Presentations
Host a presentation for your service club, church group, or community program either in person or virtually! We have a wide range of presentations on Waterloo’s past with a “show and tell” component. These presentations include a variety of images, objects, and stories from our collection.
Presentations are approximately 1 hour in length.
Fee: $50 per presentation.
Topics include:
A Look at Christmas Past in Waterloo |
| 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. |
Game on! Sporting in Waterloo |
| Since Waterloo’s humble beginnings as a village in 1857, sports and recreation have been an integral part of the community’s fabric. Join us to explore the highlights and achievements of Waterloovians in Sports! |
History Junction: The Manufacturing Past of Uptown Waterloo |
| Uptown Waterloo is the heart of Waterloo, but what has this meant throughout the decades? You can book this presentation for a trip through time around Uptown Waterloo to find out how our needs from the city centre have changed over time. |
If You Don’t Work, You Won’t Eat! Early Food Preservation in Waterloo |
| Bring your appetite for learning as we look at the history of food. This presentation doesn’t come with an instant pot experience, but reminisces about the hours of preparation needed for fermenting, drying, canning and smoking. Find out what life was like before the fast-food industry and instant meals made minute meals possible. |
Prohibition in Canada: What Happened in Waterloo? |
| We have all heard about prohibition, but what was it really like for folks living here 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. |
School Days in Waterloo |
| 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 impacted our community today and find out about education, now and then. |
Stories of Early Settlers, Mayors, Mavericks and Rebels |
| Explore the early beginnings of Waterloo as a village. Find out who some of the movers and shakers were that helped lay the foundation for the City we know and love today. |
Tales from the Barrel Warehouse: The Story of the Seagram Empire |
| The Seagram Empire is truly a homegrown success story. Book this presentation to find out how an average flour mill turned into a world renowned whisky distillery. We will explore stories of the men who made this brand a household name and put Waterloo on the global map. |
The Birth of Waterloo’s Suburban Neighbourhoods |
| This presentation looks at the growth of suburbs in Waterloo following WWII and a man, Charlie Voelker, who cared deeply about his city. Join us to explore how these two stories connect together and lay the foundation for a booming Waterloo. |
The Sublime Mr. Seagram: Waterloo’s Innovator |
| The man, the myth and the legend, Joseph E. Seagram. Take a deep dive into the Seagram story and find out more about Joseph and his family. Who was he really? What was their life really like? And what was his legacy? Book this presentation to get these questions answered. |
Trails, Rails and Trucks: A Brief History of Transportation |
| We all have places to go and people to meet, but it wasn’t always that easy! So jump on board and buckle up as we look at the history of carriages, cabooses and cars in Waterloo. Join us for a journey from horse drawn and electric street cars to modern light rails and the ION. |
Waterloo Park: Over 100 Years of Memories |
| Join us for a journey through Waterloo Park as we explore its various sights and sounds throughout time. This jewel in the heart of the city has many great stories that we will explore together. |
Welcome to the City of Waterloo Museum |
| Start by getting to know about us, the City of Waterloo Museum, and what we provide to the community. This will include a peek at some of our favourite artifacts. Then we will shift focus to a general exploration of Waterloo history highlighting some of the big business, names and popular locations around town. |
Wish you were Here!: Picture Postcards of Waterloo |
| Let’s explore 20 stories of Waterloo through 20 postcards. Postcards were the text messages of their day, so find out what their images and messages say about a time, place and generation. |
Suggest a New Topic |
| If you have a topic in mind, we might be able to create a custom presentation for your group. Let’s Discuss! |