In 1990, a joint effort led by Burtt Richardson with the assistance of Ingram Richardson, Newall Woodworth, Bill Richardson, and others, proposed, and organized the first Family Reunion. Burtt identified all descendants of James Cope and Louisa Townsand Richardson, contacted and invited all the living descendants, including spouses and children, to attend the reunion on the coast of Maine. Funds, contributed by family members to subsidize the reunion, resulted in 125 family members journeying to Maine to “discover our amazing family,” share stories, food, laughter, and a sunset boat cruise on the coast where lively conversations continued far into the evening.
Five years later in 1995, we discovered our Burtt family roots, when 80 of us gathered in England, hosted by Jean and Dennis Burtt at the Burtt family lodge, and again shared stories, laughter, food, a tour of Lincolnshire and an impressive castle.
Reflecting our make-up as an international family, the 2000 Reunion, hosted by Maria and Alan Richardson was held in Montreal, where young and older member of our family shared common interests/experiences in careers, enjoyed a performance by younger members of the family, shared stories and food and toured the city.
Gathering around an evening campfire and sharing stories brought a close to the 2005 Reunion, hosted by Henry and Sarah Richardson, at their cabin, Quail Heath, nestled in a peaceful, isolated valley of the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. As in previous reunions, reconnecting with family and meeting other members for the first time, including Douglas Thomas, who had fulfilled a life dream of travelling from his home in South Africa, storytelling, and lawn games filled the day.
We were beckoned to Chicago for the 2010 Reunion, beginning with an evening of cultural entertainment, a lawn picnic and evening of music in Millenium Park, the 50th anniversary dinner celebrating Burtt and Gladys’s marriage, and a gathering at Katherine and Kevin Kenward’s home in Flossmoor, for a low-keyed day of re-connecting, a luncheon featuring salmon caught by Steven Masley on an Alaskan expedition, and memorable story telling that lasted all afternoon.
Our 25th reunion in 2015 saw many off the Richardson relatives meet again in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Anne and Colin Williamson graciously opened their home to a wine and cheese gathering on the Friday evening where we renewed friendships and met relatives from Australia and Scotland for the first time. On Saturday, we gathered to re-connect, share stories and update the family tree. Some of the attendees also went on a visit to a Mennonite farm and other activities. Saturday evening, we gathered as a group for a BBQ dinner at the hotel and more visiting. Sunday was spent touring the neighbourhood and sharing stories. Sunday evening, we said our so longs until the next gathering.
The reunion planned for 2020 was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic. But with popular demand things came together in 2023. Our hosts Gary Richardson and Campbell Millar hosted our gathering in Stirling Scotland. Centered at the hotel located at the University of Stirling. The event started with being hosted by Gary and Campbell at their home. In addition to family gatherings at the University we had the opportunity to visit Stirling Castle and the Wallace National Monument.