Lecture: Heart & Soil
The Revolutionary Good of Gardens

Time and Date: 7:30 pm, Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Des Kennedy
Tickets: $5 per Historical Society Member; $6 non-members (plus GST). Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone with a credit card by calling 250-334-0686 extension 5.

Join author Des Kennedy as he introduces his new book Heart & Soil: The Revolutionary Good of Gardens by presenting animated readings from the text.

Over the last forty years, Kennedy has become a renowned writer, environmental activist and, of course, gardener. He has tackled every challenge nature has thrown his way with an unmistakable sense of humour, and emerged with tales that reflect his insight into how the human spirit is intertwined with the natural world.

Heart & Soil is full of stories that will inspire, enlighten and motivate gardeners and anyone who cares about the earth, reminding readers that gardening is a revolutionary act of maintaining harmony with nature. In this collection, Kennedy muses on garden makeovers, hand-to-vine ivy battles, the benefits of a workaday wheelbarrow and other short essays that are sure to fertilize any gardener's imagination.

Continue Reading

Exhibit: Heritage Fair Projects
April 17th to May 17th

Several projects from School District 71's Heritage Fair 2014 will be on display in the Dogwood Gallery here at the museum.

The fair was a big success again this year and featured the efforts of hard working students inspired to explore Canadian heritage. It is a pleasure to offer students the opportunity to share their ideas with a larger audience so consider dropping in to have a look.

Photo of the Month

CDM #977.14.9
Interior of early Courtenay P.O., 1921

You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.

Gift Shop News

Fabulous New T-Shirts Arrive
We now carry t-shirts with four unique and beautiful screen print designs of marine animals: octopus, ammonite, humpback whale and turtle. These designs are different from anything you'll find in other local shops. The shirts, made with excellent quality soft cotton, are available in blue, green, grey or black. Price per t-shirt is $26.00 plus tax.

Maps
Over the last few months we've had many visitors asking about where they can buy a map of Vancouver Island. They asked; we listened. Our shop now has several maps in stock including an historical map of Vancouver Island from 1913, the "shipwreck map" of Vancouver Island and the Northwest Coast, and colourful satellite image maps. Prices start as low as $16.00.

Heritage In the News

Pacific North West Labour History Conference
The Cumberland Museum is co-hosting the 2014 Pacific North West Labour History Conference on the 29th anniversary of Miner's Memorial Weekend. Click here for more information

Church of Saint Mary Is On the Move
The Church of Saint Mary in Merville was built in 1915 at Grantham, within the Grantham Anglican Mission. The church was moved from Grantham to the Merville Soldier's Settlement in 1921. In mid-April, the Merville Hall Association will move the church just up the highway to a new home on the Merville Hall property where it will be preserved and used for smaller functions. Owners Alison and Brad Orr donated the buildings to the Association. Click here for more background

Your Membership Makes A Difference

Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 53rd 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

It's All There in Black and White

It's an anniversary year for the Mennonite Brethren Church in Black Creek. This April 14, 1964 edition of the Comox District Free Press details the building's fine (and unusual) features.

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

Seedling

Christine Dickinson Coral Dunn Dove and Mike Hendren Peggy Hildebrandt Ted Lovegrove Ruth Masters

D. Mobley Jim Peacock April Shopland Jean & Ian Sibbald Roberts & Adela Smith

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: