Latest News
Archives Week
In recognition of BC Archives Week (November 18-24) we share this piece of advertising ephemera from the archives collection.
Elasmosaur Birthday Party
The Elasmosaur's birthday is fast approaching and this year the fossil will be 80,000, 025 years old. On Saturday, November 16th from 11 am – 4 pm, the museum is inviting the community to visit, see the exhibits, talk to the experts and bring in fossils for identification. Festivities include a birthday cake and kids crafts. The museum will show dinosaur movies all day in the Rotary Gallery and on the big-screen monitors. Admission to the event is by donation.
Discounts for Members at Sid Williams
The Sid Williams Theatre Society is offering museum members a special discount on two shows coming up in November. Special pricing is available on tickets for Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir on Nov. 15 and Dock Side Drive on Nov. 16, two shows that are part of the Sid's Blue Circle Series. Both performances begin at 7:30 pm. To get the discount members simply mention their Courtenay and District Museum affiliation in person, by phone, or selecting "Member price" and typing "Courtenay Museum member" in the Notes field when purchasing online. The Sid Williams Theatre Society team continues to work on strengthening [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Produce Week
Here's a rather unique way to raise food and funds during the great depression courtesy of the 1930 Courtenay Free Press. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
VIX Group Boosts Museum’s Earth Science Programmes
The Courtenay and District Museum has received a boost of $5,000 for its earth science programmes from the Vancouver Island Exploration Group (VIX) with the financial assistance of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AMEBC). One of the main goals of the VIX is to promote education and best practices in geology and mineral resources; including exploration and mining on Vancouver Island. With this in mind, Del Ferguson, Chairman of the VIX Outreach Committee, approached the museum about supporting earth science programmes to youth groups who may not normally have the chance to participate in the museum's popular earth science programmes. “With the recent [...]
Before Television: Perpetual Calendar
CDM 985.4.1 What Happens When We Turn off the Remote “Before Television” is a newsletter feature that shares the Courtenay and District Museum collection with readers. This charming artifact is a perpetual calendar affixed to a thin sheet of decorated metal. It may have been a token gift from Rev. Menzies to his congregation. Reverend Thomas Menzies (1870-1947) was a much respected figure in the Comox Valley. He came here with his family in 1900 and became pastor of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in the spring of that year. An article from The Courtenay-Comox Argus of March 20, 1947 briefly summarizes some [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Famous Deer
What did it take to reach the "highest rung in the ladder of fame" in 1939? This September 28th Comox District Free Press article spells it out (for those of us with four legs, anyway).
Museum Hosts Fall Line-Up of Award Winning Authors
The three authors the Courtenay and District Museum will host this fall have a few things in common. Paula Wild, Richard Mackie and Tom Peek are all award winners, intrigued with the natural and cultural historic world around them and willing to share their knowledge with a wider audience. Don’t miss these exciting events.
Stay Tuned for Fall Events
Stay tuned to the museum’s fall line-up of events including lectures and readings by, Authors Richard Mackie, Paula Wild and Tom Peek. As well, we’ll be rolling into fall with exciting events such as reptile day, the elasmosaur’s birthday and a Halloween celebration. Link to our coming events calendar for more details.
Gift Shop News – August 2013
These just in… fun items just for kids! "Eggs" that crack open and a toy baby dinosaur pops out, stretchy dinosaurs, T-Rex wrist pets and glow in the dark dinosaurs that stick to ceilings and walls. New stuffies have also arrived and they include hummingbirds, moose, otters, orcas and our favourite dinosaurs. We carry a variety of items that are made in Canada, such as t-towels, oven mitts, pot holders, aprons and mugs. There are some wonderful First Nations bear, salmon and moose themed items in stock. Remember if you have a museum membership you will receive 15% off on all non-consignment items.
It’s All There in Black and White: Footbridge Over the River
Pedestrian bridge across the Courtenay River? Been there; done that 90 years ago. Check out these newspaper snippets from the Cumberland Islander of August 11, 1923. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Before Television: Mystery Objects
What Happens When We Turn off the Remote Unique cigarette holders? Medieval tools of torture? No, just an example of a woman’s beauty supplies from the mid-20th Century – metal hair curlers. These curlers are in the wire clasp style and would be used when doing a "wet set". Although not pictured here, the curlers came in every size from "midget" known for grabbing onto those pesky short hairs at the neck nape, to "giant" which would have been used for fashionable rolls and puffs.
Kids Discover Update
Only a couple more chances left to partake in the Kids Discover! programme here at the museum. There are still a few spaces left for kids aged 5 to 7 in the August 20 to 22 slot and kids aged 8 to12 in the August 27 to 29 group. Click here for Details