Latest News
It’s All There in Black and White: Gas Masks for Civilians
Some of the text in this article from the Comox District Free Press of November 19, 1942 might be a bit difficult to make out. To clarify the issue, here's what the Comox Argus had to say: "The ARP has received two tons of gas respirators for the use of the civilian population. The two tons represent 2790 masks. These masks will be sold to the public for $1.25 each and ARP instructors will be available to show the applicants how to wear them." Dig into the Free Press scan for a more detailed account.
November 2017 Gift Shop News
Special for Museum Members It's time for our Members Only 23 Days of Christmas Sale! From December 1st through to the 23rd members will receive a 25% discount on most items in our gift store. The recently expanded shop has some fabulous gift ideas with loads of new items suitable for both adults and children. Here's the "fine print" to the special offer: please note that the sale discount does not apply to items already marked down or on consignment. Your valid membership card must be shown at the time of purchase. Not sure what to buy a certain someone for a holiday treat? [...]
Just for Fun November 2017
You won't want to miss this little gem from November 1962 called "How to Use a Dial Telephone in Courtenay." The flyer was part of a donation to the museum from a family home in Merville that was built in 1938 and housed several generations of folks whose surnames will be familiar to many: Adamschek, Richter and Keller.
November 2017 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: Seeing the boys off. Valley residents turn up en masse to say farewell to the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 1916. Walter Gage photograph. CDM 972.55.20. Page 130-131. Photo caption: "The Battalion participated in a number of prominent campaigns in France and Flanders in the following years: the Somme and Ancre Heights in 1916; Arras, Ypres, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Passchendaele in 1917. It played a major role in deciding the battles at Amiens, Scarpe, Drocourt-Queant, [...]
Remembrance Day Closure
The museum will be closed on Saturday, November 11th in observance of Remembrance Day.
Just for Fun
Personified produce from the Comox Argus of October 2, 1924. (Try not to think about it the next time you're chopping carrots!)
Genealogy Seminar
The Campbell River Genealogy Society is hosting a seminar with Dave Obee on Saturday, November 18th titled "What's in Your Toolbox?" To find out more about topics, fees and availability click here. Deadline to register is November 10, 2017.
It’s All There in Black and White: Canada’s First Female Governor General
Pop quiz. What trailblazing woman became Canada's first female governor general? Two hints: 1) she served from 1984 to 1990, 2) she visited the Comox Valley 30 years ago this month. Not sure? Check out the coverage of her visit that appeared in the October 14th edition of the Comox District Free Press. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Lecture: Views of the Salish Sea
Time and Date: 7 pm, Thursday, November 9, 2017 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Howard Macdonald Stewart 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. Stewart presents an illustrated lecture based on his newly released book Views of the Salish Sea, One Hundred and Fifty Years of Change around the Strait of Georgia. Click for Details
October 2017 Gift Shop News
Hard to believe, but some folks have already begun their Christmas shopping! If you want to stay ahead of the curve, come see what's in store that is both unique and locally made. Joy Hills Island Designs creates rustic Vancouver Island-themed laser cut wood necklaces reasonably priced at $20.00 each. The very inventive local artist James Wood has fashioned a variety of pieces that include T-Rex teeth, glow in the dark ammonites, rocks with life-like star fish and shark teeth necklaces. Or check out the offerings from the Royston-based Giggling Gertie & Co. which produces things like lavender sachets for only $6.95 or bright [...]
October 2017 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: The Comox District Women's Institute making Red Cross Jam, 1941. Third from left is Mrs. Margaret McPhee, fourth from left is G.W. (Bill) Stubbs and third from right is Theed Pearse. Charles Sillence photograph. CDM Stubbs Collection. Page 183. Photo caption: "In 1941, the Red Cross, the Women's Institute (WI) and the Comox Valley Co-operative Producers joined forces with the people of the valley to send jam to Britain. They borrowed a jam kettle from the [...]
Lecture: The Nootka Sound Crisis
Location of the Spanish Fort Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum Speaker: Catherine Gilbert 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. There is still time to get tickets for Catherine Gilbert's repeat performance of her sold out lecture about this fascinating aspect of early Vancouver Island history. Click for Details
September 2017 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 Elementary School class brandishing sports equipment, ca.1906. Walter Gage photograph. CDM 983.55.1 Photo caption: Photo caption: "T.J. Barron, a graduate of McGill University, taught at the Courtenay school from 1905 to 1915. Previous teachers had mostly been young, with little experience, but Mr. Barron was a seasoned and accomplished educator who had high expectations for decorum, academic results and physical activity. Club swinging and wand drills were [...]