Winner of BC Historical Federation Historical Writing Competition
Celebrating books that make significant contributions to the historical literature of British Columbia
The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce the winners for the Annual Historical Writing Competition. The prizes were awarded on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort in Revelstoke, BC at the BCHF Annual Conference. Congratulations to all the winners.
The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia presented the BC Lieutenant Governor's Medal for historical writing and $2,500 to Ronald A. Greene for Carlo Gentile, Gold Rush Photographer, 1863-1866 by Ronald A. Greene (Greene Frogge Press).
2nd prize, $1500. Ferries & Fjords: The History of Indian Arm by Ralph Drew (self-published).
3rd prize, $500. Watershed Moments: A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District by Christine Dickinson, Deborah Griffiths, Judy Hagen & Catherine Siba (Harbour Publishing).
Learn more about the British Columbia Historical Federation at their website.
Canada Day Open House
Our annual Canada Day open house is fast approaching! Drop by the Courtenay and District Museum after the parade and help celebrate our country's birthday.
There will be free admission, balloons and door prize draws between 12 noon and 4 pm.
Special activities will include cupcake walks for all ages and a hands-on craft for kids.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the talented Alan Jossul.
Canada Day is a great chance to explore history with us at the museum.
Silhouette Exhibit
A private collector has graciously loaned us a sampling of her silhouette items for a short term display running the month of July.
Silhouettes are the coloured pictures that are painted on the back side of glass. You might also know them as reverse painting on glass. They were most common from the 1920s through the early 1950s and were often given out as business promotional gifts or sold at dime stores.
A variety of subjects (silhouettes are much more than just head profiles) and forms have been chosen for this display so please do make a point of dropping in to enjoy this exhibit.
Your Membership Makes A Difference
Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 55th year, supports heritage preservation in the Comox Valley through special events, lectures, education programmes, research and exhibitions. Your membership benefits these award winning programmes on a year round basis and we appreciate it!
Becoming a member provides you with discounts in the gift shop and on lectures and an opportunity to support one of the most active regional museums in British Columbia. Thank you for your support.
Click here to Join
Fossil Tours
Public tours are up and running!
Click here to find out more about how you can be part of this adventure.
Photo of the Month
CDM #990.24.249
Ploughing, c. 1905
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Summer Hours
Open Seven Days a Week
The Courtenay and District Museum is now on its summer operating schedule and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00 and Sundays from 12:00 to 4:00 until Labour Day. As always, members visit free.
Watershed Moments
Here now is an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District.
Photo credit: CDM 2009.11.1
Photo caption: Out for a ride, ca. 1890. On horseback left to right: Ernest Halliday, Lilly Kirby, David Jones, Elizabeth Grieve, Berkeley Grieve, Jane Finley, H. Kirby, M. Halliday, William Halliday, Caroline Kirby. Page 121.
"Living It Up...Even while people faced major world events, such as the Great War (1914-1918), life in the Comox Valley required living it up. Dance, theatre, music, the arts and, most important, humour, were and continue to be, mainstays of valley life." Page 121.
Psst! Don't forget to pick up your copy of the book at the museum gift shop, too.
Click Here for a Larger Version
It's All There in Black and White
June has arrived and thoughts turn to celebrations and weddings. But not for everyone...a jilted bride's lawsuit made front page news in this article from the Courtenay Free Press of November 24, 1927.
Read this newspaper article from our archives
With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Museum Sponsors
Dogwood
Comox Valley Community Foundation
Judy Hagen
The Robert Hunt Family
Bruce McPhee
Microsoft
Vancouver Island Exploration Group
Daryl and Evelyn Wright - Francis Jewellers Ltd.
Arbutus
The Bickle Family
Comox Valley Echo
Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club
Ed LaFleur
Marjorie Thorpe
John Wilson and Family
Fir
Elizabeth Braithwaite
Des Kennedy
Seedling
Christine Dickinson
Coral Dunn
Dove and Mike Hendren
Peggy Hildebrandt
Ted Lovegrove
Ruth Masters
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D. Mobley
Jim Peacock
April Shopland
Jean & Ian Sibbald
Roberts & Adela Smith
Comox Valley Family History Research Group
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If you're considering donating to a charity, please consider the Courtenay and District Museum. Your support goes towards education programmes, lectures and collection management. We provide a tax receipt to donors.
Please click here to donate
Museum Funding
The Courtenay and District Historical Society was registered as a nonprofit society in 1961 to preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. It has functioned as an independent society since that time. Funds are derived from the generous support of the City of Courtenay, British Columbia Arts Council, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia Gaming Branch, and from museum generated revenues and donations.
Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum: