Past Exhibitions

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.

Photo of exhibit space with maps on display Lego building on display with maps on back wall Photo of Peggy Plet in front of exhibit banner with photo of Levi Carroll Three Lego buildings on display

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.

Photo of the Cipher Decipher exhibit with text panels and artifacts on display Person using cipher wheel Group of people reading text panel and looking at quilt hung on wall Child playing with decipher activity

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.

Woman and child walking through exhibit Album covers displayed on wall Table with craft supplies Display case with artifacts from Erroll Starr

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. Find out how the International Space Station and its research is directly connected to Waterloo.

Display of flight suit Large LCD display with headphones Woman and Child viewing text panel

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 illustrate the unique blend of cultural influences, and a diverse array of styles from around the world.

Exhibit space with clay objects on display Two people viewing display case of pottery Text panel and clay jugs in display case

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 looks at our emerging activities and trends throughout the pandemic and their historic equivalent through artifacts from the City of Waterloo Museum collection.

Text panel from Back 2 Basics exhibit Woman and child looking at bikes on display

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.

small jar of preserved lemon next to large jug of fermenting pinapple Four people standing behind steel table covered in jars. Interior of exhibit display on canning.

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.

interior of museum exhibit hall. interior of exhibit hall, wooden barrel and crates on display.

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.

exhibit hall with panels and glass cases holding objects. Wall displaying athlete photos and names. Exhibit hall with large panel and glass case holding objects.

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.

Interior of exhibit hall, doll houses on display in exhibit. Interior of exhibit display of furniture. Open spiral notebook on table in exhibit display.

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.

Interior of museum exhibit hall, shows large tree. interior of exhibit, shows large diorama.

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.

Exhibit gallery wall displaying objects and glass cases Exhibit hall displaying objects and glass cases.

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.

exhibit display with cocktail glasses and shaker exhibit display of cocktail dresses.

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.

Photo of exhibit space full of cameras Exhibit case displaying cameras. Museum case displaying camera.

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.

Image of exhibit hall displaying objects and cases. Exhibit wall in museum displaying photos and objects.

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.

Interior of exhibit hall displaying textiles on wall. Exhibit wall displaying textiles.

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