Community programs at the museum

Get in the holiday mood with this festive presentation about Christmas traditions. We will explore where some of our favorite holiday activities come from and how they have changed over the years. In addition, the presentation will look at some of Waterloo’s favourite winter traditions.

In Waterloo, people have lived in all sorts of places: log homes, two-storey houses, Victory houses, sleek mid-century modern homes, and low-rise apartments — all making way for today’s high-rise condominium trend. At Home in Waterloo takes us on a tour of our neighbourhoods and the architectural styles found across our city.

Since Waterloo’s humble beginnings as a village in 1857, sports and recreation have been an integral part of our community. Join us to explore the highlights and achievements of Waterloovians in sports. Summer and winter versions of this presentation are available.

Uptown Waterloo is the heart of our city, but what has that meant over the decades? You can book this presentation to take a trip through time and see how our needs from the city centre have changed.

Bring your appetite for learning as we look at the history of food. This presentation doesn’t come with an instant pot experience, but it does revisit the hours of preparation needed for fermenting, drying, canning and smoking. Find out what life was like before fast food and instant meals made minute meals possible.

Explore the early beginnings of Waterloo as a village. Learn about the movers and shakers who helped lay the foundation for the city we know today.

Join the City of Waterloo Museum to explore local stories of those who served. Learn how our community contributed globally, nationally and locally during difficult times, both overseas and on the home front.

We have all heard about prohibition, but what was it really like for people living in Waterloo? Join us for a national and local look at what a “dry” society was like. This presentation will quench your thirst with some fun local stories.

No pencils, books or teachers’ dirty looks here as we learn about the history of education in Waterloo. Meet some of the people whose legacies shaped our community and explore what education was like then and now.

The Seagram empire is truly a homegrown success story. Book this presentation to learn how an average flour mill turned into a world-renowned whisky distillery. Explore stories of the men who made this brand a household name and helped put Waterloo on the global map.

Did you know that Joseph Seagram, famous for his whisky empire, also made a lasting impact on the world of horse racing? His influence helped transform the sport in Canada, leaving a legacy that still resonates today. Explore how Seagram shaped the industry, meet the legendary horses and jockeys, and hear stories about the local people who kept his stables thriving. Discover the connection between whisky and the thrill of the track!

The man, the myth and the legend: Joseph E. Seagram. Take a deep dive into the Seagram story and learn more about Joseph and his family. Who was he really? What was their life like? And what was his legacy? Book this presentation to get these questions answered.

We all have places to go and people to meet, but it wasn’t always that easy. Jump on board and buckle up as we explore the history of carriages, cabooses and cars in Waterloo. Join us for a journey from horse-drawn and electric streetcars to modern light rail and the ION.

Join us for a journey through Waterloo Park as we explore its sights and sounds over time. This jewel in the heart of the city has many great stories to share.

Start by getting to know us, the City of Waterloo Museum, and what we provide to the community. We’ll share a peek at some of our favourite artifacts. Then we’ll shift to a general exploration of Waterloo’s history, highlighting big businesses, well-known names and popular locations around town.

Let’s explore 20 stories of Waterloo through 20 postcards. Postcards were the text messages of their day, and their images and messages offer a window into a time, place and generation.

Join us to explore Waterloo’s transformation over the past 200 years. From its humble beginnings as a 12-square-kilometre village in 1876 to a thriving city of 64 square kilometres today, we’ll journey through time using historic maps, aerial images and photographs. Discover how farmland became vibrant neighbourhoods and how manufacturing hubs evolved into global innovation centres.

If you have a topic in mind, we might be able to create a custom presentation for your group.

Let’s discuss!

From coroners and undertakers to distillers and cigar-makers, these individuals – either directly or indirectly – dealt in death throughout the history of Waterloo. Join museum staff at the cemetery to learn more about these historical dealers in death.

Most people have heard of Joseph E. Seagram and his distillery business, however, there is so much more to a successful business than just the leader. This tour explores the stories of those who worked behind the scenes building the company and family’s success. 

Waterloo’s Mount Hope Cemetery consists of nine acres of landscaped grounds and is the resting place for many people whose lives helped shape this city and community.  This walking tour highlights the gravesites of some early notable residents: Mayors, Movers and Shakers.

Ever wonder what accidental death or a murder scandal looked like in the early days of Waterloo?  Over the years we have uncovered some fascinating tales… not for the faint of heart. 

Women have traditionally been left out of history. This tour aims to shed some light on the women we know to be distinctive in our local history. These women are, as the title of the tour suggests, much more than the wives and daughters of Waterloo’s movers and shakers of this city. We can only imagine what amazing things these women might have done had they had the same opportunities as their fathers and brothers.

The little log schoolhouse in Waterloo Park is the oldest standing school house in Ontario. Throughout the tour we will learn more about the students who attended this school, teachers who taught the classes and the trustees who worked behind the scenes.

Looking for a great way to commemorate Remembrance Day or honour those who fought in the World Wars? This tour through the cemetery will shed some light on stories of local heroes, heroines and brave souls who defended our country in times of need.