Latest News
Bells of Peace
On November 11, at the going down of the sun, communities across Canada will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with the ringing of 100 bells. When you hear the bells toll, take a moment to pause and remember all those who served and sacrificed. Bells of Peace was developed by The Royal Canadian Legion in partnership with the Government of Canada. To find out more about local activities click here.
Elasmosaur B-Day Party
You are invited to the museum to celebrate the Elasmosaur's 80,000,030th birthday on Saturday, November 17th from 11am to 2pm. There will be cake, crafts, door prizes, balloons, face painting, photo opportunities and games. Click Here for Details
Vote Elasmosaur Video!
Our friends at Fox&Bee Studio have teamed up with us to get the word out about our elasmosaur being in the running for British Columbia's official fossil. They've done an amazing job capturing our cuddly version of the elasmosaur in locations throughout the Comox Valley. Do you recognize them all? Here's the link to vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BC_Provincial_Fossil Voting closes on November 23rd, so don't miss your chance!
Periodical Wisdom: October 2018
We've scoured the archives for women's magazines and periodicals to share some advice from the good old days. This month's feature provides some unusual recipes to help combat the ever increasing cost of living. That peanut butter sausage recipe that just became your family's new favourite? You can thank The Christmas People's Home Journal of 1917. As always, we've sourced the info from our stash of women's magazines and periodicals in the archives. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
October 2018 Gift Shop News
We've got a new greeter at our door...an 8 foot tall T-Rex! Drop by to say "hello." It's autumn sale time in the shop with markdowns on some of our journals, canvas bags, gnomes, glow in the dark children's t-shirts (size 2), Joseph Salmon bowls and more. Sounds like an opportunity for early Christmas shopping at an amazing price!
It’s All There in Black and White: Comox Kelp Processing Plant
Did you know that Comox used to boast a kelp processing "plant"? Check out this article from the Comox District Free Press of October 3, 1968. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
October 2018 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: Comox Landing, ca. 1910, with the HMS Egeria and the HMS Algerine visible in the harbour. Walter Gage photograph. Photo: CDM 979.3.3. Pages 48-49. Photo caption: "Before, and after, construction of the Comox Wharf in 1874, Comox was the main transportation link to points north and south. Comox Landing, with its gentle slope sheltered by Goose Spit and expansive view of the Beaufort Range and Baynes Sound, made it a perfect gathering place." Page 53.
Elasmosaur Wants Your Vote!
Have you cast your vote for yet for the Provincial Fossil? The Comox Valley's own elasmosaur is in the running and needs your support. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has announced a final competition for a Provincial Fossil to be added to the official Provincial Symbols of British Columbia. The online voting process uses a web-based questionnaire tool, SurveyMonkey, which allows one vote per computer profile and includes a simple verification step to avoid development of computer scripts for automatic votes. Here's the link where you can see all seven candidates and make your choice. The voting period [...]
Periodical Wisdom: September 2018
We've scoured the archives for women's magazines and periodicals to share some advice from the good old days. So now that you've completed your back to school shopping you might want to arrange a children's tea party. This write-up from The Lady of December 8, 1938 gives some wonderful foodie tips for a Downton Abbey style bash perfect for the little ones. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
School Days
Did you know that the Courtenay Museum offers a range of education programmes for groups of children? Check out the possibilities.
Lecture: Mudflat Dreaming
Time and Date: 7 pm, Thursday, October 11, 2018 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Jean Walton Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5. Jean Walton's newly released Mudflat Dreaming tells the story of two communities on Vancouver's waterfront fringes in the 1970s - Bridgeview and Maplewood. Read More
Roman Catholic Church of the Canadian Martyrs Dedication
The original dedication gathering of the Roman Catholic Church of the Canadian Martyrs in Courtenay, BC on September 25, 1938. Seen in the crowd on the right hand side of the photo are Courtenay Mayor M.S. Stephens and Aldermen Theed Pearse and Perry Hanson. Photo from Stubbs Collection, Courtenay and District Museum.
It’s All There in Black and White: Old Church Theatre 80th Birthday
September marks the 80th birthday of the building known today as the Old Church Theatre on Harmston Avenue in Courtenay. It was originally the Roman Catholic Church of the Canadian Martyrs and its official dedication made front page news in the Comox District Free Press of September 29, 1938. Bonus! Click here for a photograph of the original dedication gathering September 25, 1938. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.