Latest News
Very Long in the Tooth
Our results are in from the BC Megafauna Project at SFU. A mammoth’s molar in the CDM’s collection which was discovered on the Brown’s River in 1928 was radiocarbon dated to (drum roll please) roughly 29,000 years ago. This molar is unique in being the most northerly tooth found on Vancouver Island so far. The tooth is on exhibit in our main floor gallery so drop in and check it out.
Heritage Week Display: Re-visiting Neighbourhoods
CDM #990.24.75 Dr. H.P. Millard family home, c. 1905 The Courtenay Heritage Advisory Commission’s photo and info panels highlighting neighbourhoods will be on exhibit in the museum’s Rotary Gallery from February 22 – 26 in commemoration of BC’s Heritage Week. Drop in to learn more about the historic Terminal, Old Orchard and 40 Houses neighbourhoods. The panels were created for 2013 Heritage Week and are being re-displayed this year as COVID-19 restrictions have hampered the Commission’s regular activities.
Heritage Week February 21 to 27
Theme: Altogether Inclusive A message from Heritage BC: “The theme in 2022 explores the many ways that heritage engagement requires creativity, as well as unique solutions and actions to encourage broad participation. Heritage can and must foster best practices in diversity and accessibility. By reducing the many different types of barriers that keep people from enjoying heritage and feeling safe, then lives will be enriched. When heritage responds to diversity and accessibility challenges, it becomes inclusive. This is possible for even the smallest of heritage organizations and is reason to celebrate.” What we do: We respect the alliance of natural and cultural history [...]
February 2022 Gift Shop News
The museum shop has a good variety of greeting cards in stock including those by four local artists: Sue Pyper, Andy Everson, Debbie Bowles and Daniel Lehman. Each artist’s cards are unique. Sue Pyper’s cards depict nature scenes such as birds, bears, and trees. Andy Everson’s ingenious cards are well known and feature neighbouring landscapes, whales, salmon, and eagles in amazing bright colours. Debbie Bowles from Winking Owl Design creates singular cards that are whimsical and popular. Daniel Lehman’s cards are all individually hand painted; design themes include ladybugs, bullrushes, and the ocean. The shop carries other popular brands like the sweet and [...]
Our Heart’s in the Right Place
George Law photo. July 1, 1958. CDM 2008.79.65. A flashback photo in honour of Valentine’s Day featuring Miss Comox Valley 1957 Jeanette Cottini on the Jaycee float. The Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) held the Miss Comox Valley Contest and the winner went on to represent the district in the Miss PNE beauty contest.
It’s All There in Black and White: The Passing of King George VI
Seventy years since the death of King George VI and the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. There’s often a bit of drama around the Royal Family and the King’s funeral was no exception as seen in this article from the Comox District Free Press of February 14, 1952. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
February 2022 Stepping into Wilderness
Here now is an image from the museum’s newest award-winning book Step into Wilderness – A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley. Photo credit: Three young men at the Goose Spit beacon, from left to right: unidentified, Gordon McLean and Jim Midwinter. S.B.W. (Dusty) d’Esterre photograph. Photo: CDM d’Esterre Collection. Page 120.
Hunt for Heritage – Comox Valley #huntforheritageCV
What is it? To celebrate BC Family Day and BC Heritage Week, Filberg Lodge and Park is inviting the Comox Valley to take part in an interactive and COVID-19 friendly event designed to get us all outside and exploring the Valley’s history. How it works The Hunt for Heritage will start with one clue (Clue #1) which will be emailed to registered participants, given out through social media and posted on the Filberg website. It will point participants to the first stop on the adventure. Subsequent clues will be in the form of laminated cards posted at each heritage stop. Each card [...]
December 2021 Gift Shop News
A recent addition to our shelves has been the brand Wrendale Designs. This line of stationery, home and giftware items, is proving to be extremely popular. To help you along with your Christmas shopping, here are “The Ten Days of Wrendale Gifts” for your consideration. Key chain Canvas tote bag Shopping list pad Compact mirror Birthday calendar Password book Water bottles large and small Bookmarks Lip balms Fold Bag
Museum’s Christmas Closure
The museum will be closed from 1 pm on Friday, December 24 through Monday, January 3, 2022. Open again Tuesday, January 4 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Christmas Craft: Christmas Card Caddy
This year’s craft flashback is from Coats & Clark’s Book No. 188 “Quick Tricks” (probably from the late 1960s). With some brightly coloured crochet yarn and a few recyclables, you can create a Christmas card caddy for display. Guide to Abbreviations sl st = slip stitch ch= chain sc= single crochet
Century of Courtenay Library
On December 8, 1921, the first library in Courtenay was opened on Fifth Street near Duncan Avenue. With Mrs. S.H. Hopkins as librarian, the collection included a limited selection of fiction, biographies, and travel books. The cost for an adult to join was $2 and for a child, $1. Patrons were allowed to take out 2 fiction and 2 non-fiction books at a time. In its early years, the Courtenay Library was often on the move. In and out of spaces at City Hall, a room in Dr. Millard’s house, the Courtenay Florist Shop and even the Credit Union building. Two locations in [...]
Holiday Recipe
Sugar cookies with a past? According to the cookbook, Favorite Recipes, this one can be traced back to Jane Piercy (nee Speedy, b. 1846 – d. 1939). The recipe book was created in honour of the 60th Anniversary of the Canadian Daughters League of Courtenay in 1984.