Various Articles

Ontario's Waterloo Region, located in the center of Canada, has a most interesting history & culture. This is due in large part to its first European settlers, Mennonites from Pennsylvania who came at the early part of the 19th Century. More recently, Waterloo's ethnic diversity has been due to its welcoming of immigrants from countries throughout the world. This influx can be traced to the area's flourishing economy, its varied employment opportunities, and the two distinguished universities it offers.

Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower is a monument which honours the first pioneers of the Waterloo Region. Those original Mennonite pioneers came to the region from Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1803 and settled on the banks of the Grand River where they found lush and productive farm land. The monument was constructed in 1923 on an acre of land just east of the Grand near the small town of Doon. The unique Swiss look of the tower spire reflects the Swiss Mennonite homeland of the original settlers.

At Doon Heritage Crossroads you can explore Waterloo County as it was in 1914. Come back to see what businesses, homes and farms were like and how people went about their daily lives.

Joseph Schneider Haus Museum and Gallery recreates life as it was in the area in the 1850s. This is the house that Joseph and Barbara Schneider built in 1816. They were among the early Mennonite pioneers who trekked to the new frontier from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the early 1800s.

Homer Watson was a noted local artist of the Waterloo Region. He was known as the "Man of Doon" since Doon was the site of his home and studio. Homer Watson House & Gallery preserves his studio and also host art classes and workshops and includes an exhibition of contemporary art.

Canada's 10th and longest serving Prime Minister was William Lyon Mackenzie King who was born in Berlin in 1874 (before its name was changed to Kitchener during WW1). His boyhood home at Woodside National Historic Site has been restored to the beauty of the early 1890's on 4.65 hectares of land.

Castle Kilbride was built in Baden in 1877 by James Livingston and named after his birthplace in Scotland. Seen from the road it dominates its surroundings with its clean Italianate design capped by a towering belvedere. Its attractive external appearance, however, is overshadowed by its amazing interior decor, which in its own right classifies it as artistry of international significance.