Have you ever snowshoed through Shade's Mills Conservation Area or rowed down the Grand River? Enjoyed the fish tank while eating at George’s Chinese Food? Shared a drink with friends at The Matador or Robin’s Nest? Have you attended an event or felt a sense of community at the French, Portuguese or Newfoundland Club or the Cambridge Muslim Society of Cambridge? Maybe you met with old friends at a local legion or skated the night away at Dixon Arena or The Forum? Do you remember whispers of ghosts at Galt Collegiate Institute or the old Fiddler's Green Irish Pub?
What makes these places across Cambridge, Ontario special? Is it the memories made there? The people you shared it with? The feeling of belonging, adventure, or comfort it gave you?
These places, and so many others, have shaped the stories of Cambridge. They are woven into the fabric of the city’s past and present, carrying with them nostalgia, connection, and meaning.
McDougall Cottage - The Power of Nostalgia Exhibit
In collaboration with the residents and visitors of Cambridge, both past and present, McDougall Cottage is developing a new exhibit for 2026, tentatively titled “The Power of Nostalgia”, that will highlight Cambridge’s most cherished and nostalgic places, and the fond memories associated with them.
But we need your help
What are your cherished places in Cambridge? What spaces fill you with nostalgia? Share your memories and help us celebrate the places that have shaped our community.
This exhibit aims to honor those moments and create a sense of place and belonging for residents in 2025 and beyond.
We invite you to complete the below survey from Feb 28 - March 28, 2025 to share your memories, insights, and stories are key to bringing this exhibit to life. Together, we’ll highlight the places that have special meaning to the people of Cambridge and evoke a sense of belonging for generations to come.
You can download a printed version of this survey using the link provided, or pick-up a copy at McDougall Cottage Historic Site, 89 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge, ON, N1S 2L7 or by emailing mcdougall@regionofwaterloo.ca. Please submit your completed survey to this address no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 28.
Complete the survey for a chance to win a $100 gift card for a local business!
Once you complete the survey, you'll have the option to leave your name and email for a chance to win. The prizes include:
View The Power of Nostalgia Community Survey Draw Rules and Regulations here.
