Latest News
September 2025 Gift Shop News
We’re excited to announce new handbags by local artist, Cheryl Webster, now available in the Museum Gift Shop. These one-of-a-kind pieces are crafted from a variety of cotton, linen, silk, felted wool, and beeswax (for the waxed cotton). The waxed cotton is water-resistant, using Canadian beeswax.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year on September 30, Canadians commemorate the painful and tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools across our country. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never came back home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
New Exhibit – BATS: Out of the Darkness
The Courtenay and District Museum is pleased to present the travelling exhibition BATS: Out of the Darkness from the Kelowna Museums Society.
Bob’s Office at Filberg Lodge
Just last month, the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park debuted a brand new addition to the Filberg Lodge, called Bob’s Office. The objects and photos in this historical room were curated alongside audio to transport visitors back to the time of hand logging in the Comox Valley during the 1920s and 30s.
July 2025 Heritage Sights
The Courtenay and District Museum occupies the 100-year-old former Courtenay Post Office building. The original section was built during 1925, and the structure was doubled in size with an expansion in 1954.
Lecture: The Coast Salish Woolly Dog (Encore)
Due to her sold-out lecture in May, Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa will return to give a repeat performance at the Courtenay and District Museum Rotary Gallery. If you missed the first lecture, this is your chance to attend.
Crafty Summer Fun!
The Courtenay Museum has two amazing programs that will keep your kids engaged, learning, and creating all week long. From prehistoric adventures to clay masterpieces, these are the perfect blend of education and fun.
BC Day Closure
The museum will be closed on Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4. Wishing everyone a safe and happy BC Day holiday.
New Video: Oyster River Gardens
In the early 1930s, brothers Guy and Darrell Smith began developing land in the Oyster River area as a show garden and seed farm. This story, briefly mentioned in the Courtenay and District Museum’s book Step Into Wilderness, deserved more attention.
July 2025 Gift Shop News
The Museum Gift Shop is happy to announce brand new colours of our popular elasmosaur t-shirts. We teamed up with our long-time collaborators at Hitec Screen Printing to locally print these fabulous shirts, available in heather green or heather navy in adult sizes ($35.99), and turquoise or olive green in youth sizes ($25.99).
BC Paleontological Symposium
The 15th BC Paleontological Symposium will take place this August 22 to 26 at the Florence Filberg Centre in downtown Courtenay. The Vancouver Island Paleontological Society, a charter member of The British Columbia Paleontological Alliance, is hosting this year with the support of the Courtenay and District Museum.
Gearing Up for Fossil Tours
Summer’s here! Don’t miss your chance to book your spot on a world famous fossil tour guided by our Natural History Curator, Pat Trask. Tours will run from now until the fall, with public tours for families and school programming available for classes and youth groups. These tour options are the perfect outing for all ages, newcomers and returning enthusiasts.
Vaux’s Swifts 2025 Highlights
Tune in to watch the highlight reel from the Vaux’s swifts return to the Courtenay Museum’s brick chimney. After this stop, they continued their migration from Central America to Northern BC and Alaska.