Latest News
From Our Library
We hope you enjoy this page of food substitutions from Edith Adam's Wartime Cook Book published in 1943 by The Vancouver Sun. The preface states that the "recipes in this book were chosen because they call for only materials available on our markets." It might be fun to try some of the dishes just to see how they turn out! Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
Easter Offering
This lovely image is from a scrapbook donated to the archives over 45 years ago. Inscribed inside the front cover are the words "Minnie Berkeley" and "from Mamma, Xmas 1894." Minnie filled the pages with pressed flowers, calling cards and inspirational messages. Minnie Rose Berkeley was born in Sandwick April 28, 1880. She was the daughter of John and Agnes Berkeley. John was one of the first loggers in the district and provincial road superintendent. Minnie married George Swan in 1904. Together they had a family of six children: Madeline, Lloyd, Reggie, Billy, Murray and Norman. Minnie died in December of 1936. Her obituary [...]
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 [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: CRUD is for Clean
It was all hands on deck for the Comox Valley spring clean-up of 1970 as seen in this March 18 article from the Comox District Free Press. But, you may be asking, what the heck is SPEC? Why it is the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation of course! Founded in 1969, SPEC's website identifies itself as the "oldest environmental non-profit in Canada." The Comox Valley SPEC group and hundreds of volunteers made our local campaign the biggest in BC that year. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
March 2020 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: A dramatic family portrait by Walter Gage, ca. 1905. Photo: 990.24.13. Page vi. The family in this portrait have been identified by their descendants and the date revised since publication of Watershed Moments. They are the McKelvey family of Dove Creek. The patriarch, Stafford, died December 28, 1901 at the age of 42 from "acute general peritonitis." Left to right: William, Nancy, Stafford, Mary Hannah and Frederick Allan. Missing from the photo is the eldest son Adam Samuel [...]
March 2020 Gift Shop News
Spring is in the air and it's a great time to come and check out new items in store. There are some fabulous cotton totes with bright and cheerful bear, hummingbird, orca and octopus designs. The totes are lightweight but strong; good for using around town or great gifts to mail friends overseas. Easter is just around the corner and we have some lovely items if you're looking for gifts. How about a floral china mug in a matching gift box? Take a look at our huggable stuffed bunnies or (the much less huggable) concrete rabbits for your garden decor. We also carry plenty [...]
Royal BC Museum Exhibit: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
February 14 to March 29, 2020 Experience the wonders of nature through the lenses of award-winning photographers from around the world. Now in its 55th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition showcases a global selection of outstanding nature photography. Each photo is presented in a huge backlit display with a caption exploring the image’s compelling story. Travelling from London’s Natural History Museum, this exhibition takes viewers on a visual journey around the world, bringing the talent and vision of each photographer closer to all who visit. The images evoke a wide range of emotions but are always visually stunning and thought-provoking. A [...]
1970’s Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air... or maybe it’s the scent of Tabu Cologne? This ad for Comox’s Winsby Western Drugs in the Comox Shopping Centre appeared in the February 4, 1970 Comox District Free Press. The prices will make you weep!
February 2020 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: View from Comox Hill, 1890s. Photo: CDM Stubbs Collection. Page 39-40. Photo caption: "Though the land and water provided more than enough for food and shelter, the K’ómoks people had a long tradition of trade with other coastal groups. They also traded cedar root and eulachon oil for Saskatoon berries and dried grass and root fibres from the interior Salish people. This exchange continued with the settlers, who traded tobacco, guns, ammunition, blankets, fabric, buttons, beads, [...]
Heritage Week Happenings
The City of Courtenay Heritage Commission will have a display at the “Ideas Fair – Official Community Plan Update” held in the Conference Hall of the Florence Filberg Centre on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The Heritage Commission display will then move to the Activity Room of the Courtenay Library for Thursday, February 20th. The Filberg Lodge & Gift Shop will be open all Heritage Week for shopping, historical tours and membership sales. Check online for more details.
Heritage Week, February 17 to 23, 2020
Welcome sign, 1950s. CDM 2009.23.151. Bringing the Past into the Future It’s as if the Argus newspaper anticipated the 2020 Heritage Week theme 70 years ago when it sponsored a high school writing contest “What will Courtenay by like in 1970?” The topic seems a perfect fit with “Bringing the Past into the Future.” Essays from four winners were reprinted in the March and April 1950 Argus editions. The winners were Betty Ann Carstens, Chere Malcolm, Joan Tilbe (later Robertson) and Barbara Marriott (later Parker). All the student essays mentioned resource industries in their predictions. For example, logging would decrease but [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: The Comox Valley’s First Credit Cards
An important anniversary to note - it has been 50 years since the first credit card was used at Comox Valley businesses. Check out this article from the February 4, 1970 edition of the Comox District Free Press to see merchant reactions. The Chargex logo from the 1970's: With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
It’s All There in Black and White: Downtown Shopping 1948
Bit of a surprise to find late night shopping in 1947 but that's what was happening on 5th Street according to this ad from the January 30 Comox District Free Press. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.