Latest News
May 2018 Gift Shop News
The gift shop is now selling local free range honey. The hives of very lucky bees spend their summers taking pollen from fireweed on Mount Washington. The cost for a good size jar is $12.95. Very tasty for your own use or a nice, sweet touch as a gift for visitors.
This Space for Rent
Did you know that the museum has two spaces available to rent for public gatherings? The spacious first floor Rotary Gallery has seen many a lecture, presentation and party. There is also a space on the second floor known as the Dogwood Gallery. This area can accommodate approximately 25 people in theatre style seating or comfortably seat 10 around the board room table. Wifi is available. Rental of the Dogwood or Rotary Gallery is on a first come/first served basis. For more information on rental fees and requirements please give us a call at 250-334-0686 ext 5.
Welcome Back Vaux’s Swifts!
Swifts on Oak-Beeville Texas 2013. Photo by: Jason Collins The Vaux’s Swifts have returned to the Courtenay Muesum’s brick chimney! As of Sunday evening, April 29, local birder and naturalist, Krista Kaptein, spotted two hundred and seventy birds entering the chimney and they’ve visited successive nights with arrival times between 7:30 and 8:30 and in varying numbers. Last year, the swifts made an unexpected visit in mid-May. Here’s CHEK’s May 13, 2017 take the on the event with help from Fox and Bee Studios . The swift’s arrival became a must-see for island birders and some came from as far away as [...]
Lecture: Logging the Valley, A Century of Stories
CDM 2008.75.25A-frame crew at Comox Lake, 1931. Walter Montgomery photo. Time and Date: 7 pm, Thursday, May 24, 2018 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Richard Mackie Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets strongly recommended as lecture series frequently sells out. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5. Popular historian and author Richard Mackie returns to the museum lecture series with a load of logging anecdotes to share. Continue Reading
It’s All There in Black and White: The Maypole Origins
Another May long weekend fast approaches. The Comox District Free Press' Lee McKenzie took a historical look back at the origins of the maypole dance in this article from May 20, 1988. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
May 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. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Photo credit: Bedroom suite in the Courtenay Hotel, 1941. Charles Sillence photograph. Photo: CDM Sillence Collection. Page 137. Photo caption: "Before World War I, [William] Lewis added a third storey, and there was no shortage of visitors when the E & N Railway arrived in Courtenay in 1914…Major renovations and additions in 1916 and 1938 left the building with a stucco finish and increased protection against flooding." Page 68.
Periodical Wisdom
Women's magazines and periodicals from the past offer some great advice on things like how to economize, care for your baby's teeth or even the proper way to make social introductions. We've scoured the archives for some examples to share with you. As always, please remember to take the information with "a grain of salt" and use your common sense before implementing. This month's write-up is an article is from The Ladies' Review of May 1908 and offers "Some Homely Cleansing Agents." Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
It’s All There in Black and White: Vanier Opening Day
Can you believe it's been 50 years since G.P. Vanier Senior Secondary School officially opened? This article from the April 10, 1968 Comox District Free Press contains interesting tidbits about the school and its' namesake. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
April 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. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Photo credit: Courtenay's original city centre, ca. 1905. Walter Gage photograph. Photo: CDM 972.270.2. Page 62-63. Photo caption: ""Lewistown," as some called it, was just across from the head of the slough, at the junction of Dyke Road and Upper Prairie Road. It became a thriving commercial centre...Opposite the hotel was McKean & Biscoe's dry goods and grocery store. The Masonic Lodge met on the upper floor of this building [...]
April 2018 Gift Shop News
New season, new stock! The gift shop now carries Backroad Mapbooks. You can purchase the 8th edition of Vancouver Island - Victoria and Gulf Islands - Adventure maps and guide book for $25.95. This includes great information on parks, recreation sites, trails, fishing, hunting, paddling and more. Or what about one of the Backroad Mapbooks for Vancouver Island Fishing 3rd edition? This includes lakes and rivers, depth charts, maps, directions, species, tips and techniques and stock information. The cost is $27.95. To top it off, if you are looking for adventure topographic maps we have fabulous tear resistant, waterproof Vancouver Island South or North [...]
Lecture: A Perfect Eden
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Michael Layland 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. In 1842, when explorer James Douglas encountered the rugged natural paradise that would become Vancouver Island, he described it as “a perfect Eden." This talk, based on Layland’s book of the same name, will touch on the early recorded histories and personal accounts left by Chinese seafarers, Spanish and British naval officers, traders seeking sea otter [...]
Royal British Columbia Museum: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Royal British Columbia Museum until April 2, 2018 A visitor favourite every year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year returns with a brand new selection of 100 of the most stunning images from around the world. Read More
It’s All There in Black and White: New Crematorium in the Comox Valley
This article from the March 7, 1986 Comox District Free Press provides details on the North Island's first crematorium located right here in the Comox Valley. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.