Latest News
Summer Fossil Tours
Discoveries Happen Here Have you ever wanted to make a prehistoric discovery? You have the chance with Courtenay and District Museum summer public fossil tours! Vancouver Island and surrounding area is rich in ancient marine fossils which give palaeontologists and history enthusiasts an excellent opportunity to study prehistoric life (not to mention go digging for fossils)! Book Your Tour Today
June 2018 Gift Shop News
Loads of new summer stock has hit the shelves! The shop is now carrying a line of t-shirts designed by West Coast Karma, a company based in Comox. Designs include the very popular "Vancouver Island" pattern which is available in adult and children sizes in multiple colours. Or how about the ladies tee of an octopus or jellyfish in a turquoise soft cotton? Kid's toy selection has been bumped up too with T-Rex snap band watches, dinosaur skeleton replicas and "hug-ems" in the shape of T-Rex, triceratops, orca whales and wolves. These are a lot of fun for all ages.
It’s All There in Black and White: Big Changes to Comox Mall in 1977
Big changes at the Comox Mall in 1977. The June 3rd edition of the Comox District Free Press reports its' conversion from a shopping centre into a closed mall. Hmmm... Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Capes Escape Vacation Rental
Capes Escape Capes Escape, the museum's vacation rental property, continues to do great business. The 1700 sq. ft., 1930s heritage home is part of the Courtenay and District Museum visitor services. The home, situated on seven acres of forested land on Cumberland Road, was donated to the museum by the late Katherine Capes. Located approximately 4 km from Highway 19, Capes Escape is only minutes from downtown Courtenay and Cumberland. If you've got company coming for a visit and are looking for a comfortable and convenient rental space, consider Capes Escape. Click here for more information
Canada Day Open House
The Courtenay and District Museum will celebrate Canada's 151st birthday with an open house event from 12 noon to 4 pm on Sunday, July 1st. There will be free admission, balloons, prize draws, live music, kid's crafts and a new exhibit to see! Canada Day is a great chance to explore history at the museum.
Lecture: Against the Current, The Remarkable Life of Agnes Deans Cameron
Cathy Converse presents “Against the Current: The Remarkable Life of Agnes Deans Cameron,” an illustrated lecture based on her newly released book, at 7pm on Thursday, June 14 in the Courtenay and District Museum. Agnes Deans Cameron was an extraordinary woman who set the educational establishment on edge. Born in Victoria to Scottish immigrants in 1863, she was ahead by a century and achieved a number of “firsts” in her life. She was one of the most well-known educators, writers, and lecturers in Canada and put western Canada on the map through her writing, cycling, and encouragement of Western immigration. Click for More Info
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