday, December 8. Other events will continue through to Monday, March 11 next year.

For more information, head to www.richmond200.com

Richmond Bicentenary Weekends in the Valley

Weekend in the Valley 1 – December 8–11

Bridge Street Parade – 10–11.30am, Sunday, December 10, Bridge Street, Richmond.

Bicentenary Launch – 11.30am–12pm, Sunday, December 10, Lawns northeast side of Richmond Bridge.

Sounding the Bridge – 7.30–9.30pm, Saturday, December 9, Richmond Town Hall.

Weekend in the Valley 2 – January 18–22

Collectors Roadshow – 10am–4pm, Sunday, January 21, Richmond Village Green.

Mumirimina Country – A People Forgotten 11am–4pm, January 18–22, Richmond Courthouse.

Barnes Collection – Richmond photographs 11am–4pm, January 18–22, Richmond Supper Room.

Memorabilia/historical items exhibition – 11am–4pm, January 18–22, ‘Artbox’, Richmond Village Green.

Weekend in the Valley 3 – February 9–12

Convict family reunions and displays – 10am–4pm, Monday, February 12, Richmond Town Hall & Supper Room.

Alexander Laing Concert – The Wolfe & Thorne 5.45–6.45pm, Saturday, February 10, Richmond Gaol.

Heritage Farming Expo – February 10–11.

Convict Muster – February 10–12.

Weekend in the Valley 4 – February 23–27

Open House Richmond – 10am–4pm, February 24–25, throughout Richmond and Coal River Valley.

Heritage Fiddle Ensemble Concert ‘Postcards’ – 7.30–8.30pm, Saturday, February 24, Richmond Town Hall.

Mumirimina Country – A People Forgotten 11am–4pm, February 23–27, Richmond Courthouse.

Wesley Stacey’s 1960s Richmond – 11am–4pm, 23–27 February, Richmond Supper Room.

Weekend in the Valley 5 – March 8 – 11

Richmond Village Fair – 10am–3pm, Sunday, March 10, Richmond Village Green.

Street Party for residents – 6–9pm, Sunday, March 10, Richmond Village Green.

Bicentenary closing formalities – 7pm, Sunday, March 10, Richmond Village Green.