Latest News
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.
December 2021 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: Weekends on Forbidden Plateau were social and high-spirited. Top from left: Sheelagh Corfield, Jerry Macdonald and Jack Hough. Below: Roy Macdonald and Doreen Pope. Photo: 993.39.13. Page 207.
It’s All There in Black and White: Overwaitea Christmas Prices in 1991
Grocery costs continue to climb so it can be fun to exclaim and shake our heads about past prices. For your enjoyment, the Comox District Free Press of December 18, 1991 with advertised specials from the Overwaitea store at Driftwood Mall. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
November 2021 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: Lee Vanstone (left) and unidentified friend oyster picking in Comox, 1948. S.B.W. (Dusty) d'Esterre photograph. Photo: 998.219.223. Page 150. Photo caption: '... the Comox Argus reported on April 28, 1948, that "a letter was read from the Superintendent of Lands, Victoria, advising that the application of the British Columbia Packers Ltd. to lease certain foreshore in Comox Harbour for oyster culture purposes had been approved, and that it had been decided that a lease should [...]
Comox Valley Santa’s Workshop
The dedicated volunteers of Santa’s Workshop are back for Christmas 2021! The Courtenay Museum will once again be a drop-off location for new or "gently-used" toys, books and games to help brighten the Christmas season for local kids and families.
Members Only Christmas Sale
It’s almost time for our annual Members Only Christmas Sale. From December 1st through to the 24th members will receive a 25% discount on most items in our gift shop. This offer does not apply to items already marked down or on consignment. Your valid membership card must be show at the time of purchase. Not a member? No worries! Purchase a membership and you immediately qualify for the special holiday discount. The museum shop has just received a ton of fabulous new stock. Come and check us out so you can start making your shopping list. s creating a new hands-on copy [...]
Masters’ Memorial Book
Ruth Masters’ “Lest We Forget” handmade book dedicated to those of the Comox Valley who lost their lives in World Wars I and II has been off exhibit and out of the building for a much-needed spruce up and repair. Vancouver Island Art Conservation, a local business specializing in the conservation, repair, and housing of works of art on paper and archival documents, is nearing completion on restoration work to the original album as well as creating a new hands-on copy for the public.
It’s All There in Black and White: Duncan and Dingwall Veterans’ Subdivision at Sandwick
You'd never guess by looking at the area today, but a quirkily shaped “triangle” of land bordered by the Old Island Highway, Back Road and Ryan Road was once part of a WW II Veterans Land Act housing development. This area, intersected by Braidwood Road, was eventually divided into 11 parcels for purchase by returned veterans. Known locally as the Duncan and Dingwall Veterans' Subdivision at Sandwick, the plan was announced in December of 1945 with houses allotted one full year later as seen in this article from the December 12, 1946 Comox District Free Press. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and [...]