Category Archives: Museum News

COVID-19 Update – Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre Closed

This is a special announcement from the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre regarding COVID-19. In tandem with the City of Courtenay cultural and recreational facilities, the museum will close to the public until further notice.

Alternate Programming

For people at home, you might want to view the museum’s YouTube Channel to learn more about the museum, about fossil collections and explore with some of the scientists who have been involved with discoveries and exhibits at the Courtenay and District Museum.

We will be providing more information regarding opportunities to connect through virtual tours and education sessions as soon as possible.

Helpful Learning Links

The City of Courtenay’s Statement

Here is the March 16, 2020 notice from the City which you can also find on the city’s webpage.

City of Courtenay Closing Recreation Facilities Until Further Notice

March 16, 2020

As a result of the global Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the City of Courtenay is closing all City recreation and cultural facilities at 3 pm today.

  • All programs are cancelled (Spring Break Daycamps today will end at their regularly scheduled time of 4 pm.) All facility rentals are also cancelled until further notice. The City of Courtenay will contact those with upcoming rental agreements.
  • This closure includes:
    • Lewis Centre
    • Florence Filberg Centre
    • Native Sons Hall
    • The LINC Youth Centre
    • Sid Williams Theatre
    • Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre
    • Comox Valley Art Gallery
    • All City Outbuildings: Lewis Park (Tsolum and Salish), Bill Moore Park including Lawn Bowling Building, and Valley View Park
    • Sports field bookings – avoid crowds as per current provincial directions
    • All park washrooms and outdoor washroom at Sid Williams Theatre Plaza

“We are of course deeply concerned by the impact of COVID-19 and aware of the critical role our community will play in slowing the spread of this virus during this unprecedented crisis,” said Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells.

We ask each and every one of you to do your part. Stay home. Save lives. Help reduce the strain on our health care system, and protect our first responders, our seniors and other vulnerable populations. Flatten the curve, and only go out for essential trips.”

The City of Courtenay is taking these measures in support of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the BC Ministry of Health and their efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

More information will be provided as updates are available. Visit www.courtenay.ca or City of Courtenay social media channels Facebook and Twitter.

Lloyd Family Gift

The Courtenay and District Museum is pleased to recognise a gift from the Griffin and Joyce Lloyd estate – a 1934 wood block print by Walter Joseph Phillips titled Hnausa.

The Lloyd family has a special connection to Comox Valley history. Captain Edward Lloyd and wife Alexandra moved their family here in 1919 and their name became synonymous with tug boats and boat building along the Courtenay River.

Grandson Griffin Lloyd was born in Comox and lived here until completing high school. He went on to UBC and trained in geology and mine engineering. His work took him to Alberta where he married Joyce Patterson in 1954. Griff’s career lead him on a life of adventure, international travel and exploration.

We extend our thanks to the Griffin and Joyce Lloyd estate for sharing this wonderful piece with museum visitors. The print will be on display in the second floor gallery.

National Philanthropy Day

November 18, 2019

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. 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.

Your donations play an important role in making special projects and future museum operations possible. November 18th is National Philanthropy Day. The CDM extends appreciation to the Comox Valley Community Foundation and to donors who have, since 1996, supported the Courtenay and District Museum Endowment Fund. If you would like to make an online donation to this fund go to Canada Helps and click for Courtenay and District Historical Society, or contact us. Thank you for your support!

AGM Coming Up

The Annual General Meeting of the Courtenay and District Historical Society will take place at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 in the museum Rotary Gallery. New members welcome!

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.

Courtenay’s Puntledge Elasmosaur Receives the Most Votes!

Thank You to All of Our Supporters!

On November 23, 2018, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development closed its voting period for designation of a Provincial Fossil. Courtenay’s Puntledge elasmosaur, discovered by Mike Trask in 1988 was included as one of seven important fossils from around the province.

Today we have the results with the elasmosaur having received forty eight percent of the votes.

Thank you to the Ministry for seeking input through this process and to the British Columbia Palaeontological Alliance for its initiative.

Thank you and congratulations to all who voted and to the City of Courtenay staff for supporting the museum’s efforts throughout the campaign. Finally, a big thank you to all of our local business and tourism, economic development, arts, culture and heritage colleagues who helped create this legacy.