Karl Kessler, local historian of Waterloo Region, poses in front of Registry Theatre on Monday, 30th September, 2024. Photo taken by Anish Bhattarai/Conestoga College.

Karl Kessler moved to Canada from New York City in late 1990s, and has been living in Kitchener ever since. He is a heritage researcher, writer and film-and darkroom photographer. He and his wife Jane Snyder coordinated the annual architecture and heritage event Doors Open Waterloo Region from 2003 to 2019. 

He has co-authored a book named 'Overtime: portraits of a vanishing Canada' which focuses on lives of men and women who practise vanishing trades, professions and cultural traditions in Waterloo Region.