Lecture: A Perfect Eden
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Michael Layland
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets strongly recommended as lecture series frequently sells out. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5.
In 1842, when explorer James Douglas encountered the rugged natural paradise that would become Vancouver Island, he described it as "a perfect Eden." This talk, based on Layland's book of the same name, will touch on the early recorded histories and personal accounts left by Chinese seafarers, Spanish and British naval officers, traders seeking sea otter pelts, colonial surveyors, as well as soldiers, settlers, and other adventurers, starting from many centuries ago up to 1858.
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This presentation is made possible with financial assistance from The Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers' Union of Canada.
Gift Shop News
New season, new stock!
The gift shop now carries Backroad Mapbooks. You can purchase the 8th edition of Vancouver Island - Victoria and Gulf Islands - Adventure maps and guide book for $25.95. This includes great information on parks, recreation sites, trails, fishing, hunting, paddling and more.
Or what about one of the Backroad Mapbooks for Vancouver Island Fishing 3rd edition? This includes lakes and rivers, depth charts, maps, directions, species, tips and techniques and stock information. The cost is $27.95.
To top it off, if you are looking for adventure topographic maps we have fabulous tear resistant, waterproof Vancouver Island South or North maps. These maps are amazing and extremely popular. The cost is $14.95 each.
Your Membership and Donations Make A Difference
Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 57th year, supports heritage preservation in the Comox Valley through special events, lectures, education programmes, research and exhibitions. Your membership benefits these award winning programmes on a year round basis and we appreciate it!
Becoming a member provides you with discounts in the gift shop and on lectures and an opportunity to support one of the most active regional museums in British Columbia. Thank you for your support.
Click here to Join
Click Here to Make a Donation
Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District.
Photo credit: Courtenay's original city centre, ca. 1905. Walter Gage photograph. Photo: CDM 972.270.2. Page 62-63.
Photo caption: ""Lewistown," as some called it, was just across from the head of the slough, at the junction of Dyke Road and Upper Prairie Road. It became a thriving commercial centre...Opposite the hotel was McKean & Biscoe's dry goods and grocery store. The Masonic Lodge met on the upper floor of this building for thirty-three years. Courtenay's first bank, the Royal Bank of Canada, opened here in 1909." Page 63.
Click Here for a Larger Version
2018 BC Paleontological Symposium
Don't miss the 2018 BC Paleontological Symposium in Courtenay from August 17-20. Keynote Speaker, Dr. Richard Hebda and Special Guest Speaker, Artist, Ray Troll, will lead off the 2018 12th BC Paleontological Association Symposium in Courtenay. Everyone is invited.
Supported by the Vancouver Island Paleontological Society and the Courtenay and District Museum, the symposium will feature 15 formal presentations, field trips and a fossil prep workshop. Historically, the BCPA symposiums feature an art exhibit of varied media and paleo-imagination and this tradition will continue. In tandem with the symposium, the museum will be hosting an exhibit of in-house and private fossil collections from May to December.
Symposium registration fees are $150 + GST for professional paleontologists and non-BCPA members; $120 + GST for BCPA members and $100 for students. This includes all activities except field trips and workshops.
Here's more information on the symposium outline and guest speakers
Click here to Download the Registration Form
Comox Valley Genealogy
A reminder that the Comox Valley Genealogy Group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm in the Courtenay Library. Meetings feature guest speakers and a chance for members to share their discoveries. All are welcome!
FMI: info@cvgenealogygroup.org
It's All There in Black and White
Can you believe it's been 50 years since G.P. Vanier Senior Secondary School officially opened? This article from the April 10, 1968 Comox District Free Press contains interesting tidbits about the school and its' namesake.
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With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Photo of the Month
CDM #989.183.161
Sea plane, 1939
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Museum Funding
The Courtenay and District Historical Society was registered as a nonprofit society in 1961 to preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. It has functioned as an independent society since that time. Funds are derived from the generous support of the City of Courtenay, British Columbia Arts Council, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia Gaming Branch, and from museum generated revenues and donations.
Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum: