Need a Speaker?
The Region of Waterloo Museums has a variety of presenters who can speak to your community group.
Presenters and Topics
Bob Wildfong, Horticultural Specialist
- Garden History and Traditions in 1900-1914
- Home Gardens in Waterloo 1895
- Old Order Mennonite Gardens
- Ontario Garden and Landscape History in 1890-1910
- Cold Frames Past and Present
- Pollinator Friendly Gardening
- Bee Pollinator Friendly
- Historic Tea Time
Stacy McLennan - Supervisor, Archives & Collections
- She Brews Good Ale – A History of Women in the Brewing Industry
- History on Tap: Brewing in Waterloo Region
- Trailblazing: Women in Canada since 1867
- Artifact Trivia
Schneider Haus Digging into History Series
Bob Wildfong, Horticultural Specialist
Bob Wildfong is the Horticultural Museum Experience Specialist at Doon Heritage Village, where he has tended the historic gardens and demonstrated local traditions of food, flowers, and herbs for over 35 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 WaterlooRegionMuseum@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
Garden History and Traditions in 1900-1914
45 minutes.
Audience: gardeners, local history, and food.
A visual tour through household gardens of the turn of the last century, highlighting the favourite flowers, fruits, and vegetables of the time.
Home Gardens in Waterloo 1895
45 minutes.
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
45 minutes.
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
45 minutes.
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
30 minutes.
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
30-45 minutes as requested.
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
30 minutes.
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 - Supervisor, Archives & Collections
Stacy McLennan is the Supervisor of Archives & Collections for the Region of Waterloo Museums. 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 WaterlooRegionMuseum@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
She Brews Good Ale – A History of Women in the Brewing Industry
30 to 40 minutes;
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
30 to 40 minutes;
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
30 to 40 minutes;
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
30 to 40 minutes;
General adult audience
Put your thinking caps on! See if you know what these weird and wacky artifacts from our collection are and how they were used. Bragging rights only for the winner.
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? Email us at SchneiderHaus@regionofwaterloo.ca to book.
More Than Just Schmecks Appeal
In More Than Just Schmecks Appeal, we take a look at the fascinating 100-year life of local author Edna Staebler, how she got her start in creative nonfiction writing, and her successful series of Mennonite cookbooks that established her as a household name in the Region of Waterloo and beyond.
Digging into History
In Digging into History, we ‘uproot’ the stories and memories of historic gardens across the Region of Waterloo. We look at how historic gardens have functioned in heritage settings, such as Schneider Haus, as well as the histories behind some of our more contemporary plots within the Region, like the beautiful Rockway Gardens.
Past Times
In Past Times, we take a nostalgic look at the games and leisure activities that have been popular within the Region of Waterloo throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. We’ll visit the histories of favourite gathering places such as Victoria Park and Chicopee Ski Hill, local theatres and drive-ins, and even explore Schneider Haus’ own recreational past.