Past exhibits
Explore the exhibits that have shaped our museum’s history. Each entry includes exhibit information, dates and photos.
On this page
- Legacy of Hope Exhibits
- Waterloo from Above: 200 Years of Change
- Cipher Decipher
- Rock This Town: Music & Memories
- Health In Space: Daring to Explore
- The Many Shapes of Clay
- Back 2 Basics REBOOT: Timely Pieces from the Collection
- A Taste of Science
- The Sublime Mr. Seagram
- Love Sport? Game On!
- At Home: Residential Architecture in Waterloo
- Tales of Fantasy: Our Myths and Legends
- This All Belongs to You!
- Cocktails…Because no good story starts with a salad
- Thru the Lens: Camera Obscura to Smartphone
- The Jewel of the City: Celebrating 125 Years of Waterloo Park
- Creating Futures: Threads of Hope for African Grandmothers
Legacy of Hope Exhibits Killing the Indian in the Child: Generations Lost & Bi-Gwen: Coming Home Truth Telling from the Sixties Scoop
January 21 to June 13, 2025
The City of Waterloo Museum was honoured to present two impactful exhibitions in partnership with the Legacy of Hope Foundation: Killing the Indian in the Child: Generations Lost and Bi-Giwen: Coming Home - Truth-Telling from the Sixties Scoop. Both exhibits examined the devastating effects of Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop on Indigenous communities while highlighting resilience and the journey toward healing and Reconciliation. The City museum also featured Bead the Tract, an artistic representation of the Haldimand Tract created by Protect the Tract, and an original graphic recording by Mohawk artist Teyotsihstokwáthe (Dakota Brant).
Waterloo from Above: 200 Years of Change
January 26 to December 27, 2024
Waterloo from Above: 200 Years of Change told the story in pictures of how our human impact and urbanization has changed the city. From farmland turned into houses, the exhibit also highlighted the story of Black freedom seeker Levi Carroll and his family through work with local researcher and historian Peggy Plet.
Cipher Decipher
July 11 to December 29, 2023
Cipher | Decipher broke down communications encryption: what it is, how it works, and how it affects our lives. The City of Waterloo Museum complemented the travelling exhibit with local stories and partnerships including the Guelph Black Heritage Society.
Rock This Town: Music & Memories
October 25, 2022 to June 23, 2023
Celebrating Rock This Town, a documentary produced by Waterloo native Betty Anne Keller, this exhibit highlighted some of the live music moments we have enjoyed in the area from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
Health In Space: Daring to Explore
February 22, 2022 to September 23, 2022
Exploring how gravity, radiation and isolation pose unique challenges to astronauts through authentic artifacts and interactives. We found out how the International Space Station and its research is directly connected to Waterloo.
The Many Shapes of Clay
August 3, 2021 to April 22, 2022
Decorative or functional, clay items convey the traditions and stories of a culture. Over 75 historic ceramic pieces from the collection illustrated the unique blend of cultural influences, and a diverse array of styles from around the world.
Back 2 Basics REBOOT: Timely Pieces from the Collection
July 28, 2020 to May 14, 2021
When the global pandemic was declared, a desire to be self-sufficient took root. Back 2 Basics Reboot looked at our emerging activities and trends throughout the pandemic and their historic equivalent through artifacts from the City of Waterloo Museum collection.
A Taste of Science
November 19, 2019 to March 20, 2020
What exactly makes food go bad? How science keeps our food safe. A Canada Agriculture and Food exhibit.
The Sublime Mr. Seagram
June 11 to November 1, 2019
Uncovering the stories of innovator Joseph E. Seagram’s extraordinary life in Waterloo. Distiller, horse breeder, humanitarian, politician and family man. Mr. Seagram's legacy remains strong 100 years after his death.
Love Sport? Game On!
November 13, 2018 to March 15, 2019
Waterloo is passionate about its sports and recreational activities. Take a journey through our city’s sporting history. Meet some of the talented athletes competing in Waterloo today.
At Home: Residential Architecture in Waterloo
June 5 to October 27, 2018 development
Waterloo’s neighbourhoods are bursting with fabulous architecture. From log homes and Edwardian, sleek mid-century modern to high-rise condos, Waterloo architecture is diverse.
Tales of Fantasy: Our Myths and Legends
February 26 to May 18, 2018
Discover legendary characters from tales long ago. Uncover the truth behind some of the spooky stories that are a part of Canada’s past. A Sherbrook Museum of Nature and Science exhibit.
This All Belongs to You! 150 Waterloo Stories of People, Places and Things
June 20, 2017 to January 26, 2018
We’re celebrating all things Waterloo for Canada's 150th birthday! We dig deep into our historic collection to share 150 stories about Waterloo people, places and things.
Cocktails…Because no good story starts with a salad
October 12, 2016 to January 6, 2017
It’s all about the glitz and glam of the cocktail ritual over the past century in this exhibit! We're spotlighting the fabulously swish and the undeniably tacky barware from the museum’s signature Seagram Collection.
Thru the Lens: Camera Obscura to Smartphone
April 12 to September 30, 2016
Say “cheese”! For over a century, cameras have been around to capture our most important moments. Over 50 cameras tell the story of development of photography.
The Jewel of the City: Celebrating 125 Years of Waterloo Park
May 5 to September 26, 2015
This exhibit will bring back a flood of happy memories of Waterloo Park. School track and field day, the toboggan slide, band concerts and family picnics. We put together a collection of treasured photographs and objects from the last 125 years of Waterloo Park.
Creating Futures: Threads of Hope for African Grandmothers
May 21 to September 26, 2014
A textile art exhibit highlighting 29 stirring works donated by talented artists. Organized by the OMAS SISKONA of Kitchener-Waterloo, these works celebrate the hope and resolve of African grandmothers working to turn the tide of the AIDS pandemic in their communities.
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Tuesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday closed
Sunday closed