Latest News
Curious Kids Club
The Courtenay and District Museum is creating a Curious Kids Club on Saturdays for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Starting November 29th children will meet at the Museum from 10:00 am -12:00 noon (a perfect time for mom and dad to scout out the Farmers' Market across the street at the Native Sons Hall). The first three sessions will uncover some of the mysteries behind Christmas. November 29th- Old School Entertainment: Making Pioneer Toys December 6th - Christmas Crafts: Decorations Then and Now December 13th- Lighting Up the Past: Tin Can Lanterns These are drop-in classes on a first come, [...]
Tales of Kona the Guide Dog
On Saturday, December 13, from 12:00-3:00, Paul Horgen, Retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and active community contributor will share his new children's book, Tales of Kona the Guide Dog. Kona will accompany Paul. This is a great opportunity to meet Paul and Kona, to learn more about guide dogs and to find a perfect gift for children. A portion of the proceeds from Paul's book sales will go to BC & Alberta Guide Dog Services and to Project Watershed Society. Here's a review from William Thornton, Founder & CEO, BC Guide Dogs "I am quite certain, the Tales of Kona will [...]
Members Only Gift Shop Sale
Members Receive 25% off for "25 days of Christmas" The Museum gift shop is well stocked and ready for the Christmas Season! Our members usually receive a 15% discount but during our Christmas Special we are giving a whopping 25% discount for 25 days – running Saturday, November 22nd through to Wednesday, December 17th. If you are looking for gifts that are little unusual we have a wonderful variety of reasonably priced items to choose from. Janet Baskets Small $23.00, large $30.00, lids $8.00 Vancouver Island Maps $16.00 - $21.00 Elasmosaur Coffee from Royston Roasting ½ pound $7.50, 1 pound $13.00 Kanata Blanket [...]
Lecture: Tofino and Clayoquot Sound
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay & District Museum Speakers: Margaret Horsfield and Ian Kennedy 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. Clayoquot Sound, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, is not only a place of extraordinary raw beauty, but also a region with a rich heritage and fascinating past. Click Here to Read More
Elasmosaur Birthday & Christmas Party
Two celebrations equals twice the fun! On Saturday, November 22nd from 11 am – 4 pm, the museum is inviting the community to drop by for a visit and share some cheer. Elasmosaur and fossil related activities will include dinosaur movies, fossil exhibits and a chance to talk to paleo experts for fossil identification. For those in a more Christmas frame of mind there will be a chance to make children’s Christmas crafts and enjoy a reading of "The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas". Or maybe you’d just like to come by for some cake or Christmas goodies and enter your name for [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Military Camps and WWII
A further call to arms for men of the Valley in this rather interesting article about military training from the Comox District Free Press of October 10, 1940. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Winter Hours
The museum is now operating on our winter hours schedule. Please note that we are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
It’s All There in Black and White: The Seale & Thomson Building
The Seale & Thomson building has seen a lot of changes since it opened in March of 1948. Have a look at one of its incarnations from the September 8, 1971 Comox District Free Press. More changes are afoot. Mudsharks Coffee Bar just completed a patio resurfacing courtesy of a grant from the Downtown Business Improvement Association façade improvement program and the Gladstone Brewing company hopes to open there later this year. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
Shop at CDM
Getting Ready for Christmas! Step right up and get ready for those Christmas lists with gifts and items from the CDM Museum Shop which, with great new items, has doubled its popularity and revenues over the past year. Maps, children’s stuffies, baskets, and elasmosaur coffee from Royston Roasting are just a few of the new items. A Good Turn from Talented People If you’re looking for s special gift this year that will do a whole lot of good, pick up your copy of the 2015 Comox Valley Calendar created to benefit the Comox Valley Food Bank. The brain child of Frieda Home with [...]
The Great Outdoors
A Short Drive to Paradise Meadows The Courtenay and District Museum has a mandate of cultural and natural history. Because of that, the society has always had a large number of outdoor enthusiasts in its membership. The fall months are a beautiful time of year to enjoy Strathcona Park. Check out these great hikes with the Strathcona Wilderness Institute by clicking here. For those happy to stroll the accessible pathways and day hikes here's more information.
Fall Museum Discovery Days
The Courtenay and District Museum is now actively presenting Fall Museum Discovery Days for children 6-12 while schools are closed. Attendance has been great and students and parents are providing good feedback. Discovery Days include learning about the cultural and natural history of the Comox Valley through activities. The classes are popular, so please book in advance. Instructor and guide: Pat Trask Topic: Learn about the cultural, pioneer and natural history of the Comox Valley through activities and tours. Activities: Crafts, fossil casting, dinosaur movies, a behind the scenes look at collection areas and interactive games. Daily: Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm Fee: [...]
Gift Shop News With a Roar!
If you’ve visited the Courtenay and District Museum gift shop recently you’ll know what we’re talking about when we say—“It looks great!” With the help of Visitor Services Manager, Gillian Miller, we’ve sourced more one-of-a-kind items that are making the gift shop a unique place to shop in the valley. From maps, to great history and children’s books, to hand-made stuffies of elasmosaurs and ammonites, to children’s bear and wolf hats for the fall, sales have increased. Grrrrr! And it all helps support museum programming. Bonus if you buy a membership because it’s 15% off for most items. Try it, you’ll like it!
Would Our Mothers Have Called Them Heritage Crafts?
Coming Fall 2014! There's a new spin on knitting, crocheting, weaving and many other domestic crafts. In some circles, they're now called heritage crafts. Works for us. Because heritage is the business we love. That's why we're going to be presenting knitting, fiber days and general craft days throughout the fall. Stay tuned to our September newsletter for more information on these activities.