The Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives is a collective made up of the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Schneider Haus National Historic Site, McDougall Cottage Historic Site, Doon Heritage Village, and the Region of Waterloo Archives.
Located in South Kitchener, the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is the largest community museum in Ontario. It includes two indoor galleries and the 60-acre living history experience, Doon Heritage Village. Here, visitors enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of rural life in Waterloo County in the year 1914.
Schneider Haus National Historic Site is a vibrant public space in downtown Kitchener for members of the community to gather. This Old Haus is telling new stories, as visitors engage in the connections between today’s diverse world and past occupants of the Haus.
McDougall Cottage Historic Site is a granite and limestone labourer's home located in Galt, downtown Cambridge, along the banks of the Grand River. Visitors of all ages enjoy the Cottage’s exhibits, gardens, walking tours, monthly teas, and workshops.
The Region of Waterloo Archives is the archives for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, the former County of Waterloo, the Township of Woolwich, and related local organizations and individuals. The Archives feature documents and objects in its collection which are used for museum exhibitions, and historical research.
We offer this acknowledgement as part of the Reconciliation process
The Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives are situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on either side of the Grand River.
This land and its waterways are the traditional territory of the Anishnaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Chonnonton peoples who have resided, gathered, traded on and stewarded it, since time immemorial. We honour and pay respect to the rich and ongoing Indigenous history in what is now Ontario and Canada.
Today, Waterloo Region is home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis who contribute to the thriving and diverse culture of the Region, both past and present.
Our Commitment
Words of acknowledgement require action, and the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives are committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
We commit to evaluating the ongoing process of settler colonialism and build mindfulness of our participation in it.
Our active work towards truth and reconciliation takes place across all of our Museums and Archives through research, learning (and unlearning), partnerships and community building with the guidance of Indigenous communities and leaders.
We commit to Indigenous rights, racial justice, and cultural equity through our collection and care of Indigenous objects, our exhibits and programs, and our relationships with Indigenous communities.