Latest News
Fall School Programmes
Keeping it Current—and Historic! With the help of Aleta Salmon, Summer Programme Coordinator, the museum is rolling out a whole new line-up of programming for students for the 2014-2015 school year. Currently, the museum is strong on presenting programmes in the earth sciences. Added to this, museum staff are working on revamping and creating new programming in settlement history, First Nations and general natural history to match education curriculum for varied grade levels. We're looking forward to a busy fall and winter season! More information will be available on this programming by the end of August and we'll be sending out a special email [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: A House for $4000
Amazing deal being offered by Central Builders’ Supply – basically an entire house for just over $4000! But wait, wait...the sale ended 56 years ago. Darn. It still makes for fun reading though so check out this ad from the August 20, 1958 edition of the Comox District Free Press. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
Annual General Meeting: 53 Years and Counting
The Courtenay and District Historical Society will host its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 10th beginning at 6:30 pm in the museum’s Rotary Gallery. Fifty three years ago, in 1961, founders of the Courtenay and District Historical Society began the organization with a regional mandate to create the Courtenay and District Museum (CDM) in order to collect, preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. Core values of the museum encompass integrity, inclusiveness, community service, rigorous research, objective interpretation and public outreach. Up to 1987, a diverse group of volunteers managed the governance and everyday operation of the museum. [...]
Upscale! Our New Elasmosaur
Have you met the new guy in town? He’s tall, green and handsome. If you haven’t seen him in person yet you soon will as he’s often out partying at community events. How’d he come to be here? Well, he sprang from the fertile imagination and nimble fingers of volunteer Coral Dunn. A job well done, Coral. The museum and marine reptile fans everywhere thank you.
Get to Courtenay Museum by Bus!
Photo courtesy of husseinabdallah The Comox Valley Regional District is trying to encourage the use of transit in the Comox Valley. One way of doing this is via technology and showing the public how easy it is to plan your route via Google Maps. Below is a link to Google Maps, with the destination of the Museum already entered: Click Here to Plan Your Journey » Give it a try, and you'll see how easy it is to use! You can also visit the CVRD website for more locations in the Comox Valley.
It’s All There in Black and White: That Rings a Bell
Who’s up for a round of “That Rings a Bell”’? Take a look at this list from the Comox District Free Press of July 14, 1965 and see how many community minded businesses you can recognize. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Courtenay E & N Railway Station’s 100th Anniversary
CDM 989.204.3 The Courtenay E & N Railway station reaches its milestone 100th anniversary in 2014. Work began here in 1912 as recorded in the Courtenay Review newspaper from December 5th “E&N Rlwy is clearing 10 acres of land between the Lake Trail and the Cumberland Road for erection of a roundhouse and machine shops.” Stubbs Collection at CDM The first passenger train into Courtenay arrived August 6th, 1914 at 4:10 pm. The Courtenay Review newspaper from August 13th noted that the train “consisted of baggage and express cars and four coaches”. The trip all the way from Victoria would [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: New Air Strip in Courtenay
Hard to believe that it has been 50 years since the beginnings of the Courtenay Air Park. This Comox District Free Press article from June 16, 1964 reports on its start. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Capes Escape: All Spruced Up!
Workers have just completed a mini-reno/up-date on the Capes Escape vacation rental property and the place is looking great! If you've got company coming for a visit and are looking for a comfortable and convenient rental space, consider Capes Escape. For further information and availability please click here
Summer Hours
Open Seven Days a Week The Courtenay and District Museum is now on its summer operating schedule and is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00 and Sundays from 12:00 to 4:00 until Labour Day. As always, members visit free.
BC Paleo Alliance Presents Rene Savenye Award to Pat Trask
Pat Trask and Dr. Jim Haggart (Left to Right) On May 10, 2014 the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance (BCPA) presented the Rene Savenye Award to Pat Trask, Curator, Earth Sciences at the Courtenay Museum during the BCPA annual conference at the University of Victoria. The BCPA is a union of professional and amateur paleontological organizations working to advance the science of paleontology in the province by fostering public awareness, scientific collecting and education, and by promoting communication among all those interested in fossils. The BCPA's Rene Savenye Award was established in 2003 to periodically honour an amateur paleontologist who has demonstrated outstanding [...]
Summer Programmes for Everyone
The museum is offering a variety of programmes for kids and adults this season. Read on to find out how you can be involved in the fun! Dinosaur Story Time at the Museum - begins July 7th Starting July 7 and re-occurring every Monday throughout the summer at 1pm, children of any age are invited to come and listen to a dinosaur story at the museum. Story Time is a free drop-in activity. (Note: the museum will be closed on Monday, August 4th). Learn to Dye Wool - begins June 20th Children will learn to dye wool using everyday kitchen supplies and the heat [...]
July 1st Open House
On Canada Day, drop by the Courtenay and District Museum after the parade and help celebrate our country's birthday. There will be free admission, balloons and door prize draws between 12 noon and 4 pm. Special activities will include cupcake walks for all ages and a hands-on craft for kids. Musical entertainment will be provided by Alan Jossul. Canada Day is a great chance to explore history at the museum. Discoveries happen here!