The first land grants in the Richmond area were made on 20th September 1813, and the first stone of the Richmond Bridge was laid on 11th December, 1823. All traffic to Sorell and Port Arthur passed through Richmond at the time (because the Midway Point causeway did not exist) and it became the headquarters of the probation stations set up in the district. The Richmond Village was promulgated by Lt. Governor William Sorell on February 23rd, 1824 and by 1830 was the third largest town in Tasmania and an important military post and convict station. The Richmond Goal was started in 1825, five years before Port Arthur was built.

Richmond's heritage includes the St John's Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic Church still in use in Australia, the Richmond Bridge which is the oldest convict built sandstone bridge still in use in Australia, and the Richmond Primary School which has the oldest surviving primary school building still in use in Australia. The Richmond Anglican Church was erected in 1834 and the Coal River which flows through Richmond derived its name from coal deposits found along the banks of the river in the vicinity of Richmond.

Many other buildings were also erected during the period 1824 - 1850 and many of these can still be seen in and around Richmond. At least 56 places are listed on the Australian Heritage data base. These buildings make Richmond and its immediate surrounds a unique part of Tasmania, because of the great architectural unity of the buildings due to the common materials and period of construction. The district is a major component of Australia's colonial history.

 

A short History of the Richmond Fair

Fairs were run by the Richmond Market Association which was formed at a meeting at the Richmond Courthouse on Saturday 5th January 1828.
The Colonial Times newspaper of the day described the Association's role:
The Establishment of regular Fairs and Markets in Country Districts is calculated to advance the interests of the Colony,- not merely as affording a greater facility in disposing of agricultural produce, but because such established plans of meeting are favourable to that species of intercourse amongst the Settlers, which leads to the discussing of subjects relating to agriculture and the rural interests of the Colony, and discussions tend to promote public unanimity and private emulation in exertions for introducing an improved system of agriculture.
Fairs, markets, agricultural shows have been held in Richmond ever since with great success and popularity.
At the 1828 meeting, Richmond was described as being "well adapted to the holding of fairs, and the meeting of a Farming Society" Little has changed in over 180 years. Richmond remains a vibrant centre for agriculture. Local crafts, viticulture and tourism are also now popular features.