Latest News
Many Thanks!
Thank you to everyone who came to our "Spring Fling and Easter Things" event on March 28th. It was a huge success with over 650 visitors. Special thanks to the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club for bringing all their adorable and well-behaved animals, to the Hot Chocolates Easter bunny for sweet treats and to Gillian from Detailed Face Painting for creating some amazing works of art on delightful little faces. Proceeds from this day are shared between the museum and the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club. To the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club and staff and volunteers who arranged this special day—we say thank you!
A Keepsake for 2015
The Comox Valley Echo and the Courtenay Museum have teamed up to produce a Courtenay Centennial keepsake, a 50 page full colour magazine featuring museum and community images and historic stories. Local authors Ian J.M. Kennedy, Rick James, Judy Hagen and Christine Dickinson along with museum staffers Catherine Siba and Deb Griffiths have produced a keepsake magazine, Courtenay 100 Years of History 1915-2015 as a tribute to the Centennial Year. "We say thank you to the Echo who have given generously on this project and done a great job and to the many businesses who have advertised. The proceeds from Courtenay 100 Years of [...]
The Unstoppable Gift Shop
The gift shop has a new look courtesy of a gnarly, old apple tree. Come and check out this fun-for-spring centerpiece along with fresh items in stock including a beautiful variety of friendship glass balls and colourful fused glass lighthouse and sailboat wind chimes. Decorative sailboats, nautical photo frames and keepsake boxes make great summer gifts. Local artist, Stephanie Gould, just brought in a new collection of her colourful diffused glass jewelry. And, for the kids, new glow-in-the-dark dinosaur and fossil T-shirts take a gift's fun factor to the max. Don't miss the Cumberland Museum's new book, Cumberland Collieries Railway by Patrick O. Hind [...]
Courtenay’s Centennial: The Condensory Bridge
The April 16, 1914 edition of the Courtenay Review reveals the origin of the name of the Condensory Bridge. “Another Industry for Courtenay…Another industry is about to commence in Courtenay, which will be added to the “Made in Comox” list, viz, The Courtenay Milk Condensory, which will open its doors for business, about the 1st of May. As everybody knows, condensed or canned milk has a large demand in the new districts and among the logging and construction camps… They [the Company]...purchased an acre and a half of ground from Jos. McPhee along the river bank at the end of Mill Street, where they [...]
Fun Fossil Discoveries for Spring Break
Fossil Mould & Cast In these sessions we’ll look at fossils and talk about what they teach us about the past. These interactive classes will include a hands-on look at fossils, a tour through the exhibits and making moulds and casts of fossils to take home. Times: 10 am to 12 pm Days available: Tuesday March 31, Wednesday April 1, Thursday April 2, Tuesday April 7, Wednesday April 8, Thursday April 9, Friday April 10 Cost: $8.00 per youth (ages 6-10) Parents encouraged to participate. Reservations appreciated. Fossil Tours Fossil Tours will be offered in the afternoons on the above dates 1 to 4 [...]
Courtenay, One Hundred Years of History
Centennial Souvenir Booklet We are proud to announce the creation of a special Centennial souvenir booklet in honour of the City of Courtenay’s 100th anniversary. Museum volunteers and staff have worked to produce a nostalgic look back at this place we call home. Articles by guest authors Rick James, Judy Hagen and Ian J.M. Kennedy are also included. The project was made possible by the Publisher and Staff of the Comox Valley Echo. Through the generosity of the Comox Valley Echo, proceeds from the sale of the booklet will support long term programming and research efforts here at the museum. “Courtenay, One Hundred Years [...]
In Memoriam
The Courtenay and District Museum lost a valued volunteer with the recent passing of Marjorie Thorpe. Marjorie had been working with the palaeontology collection for over two decades. Her dedication was evidenced through the detailed organization she brought to the collection. Marjorie’s work also spanned beyond the museum as she worked with palaeontologists and scientists around the world in arranging loans of the museum’s collection and research information. She played a pivotal role in the advancement of awareness of BC’s fossil history by serving on the Board of the British Columbia Palaeontological Alliance. Marjorie’s family will be hosting a Celebration of Life starting at [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: $10 Prize
A fun little snippet from the Cumberland Islander newspaper of March 26, 1936. How hard would you dance for $10 prize money? With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
March Gift Shop News
More new stock has arrived! The toy department has some really fun new additions. Instead of paint by numbers, we have paintable dinosaur models that are great for kids of all ages. There are also Savage T-Rex Soakers, Earth Movers Dino Diggers and large buckets of dinosaurs. A new favourite is the Magic Grow Aquarium - talk about care-free fish! The toy consists of a small plastic aquarium with two fish and a plant that "grow" when you add water. Three members of the museum staff have these aquariums and we have had so much fun comparing the tanks. For adults, the shop now [...]
Courtenay’s Centennial: Sandwick
Throughout this year, the museum newsletter will be providing glimpses into the back story on the City's Incorporation, history and development. An item from The Review newspaper of March 6, 1913 under the "Sandwick" column follows with the writer justly proud of the Sandwick area. "Newcomers continue to join our growing community and if only the supply of lumber were equal to the demand the growth and development of the choicest portion of the valley would be even more marked." The Sandwick area was annexed to the City of Courtenay in 2002.
Spring Fling and Easter Things Event
We hope you can join us for our annual spring event on Saturday, March 28 from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is by donation with half of the proceeds going to the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club. There is a lot of family fun planned within the three hours. You can meet lambs, kids (baby goats), ducks, geese and chickens - all courtesy of the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club. We will also be visited by the Hot Chocolates Rabbit between 12 noon and 1 pm and he will be handing out delicious Easter chocolate. The Elasmosaur mascot will be making an appearance for fun [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Steamship Vacation
Time to plan your vacation getaway! This February 4, 1930 ad from the Courtenay Free Press offers return rates from Courtenay to British ports. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Heritage Week
February 16 - 22, 2015 Main Street, At the Heart of the Community "Main Street, King Street, Queen Street, Water Street, Broadway - whatever their name, Main Streets and traditional downtowns are at the heart of communities big and small across British Columbia. Centres of commerce, civic institutions, community commemoration and events, Main Streets embody the history and evolution of a community. Today many communities are leveraging the heritage of their downtowns as assets to stimulate tourism, attract new residents, provide affordable housing, and encourage investment by creating affordable space for smaller businesses and start-ups, as well as authentic retail experiences." Heritage BC The [...]