Heritage Groups and Organizations
The list below includes links to organizations and groups within the Region of Waterloo that have a special interest in the heritage of the region.
About
ACO Cambridge promotes the preservation of buildings, neighbourhoods and natural areas that are of architectural, historic and cultural significance and that enhance the unique character and quality of life in Cambridge and North Dumfries.
Contact
ACO Cambridge Website
About
The North Waterloo of ACO promotes architectural conservancy through the advocacy for built heritage, member participation in tours, meetings and educational programs.
Contact
ACO: North Waterloo Region Website
Contact
Archives of the Region of Waterloo Website
Contact
Cambridge Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee Website
About
An 1877 Grand Victorian home, including archival material from the home and surrounding area.
Contact
Castle Kilbride Website
60 Snyder's Rd. W, Baden, N3A 1A1
519-634-8444
About
Established in 1853 by Scottish settlers.
Contact
Doon Presbyterian Church Website
doonpc@golden.net
35 Roos St. (behind Homer Watson Gallery) 519-748-4540
About
Doors Open, Waterloo Region, will open the doors of more than 30 heritage properties in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Wilmot, Woolwich, and Wellesley at no cost to the public, every third Saturday in September.
For the Province of Ontario, the Doors Open Web Site, go to: www.doorsopenontario.on.ca.
Contact
Doors Open, Waterloo Region Website
info@photomemory.on.ca
Doors Open, Waterloo Region 52 Willow St., Waterloo, N2J 1V5, 519-747-5139
About
The Friends of Waterloo Region Museum is a voluntary public foundation dedicated to the preservation of Waterloo's Region's history and cultures.
Contact
Friends of Waterloo Region Museum Website
About
The Friends showcase the historical buildings of the former Waterloo County Gaol and Governor's House at Queen and Weber Streets, Kitchener.
Contact
jhaalboom@aol.com
Jean Haalboom, PO Box 29004, Frederick Plaza Postal Outlet, Kitchener, N2H 6S6
About
The Grand River Conservation Authority manages water and other natural resources on behalf of 39 municipalities and close to one million residents.
Contact
Grand River Conservation Authority Website
About
Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for Kitchener.
Provides advice to City Council on the preservation, alteration, and demolition of buildings and properties.
Contact
Heritage Planner, Kitchener, 519-741-2306
About
Protecting our cultural landscapes.
Contact
HPAC Website
Heritage Planning Advisory Committee, Region of Waterloo
Contact: Cultural Heritage Specialist; 519-575-4400
About
Promotes the rich history of Wilmot Township.
Contact
Heritage Wilmot Website
Heritage Wilmot
60 Snyder's Road West, Baden, ON N3A 1A1, 519-634-8444
About
To preserve and promote the unique history and heritage of the former Town of Hespeler.
Contact
Lary Turner lary_turner@msn.com
About
Collects historical data, preserves historic buildings, maintains records, and maintains Edward Halter House as a resource centre.
Contact
Historical Society of St. Boniface and Maryhill Community Website
Historical Society of St. Boniface and Maryhill Community, Box 123, Maryhill, N0B 2B0
email: maryhillroots@gmail.com
- Historical Preston
About
To preserve, study and educate the public through displays consisting of written and oral histories, visuals and artifacts.
Contact
lruddy@sprint.ca
About
Museum & Public Gallery. Classes, exhibitions, workshops and special events. An Artist-in-Residence program.
Contact
Homer Watson House Website
1754 Old Mill Rd., Kitchener, ON N2P 1H7, 519-748-4377
About
Museum/Public Gallery, National Historic Site, Folk Artist-in-Residence
Contact
Joseph Schneider Haus Museum,
466 Queen Street South, Kitchener, ON N2G 1W7, 519-742-7752
About
Archival collections of the Waterloo Historical Society, and the Ontario Genealogical Society.
Contact
Kitchener Public Library Website
Kitchener Public Library, Grace Schmidt Room,
85 Queen St N, Kitchener, N2H 2H1
743-0271, x252
About
Provides local collectors of post cards with the opportunity to meet, trade, and research archival and rare post cards.
Contact
Rych Mills; 519-742-4990
rychmills@golden.net
- North Dumfries Heritage Committee
Contact
North Dumfries Heritage Committee,
c/o Clerks Office, 1171 Greenfield Road, RR # 4, Cambridge, N1R 5S5
- Ontario Historical Society
Contact
Ontario Historical Society Website
Ontario Historical Society, c/o Patricia Neal, 34 Parkview Avenue, Willowdale, M2N 2Y2
About
Purpose: to preserve Pennsylvanian German Heritage in Waterloo Region.
Contact
Pennsylvania German Folklore Society Website
- r.a.r.e., formerly Cruickston Charitable Research Reserve
About
More than 900 acres of land set aside for passive leisure, environmental restoration and preservation, with education programs and scientific research.
Contact
www.raresites.org
r.a.r.e.,formerlyCruickston Charitable Research Reserve,
1679 Blair Road, Cambridge, Ontario, N3H 4R8, 519-650-9336
- Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada
Contact
Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, Historical Section,
c/o Sergeant Karen Dal Pio, C. D., 55 Southwood Drive, Cambridge, N1S 3S3
About
Provides educational, agricultural, and recreational programs to children and families in the community, on an historical farm established in 1833.
Contact
Steckle Heritage Homestead Website
jsteckle@web.net
J. Steckle Heritage Homestead, 811 Bleams Rd, Kitchener, N2E 3X4
Contact: Katherine 519-748-4690
- United Empire Loyalists
About
To preserve the history and traditions of the Loyalists, to collect artifacts, and to publish historical and genealogical publications.
The Association meets the third Sunday afternoon, March to November, up and down the Grand River watershed. Meetings start with refreshments (as some people travel great distances) at 2:00 followed by a meeting at 2:30. After the meeting, a nearby restaurant is chosen for supper and a social time together.
Contact
United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada, Grand River Branch Website
- University of Waterloo Special Collections & Archives
Special Collections & Archives,
Dana Porter Library,
University of Waterloo,
200 University Avenue West,
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1
- Upper Doon Preservation Society
About
Protects Upper Doon's rural village atmosphere.
Contact
jhaalboom@aol.com
Society for the Preservation of Upper Doon, "SPUD"
c/o Jean Haalboom, 1165 Doon Village Road, Kitchener, N2P 1A7
Contact: Dave and Marie Jones, 519-748-1238
- Victorian Classroom
About
The Suddaby School classroom provides an opportunity to experience a school day as it was over 100 years ago.
Contact
brant.smith@sympatico.ca
For more information about the Victorian Classroom:
The Victorian Classroom Society, c/o Margaret Dickson, 708-250 Mary Street, Waterloo. N2J 1S7
- Victoria Park Historical Committee
About
Displays Berlin/Kitchener history with the focus on Victoria Park, the Gallery is open 1-5 weekends and holidays from May to October.
Contact
Victoria Park Historical Committee,
c/o rych mills, 80 Schneider Ave., Kitchener, N2G 4G7, 519-742-4990
- City of Waterloo Heritage Resources
About
Heritage Resources of Waterloo's Recreation and Leisure Studies Services preserves and protects the City's Collection from the former Seagram Museum, and artifacts and archival material from the Martin farmstead at RIM Park and other material related to the history of Waterloo.
Activities include antique appraisal clinics, artifact identification, summer children's programming, and an annual exhibition at the CC&G Gallery.
Contact
City of Waterloo Heritage Resources
kvandenbrink@city.waterloo.on.ca
About
Preservation and dissemination of Waterloo Region's unique heritage; publishes an annual volume and holds public meetings, and erects plaques.
Contact
Waterloo Historical Society Website
Karen.ball-pyatt@kpl.org
WHS, c/o Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener, N2H 2H1
About
Waterloo MHC works with property owners and advises Council on property designations.
Contact
Waterloo Municipal Heritage Committee, c/o 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo, N2J 4A8
- Waterloo Public Library, Ellis Little Room
About
The Ellis Little Local History Room collects and preserves the history of the City of Waterloo.
Contact
Waterloo Public Library, Ellis Little Room Website
Waterloo Public Library, Ellis Little Room
35 Albert St, Waterloo, N2L 5E2, 519-886-1310, x126
About
Museum/Public Gallery, Curator, Conservation/Restoration
A living history museum with historic buildings, furnishings, gardens and demonstrations; complimentary guidebooks.
Contact
Waterloo Region Museum Website
10 Huron Rd at Homer Watson Blvd, Kitchener, ON N2P 2R7, 519-748-1914
About
Provides funds for preservation, restoration, and conservation projects; for the publication of books, manuscripts, and maps of local heritage significance.
Contact
Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation Website
Foundation Secretary
WRHF, Regional Administrative Building, 2nd Floor, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, N2G 4J3, 519-575-4732.
- Waterloo Regional Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
About
Preserves and distributes the Region's genealogy and family histories.
Contact
https://waterloo.ogs.on.ca
waterloo@ogs.on.ca
1-855-MYROOTS (1-855-697-6687) or locally (Toronto) at 416-489-0734 ext. 332
2100 Steeles Avenue West, Unit #202
Concord, ON
L4K 2V1
Contact
Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Website
Contact
Archives and Special Collections
Contact
William Lyon Mackenzie King Digital Image Collection Website
See also: Woodside National Historic Site Website
About
The Woodside National Historic Site is a museum that offers educational programs, group tours, and special events.
Contact
www.pc.gc.ca/woodside
528 Wellington Street North, Kitchener,Ont., N2H 5L5, 519-571-5684