Stratford is a small treasure--a lively, gracious city with heritage homes, beautiful parks, fine restaurants and a Shakespearean festival that draws over half a million people to the community annually. In this book you will discover the story of Stratford's origins and growth and see the city's past and present in more than 100 contemporary and archival photographs. Ranging from the pre-contact period, when the area was settled by Iroquoian First Nations, to the nineteenth century with its legacy of splendid architecture, this is the story of a beautiful, bustling community. The Stratford Festival is illustrated with many images drawn from the festival archives, and an illustrated walking tour highlights many of the city's architectural and heritage treasures. Stratford: Its History and Its Festival is a richly illustrated showcase of this picturesque Ontario town.