Latest News
Easter Celebration Wrap Up
Our Easter Celebration at the museum was a fabulous success with over 300 visitors attending! There was a line up for everyone who wanted to make crafts; the most popular craft of the day was the rabbit mask. The mineral egg collection was also a hit. We would like to give a huge thank you to the Shamrock Gumboot 4-H Club for bringing a vast array of animals for the petting zoo and to the volunteers who helped us prepare for the day. It was such a wonderful opportunity for all the children to be introduced to friendly farm animals. To top it off [...]
Upcoming Lecture: Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway
Friday May 10, 2013 - 7 pm Join Robert (Bob) Turner, a leading authority on transportation history in BC, as he discusses the story of the E&N Railway's CPR steam years. During the days of steam power on the railway, the E&N was a distant outpost of the Canadian Pacific Railway's vast system, but it was a profitable one. It hauled logs and coal, fish and paper, strawberries and raspberries, beer and wine, automobiles and oil, and tons and tons of wood. Click Here for Details
Vancouver Island Mountaineering History
We hosted a great lecture last night with some wonderful slides about Vancouver Island mountaineering. To find out more about our speaker Lindsay Elms and how to purchase his book “Above the Bush, A Century of Climbing on Vancouver Island 1912-2012” click here
Before Television: WWI Easter Postcard
A lovely Easter postcard from our collection. It is from the WW I era and features what might be a primula bouquet on the cross. Sending postcards with their handwritten messages has definitely been on the decline since the invention of the internet and e-cards. Just ask Canada Post.
Bye Bye Wendy
The museum bids a fond farewell to longtime employee Wendy Fried Olsson who leaves us to move to eastern Canada. Wendy has been with the museum on and off since 1992. She has pretty much done every job under the sun here: from fossil casts to exhibit creation to archival processing. Why she has even been known to scrub clothes on a washboard for furthering the knowledge of social history! Wendy has made major contributions to Comox Valley research, organization of archives and to community projects such as the Wall of Remembrance on the Sid Williams Theatre. We extend our best wishes to Wendy [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Pursued by a Prehistoric Monster
In this March 17, 1949 edition of the Comox District Free Press you will read about one man’s terrifying experience with a prehistoric monster. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Register for Spring Break Programmes
March 26 to April 4 Spring break is on the way. This year we are offering three different sessions for kids to choose from: The Age of Dinosaurs, Go Fly a Kite! and Kid’s Rock! Continue Reading
Easter Celebrations – March 23, 2013
Easter will be coming to the Museum a little early this year! Mark Saturday, March 23rd on your calendars for a fun time for the whole family. Our Easter celebration will run from 11 am to 3 pm. Admission is by donation. There will be the opportunity to make some fun Easter crafts. Make a nest with baby birds, an Easter chicken or rabbit. A special display of over 100 amazing brightly coloured egg-shaped minerals will be on exhibit. The “eggs” are machine ground and polished showing their inner textures. The Hot Chocolates rabbit will be hopping in at some point to pay us [...]
Before Television: 1920’s Make-up Case
“Before Television” is a feature that shares the Courtenay and District Museum collection with readers while at the same time highlighting the ingenuity and creativity of people as they added beauty and personal style to items from their home and work life. This month’s item is a natty cigarette and make-up case from the 1920s featuring a needlepoint design. The case opens into several compartments: mirror, loose face powder, puff, and holder for seven cigarettes. With lipstick clamped firmly to the top, just grab this compact little number and you were ready to go.
Gift Shop Update
The museum gift shop is gearing up for spring break and summer visitors. Some new items that have already arrived are hoodies, mugs and totes with the up-dated museum logo. We also have a new range of brightly coloured cotton scarves, water bottles and travel mugs in stock. And expect to see a line of distinctly Canadian items in the near future – they make the perfect gifts for family and friends who live outside of the country. Remember: if you are a Museum Member you will receive a 15% discount on gift shop items (sorry not applicable on consignment items).
It’s All There in Black and White: St. Joseph’s Hospital Report 1927
2013 marks the 100th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital and this January 19, 1928 Courtenay Free Press article gives a nod to their past. It is the Hospital Report for 1927 which contains some very interesting facts and figures in regards to finances and patient care. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Heritage Week: Heritage Homes and Neighbourhoods
February 18-24, 2013 Take a look back at what must have been one of the loveliest homes in the Comox Valley, The Fort, which was built for Sir Ernest and Lady Petter in 1938-39. The building still stands today at 156 Manor Place and houses professional offices. It is part of the Town of Comox Heritage Walking Tour. The three images that follow are from the Sillence Collection held here at the museum. And (what luck!) our archives file contained a wonderful description and details about the house’s interior and grounds from The Vancouver Sun of Tuesday, June 27, 1939. Fine Comox Mansion for [...]