Latest News
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
Stuffed Stuff: Elasmo Stuffies
The Courtenay and District Museum is well known for many things: terrific science camps, fossil tours, eye opening exhibits, and a great archival collection. But there is one feature in particular that tends to take centre stage: the Elasmosaur. So it probably comes as no surprise that there would be some sort of squishy and huggable replica sold at the gift shop. Hand crafted with love, museum staff have collaborated to create completely unique plush Elasmosaurs for you to buy and enjoy. Just $16 each (plus taxes) and you’ve got your very own souvenir!
Family Fun!
This summer's Fossil Tours are as popular as ever attracting visitors from far and wide. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and have fun in the great outdoors. Click Here for More Details
Canadian Letters and Images Project
Interested in reading about the past through the words of the people who actually lived it? A website you may not be aware of is the Canadian Letters and Images Project headed by history professor Dr. Stephen Davies at Vancouver Island University. The website describes the project as "an online archive of the Canadian war experience, from any war, as told through the letters and images of Canadians themselves...". Click here to Visit
It’s All There in Black and White: Crime and Punishment
Comox Valley crime and punishment courtesy of the Comox District Free Press of August 12, 1937.
About Garry Oaks
Many people in the Comox Valley are familiar with the stands of Garry oaks that we see north of Courtenay, but did you know that Garry oaks, Quercus garryana, were part of an extensive hardwood forest in BC before the last ice age? Garry oak was named by botanist and explorer, David Douglas, for Nicholas Garry (1782-1856) who served as deputy-governor of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1822-1835. Here's more information on these beautiful trees: The Government of BC Guide Canada's Historic Places page on the Tsolum Stand About Nicholas Garry
July Gift Shop News
We have a ton of new items in the museum gift shop! Our newly designed T-shirts have been flying off the racks. We are one of the few stores in the Comox Valley that has T-shirts with "Courtenay" on them. Another new addition to our stock are the fabulous wooden bangles with colourful First Nations' designs. The 1 ½ inch bangles sell for $15 and the ¾ inch for $10 each. We have also just received a shipment of the 35th Anniversary Edition of Now You're Logging! by Bus Griffiths. This really amazing book is great for anyone interested in logging history or folk [...]