Need a Speaker?
The Region of Waterloo Museums have a variety of presenters who can speak to your community group.
Presenters and Topics
Carolyn Blackstock, Teacher/Interpreter
Carolyn Blackstock works at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum as a Historic Teacher Interpreter (Homes and Businesses Specialist) in the 1914 era historic village. She has worked as an educator in Ontario museums and living history sites for over thirty years. While working in historic homes she developed an interest in culinary history and eventually learned to prepare meals using wood fired cook stoves, open hearths and bake ovens. She’s been researching and writing about food history ever since and loves everything about Christmas. Give us a call at 519-748-1914 or e-mail us at jperham@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
Knitting for Victory: Handwork in 1914 |
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A Merry Look at Yuletide Fare |
![]() Join us for a fun seasonal exploration of the food and drink mentioned in Christmas stories and songs. Journey through the centuries of Christmas celebrations in this edible sing-a-long and appetizing story telling. We’ll even teach you how to make an easy no bake treat to enjoy through the holiday season. |
It’s Beginning to Smell A Lot Like Christmas |
![]() Discover wonderful plants and foods used to decorate the parlors and dinner tables of Waterloo County homes for Christmas 1914. |
Cooking for Christmas 1856 to 1914 |
![]() Peek inside the kitchens and ovens of Waterloo County to discover the festive foods served in local homes for Christmas between 1856 and 1914. |
Bob Wildfong, Horticultural Specialist
Bob Wildfong is the Horticultural Teacher/Interpreter at the Doon Heritage Village, where he has tended the historic gardens and demonstrated local traditions of food, flowers, and herbs for 33 years. He is also a well-known seed collector, helping museums across Canada to preserve heritage garden plants through Seeds of Diversity Canada. Give us a call at 519-748-1914 or e-mail us at jperham@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
Garden History and Traditions in 1900-1914 |
Audience: gardeners, local history, food. |
Home Gardens in Waterloo 1895 |
Audience: local history, gardeners. Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Waterloo Horticultural Society, learn how some of the leading figures in Waterloo’s history encouraged citizens to beautify their city. |
Old Order Mennonite Gardens |
Audience: general, including high school. To more fully appreciate the heritage of our Old Order Mennonite neighbours, we offer this glimpse into local traditions of their food, flowers, and herbs. |
Ontario Garden and Landscape History in 1890-1910 |
Audience: gardeners, local history. You can learn a lot about a people by looking at the gardens and landscapes they create. A social history of turn-of-the-century Ontario through photos and records of gardens, farms, and parks of the time. |
Cold Frames Past and Present |
Audience: gardeners. Three-season gardening on a budget has always been in style. Learn how gardeners extended their growing season a hundred years ago, and how you can copy (and maybe improve) their techniques at home. |
Pollinator Friendly Gardening |
Audience: gardeners. Learn how your friendly local pollinators help your plants to grow, and how you can help them in return. |
Bee Pollinator Friendly |
![]() 15-45 minutes as requested. Audience: general, adult, high school, middle school. Science, nature, food, and stories combine to reveal a secret world of helpful insects that we depend upon, but often overlook. Find out who they are, what they do, and how to keep them healthy. |
Historic Tea Time |
Audience: general, history, food. You will never think of the humble tea bag the same way again, after learning about the ancient history and traditions of this most auspicious of beverages. For people of every nation throughout history a thousand flavours of tea – green, black, and herbal – have been a daily ritual. |
Stacy McLennan, Collections Curator and Registrar
Stacy McLennan is the Collections Curator & Registrar for the Region of Waterloo Museums, a position she has held for the past 13 years. Prior to employment with the Region, Stacy worked with collections at various heritage institutions across the country. As part of her position, Stacy researches the history and use of the various artifacts in the collection as well as conducting research for in-house exhibits. Give us a call at 519-748-1914 or e-mail us at jperham@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
She Brews Good Ale – A History of Women in the Brewing Industry |
General adult audience From ancient times to today, women have played a vital role in the brewing industry. Learn more about brewsters and why we have women to thank for beer! |
History on Tap: Brewing in Waterloo Region |
General adult audience Huether, Carling, Blue Top, and Brick are just a few of the breweries that have operated in Waterloo Region. Find out more about the history of these breweries and beer itself. |
Trailblazing: Women in Canada since 1867 |
General adult audience Canadian women have a unique and interesting history within our country. Learn more about trailblazers in specific fields. Hear stories of strength and perseverance. Discover a new role model. |
Artifact Trivia |
General adult audience |
Kevin Thomas, Supervisor of Historic Sites, Doon Heritage Village
Kevin has worked in the public programming end of museums for 29 years. During this time, he has helped with the hiring, training, and supervising of staff and developed training material; he has also created various museum and village activities. In addition to this, he has produced various presentations that he delivers to a wide variety of community groups. Give us a call at 519-748-1914 or e-mail us at jperham@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
Unmentionables |
General adult audience This presentation shows what devices women would wear, in order to achieve the various desired shapes/looks that were popular between the 1850s and now. These devices include crinolines, bustles, corsets, Spanx, and bullet bras. It’s amazing what women endured for fashion. |
Life in 1914 |
General adult audience Life in 1914 Canada was changing at an astounding rate. This presentation explores the various attitudes, technologies, past times, events, and issues prominent in the year 1914 – the year depicted at Doon Heritage Village. It was a time that saw the introduction of electric lights, indoor plumbing, cars, and telephones, but it was also a time of kerosene lamps, outhouses, blacksmiths, and restricted voting. In many ways, life in 1914 was very much like our own today – ever-changing. |
City on Edge |
General adult audience |
Outhouse, B.O., and Bad Breath |
General adult audience |
Schneider Haus Digging into History Series
Schneider Haus National Historic Site is pleased to offer presenters who can speak to your group. Want to book? Give us a call at 519-742-7752.
More Than Just Schmecks Appeal |
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Digging into History |
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Past Times |
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