Latest News
Spring Fling and Easter Things
We hope you can join us for the Courtenay and District Museum's annual Spring Fling event on Saturday, March 19, 11:00-2:00-- three hours packed with family fun. Meet lambs, kids (baby goats), pigs, ducks, geese, bunnies and chickens--all cared for and watched over by the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club. The Hot Chocolates Easter rabbit will visit between 12:00 and 1:00 and will be handing out delicious Easter chocolate. The Elasmosaur mascot will appear for fun photo opportunities. To wrap it all up, popular artist, Gillian Legendre, from Detailed Face Painting will create wonderful face painting designs for a small fee. Don't forget to bring [...]
Royal BC Museum Exhibit: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015
On now until April 4, 2016 A visitor favourite every year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has returned to the RBCM in Victoria with a brand new selection of 100 of the most stunning images from around the world. Click Here for Details
It’s All There in Black and White: One Hundred Year Old Adventure
An account of a one-hundred-year-old adventure as some young ladies from Cumberland hit the road in this January 15th, 1916 article from The Islander. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Gift Shop News: January 2016
Huge thanks to everyone who visited the Museum Gift Shop in 2015. Your support made it the best year yet! Watch for some fabulous new lines of gift items for 2016. Just in from "Little Blue House" by Hatley are the fun children's dinosaur backpacks ($34) and metal lunch kits ($15) pictured above. Both are good quality, durable and perfect for kids who love dinosaurs. Reminder: 50% off sale on now for select items - aprons, Kanata blankets, jute wine bags and slate message boards.
Museum Starts Countdown to 150th Anniversary of Confederation
In 2017, Canada will mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation. The Courtenay and District Museum will host two changing exhibits in 2016 and 2017 to lead up to and mark the celebrations. We are working with other museums and delving into the archives to bring you exciting exhibits and events. Click here for more details
It’s All There in Black and White: Give Something Electrical
Today you'd be more likely to hear "Give something digital". But as this Christmas advertisement from the December 16, 1922 Cumberland Islander shows, electric gifts were all the rage. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Seasonal Recipes
We searched the archives cook book collection to provide you with a couple of recipes for the holidays. Both are from a book of "Personal Recipes" likely produced in the late 1950s as a fund raiser by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion Branch 17, Courtenay. For those who really like to prepare in advance... Green Tomato Mincemeat from Mrs. L.M. Muir of Merville. And for those cooks who like to always have something at the ready... Ice Box Cookies from Mrs. C.C. Holmes. Enjoy!
Courtenay’s Centennial: Christmas 1914
Throughout 2015 the museum newsletter has provided glimpses into the back story on the City's Incorporation, history and development. This final installment features a holiday theme snippet from the December 25, 1914 Courtenay Review: Courtenay’s Opera House is visible in the background of this image. It was near the corner of 5th Street and Cliffe Avenue.R. Merle Halliday (1875-1944) and his wife Jessie (1887/1888? – 1936) are in the horse drawn cutter. The horse (Tammy) and cutter were owned by Reverend Menzies. Date: winter of 1915-1916.CDM 980.39.2 "The annual Christmas tree and concert of the Presbyterian Sunday School is being held in [...]
Holiday Hours
The museum will be open regular winter hours, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm except for the following holiday closures: December 24th closed at 1:00 pm Closed December 25th and 26th December 31st closed at 1:00 pm Closed January 1st
Christmas Gift Suggestions
Since it's getting close to the Christmas countdown, here are a few gift suggestions for those "hard to buy for" people on your list: 1. Silver Plated Servers 2. Marine-themed Lanterns and Plant Holders 3. Elasmosaur Coffee (ground or beans) from the Royston Roasting Company and Elasmo Chocolate Bars from Hot Chocolates 4. Velvet Burnt Out Scarves 5. Vancouver Island Maps 6. Janet Baskets 7. Silver Plated Bracelets 8. Dinosaur, Bear or Wolf Hats 9. Rustic Beach Hut Bird Houses made in Royston 10. Rain Goose Linen Tea Towels and Pot Holders designed and made [...]
Gift Shop: Further Price Reductions
Aprons, jute bags and Kanata Blankets: 50% off ticket price until December 24th.
12 Days of Christmas Sale Extended
For Museum Members Only Due to its popularity, the Museum Members Only 25% Off Christmas Sale has been extended for another 12 days. The 25% discount will be valid until December 24th! Please note that it does not apply to consignment or already reduced items.
Watershed Moments Update
Have you picked up your copy of Watershed Moments yet? They are selling like hotcakes at our gift shop! People are quite taken with the clarity of the photographs in this coffee table book. And with more than 190 pages to look through, there are plenty of photos! Drop by and have a look through a sample copy at our front desk. We think you’ll be impressed. Purchasing a copy of Watershed Moments is a great way to support the museum and get a fun overview of Comox Valley history. Click here for more details