Latest News
It’s All There in Black and White: A Visit by Premier J.D. MacLean
A brush with "celebrity" for Valleyites in September of 1927 when Premier J.D. MacLean officially opened the new consolidated schools. The article from the September 8th edition of the Courtenay Free Press goes on to list some interesting statistics about the growth of education in BC. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
School Programmes
Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! Join the Courtenay and District Museum with your group or class and explore our various educational programmes. Topics cover early settlement to volcanoes, to dinosaurs and more! Click here for more information on the different interactive educational experiences we offer all year long.
Merville – 100 Years and Counting Part 9
Merville’s importance as a soldier settlement precipitated the Prince of Wales’ visit to the Comox Valley on September 26, 1919. The Cumberland Islander of September 27 covered the event and you can read that story below. But what about those little details that didn’t make it into the article? For example, the royal car was part of a “parade” led by A.B. (Charlie) Ball down to the Agricultural Grounds. Jeff Hannay presented an ice cream cone to his Highness in the middle of the main street. And the royal route? It was E&N Station, down main street to the Agricultural Grounds, Dyke Road to [...]
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!
Merville – 100 Years and Counting – Saunders Supply Co. Bonus Photo
CDM 972.208.1 Artifact from the original Saunders Supply Co.
August 2019 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: These sheds in Lewis Park, 1930s, were used during agricultural fairs. Charles Sillence photograph. Photo: CDM Sillence Collection. Page 157. Photo: “People anticipated plays, musicals and fairs for months in advance and attended from all around the district. Fun was, and still is, a big word in the valley’s vocabulary.” Page 121.
Merville – 100 Years and Counting Part 8
Yet another fire was in the cards for Merville. The community had been devastated by the 1922 fire, but was hit again in 1930 with the loss of their general store. Read the article from the Comox District Free Press of July 22, 1930. Click here for a bonus photo
Periodical Wisdom: August 2019
Looking for some amusing "unplugged" activities to play while camping or hosting a summer picnic? Try these party suggestions from The Nor'-West Farmer of December 21, 1931. Helpful hints, recipes and practical "how-to" advice can all be found in periodical magazines from our archival collection.
It’s All There in Black and White: Car Bingo at Lewis Park
Now there was a innovative use for Lewis Park...car bingo! Loretta Favero (later Loretta Briggs) won a brand new Austin Healey sports convertible as seen in this August 6, 1958 edition of the Comox District Free Press. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
It’s All There in Black and White: Princess Margaret Visits Courtenay
Comox Valley Royal watchers were treated to a personal appearance in 1958. Princess Margaret visited Lewis Park, St. Joseph's Hospital and the RCAF airport in Comox. This article from the July 23, 1958 Comox District Free Press gives info on everything from what she ate for lunch to who she visited at the hospital! Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
July 2019 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: An impressive array of canned goods on display in the Safeway Store, 1932. Charles Sillence photograph. Photo: CDM Sillence Collection. Page 153.
Periodical Wisdom: July 2019
Our archives houses magazines and periodicals from the past that can often jog memories. Here’s one for all the folks who ever spent time down on the farm. The Nor’- West Farmer magazine (which billed itself as “The Pioneer Farm Journal of Western Canada”) of July 21, 1930 featured this informative ad about the 1 ½-ton Ford truck.