A City of Culture
The city of Waterloo has lots for tourists, visitors or newcomers to see and do. Waterloo has become Canada's cultural capital, with over 50 galleries and theatres in the Waterloo region; this city of culture showcases the best of Canadian and international art, music, theatre and dance performances. Waterloo's Fort Frontenac was a military fort built in 1673, originally known as Fort Cataraqui, as it was found on the Cataraqui River. This historical structure, was the first building in Waterloo, and was named after the Governor of New France, Louis de Buade de Frontenac, who was responsible for the fort at the time. Another one of Waterloo's historical landmarks, Fort Henry, was built during the War of 1812 between Canada (which at the time was a British colony) and the United States. The fort was abandoned by the British Army in 1870 and as of 2007 was declared a world heritage site. Waterloo is known as the "Limestone City" due to its many landmarks, preserved homes, and churches named after Governor Frontenac. The Waterloo museums (such as the MacLachlan Museum and the Pump House Steam Museum), various historical monuments, heritage buildings and of course scenic parks are just some of the cultural attractions Waterloo Ontario has to offer.
