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Swift Observations
The Vaux’s Swifts have returned to the Courtenay Museum’s brick chimney. With help from Mayor Bob Wells, City of Courtenay staff and ACS solutions, museum staff have placed a live camera on the chimney to view the swift traffic on their migration from Central America to Northern BC and Alaska.
To learn more about Vaux’s Swifts Click Here
May is Asian Heritage Month
Numerous diverse communities of Asian heritage helped shape history in the Comox Valley and British Columbia and continue today.
In Canada, to honour these ongoing contributions, May is Asian Heritage Month. As Canadian Heritage states, “Since the late-1700s, people of Asian heritage have made important contributions to Canada’s history and identity. Each year, as part of its annual Asian Heritage Month campaign, the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to learn about how Canadians of Asian heritage have and continue to help shape Canada as we know it today.
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Online Lecture: Travel Journal 101 – Proof of Life
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 7 pm
Join artist and travel journaler, Wayne Wilson, for an inspiring Zoom presentation, where he will show you how to create your own travel journal. Drawing from his museum career and from outdoor expeditions, Wayne will share his tips and tricks for keeping a lasting memory of your experiences.
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It's All There in Black and White
Community Leader and Business Owner, Norman Leung receiving the 1986 Citizen of the Year award, published in this January 28, 1987 article from the Comox District Free Press.
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With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Gold in the Oyster River
See more historical images and stories like this in the museum’s 2020 book Stepping Into Wilderness published with Harbour Publishing.
The Oyster River has long been a magnet for gold seekers. Placer mining, which uses water to separate gold deposits from river gravel washed downstream from the mother lode, could be done with something as simple as a pan or as complex as a series of sluice boxes.
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Collection Selections
For this edition of Collection Selections we take a look at this 1:24 scale Puntledge River Powerhouse model, made by John Henry Boffy and his son, James, in 1935. Thank you to the Cumberland Museum and Archives for donating it to the Courtenay Museum in 2021.
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Online Lecture: “Lest We Forget”
Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Join art conservator Tanya Richards for a special Zoom presentation in which she will detail the various challenges of conserving the one-of-a-kind scrapbook, “Lest We Forget,” and the process of making a facsimile copy. The leather-bound compendium was created by Ruth Masters in the 1970’s to commemorate the men from the Comox Valley who died in the First and Second World Wars.
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Laver’s Department Store Building Turns 100
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the T. Booth & Sons store opening at the corner of Cliffe Avenue and 5th Street in May 1922. Mr. R. Laver purchased the building in 1927 after a prosperous season in the space, and Laver’s Department Store remained open until the Spring of 1989.
Over the last century, the building has been the home to many businesses: Laver’s Department Store, Zocalo Cafe, Cornerstone Taphouse to name a few.
Photo of the Month
CDM #p55-145 May Day Celebration, Courtenay, 1923
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Your Membership and Donations Make A Difference
Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 61st 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
Gift Shop News
The Creative Eye @ the Courtenay Museum Gift Shop
Ever wonder who the creative eye is behind purchasing at the museum gift shop? Gillian Miller, Visitor Services and Gift Shop Manager has a long history of knowing what visitors like. Having formerly managed the Chemainus Information Centre and worked with the Comox Valley Chamber as well as having international tourism experience, Gillian orders items that please most visitors.
Enthusiastic about items made locally or from afar, Gillian says, “I am always looking for new unique gifts. This week, some amazing new items have arrived from the Eric & Christopher line. They’re high quality and made from 100% cotton canvas. They include cushions with sunflowers, lavender, and cute rabbits with bow ties and tutus. The tea-towels are extra large with bright coloured dragonflies, bees, sunflowers and lavender. We also have totes with very sweet rabbits.”
All gift shop proceeds go to museum programming. Happy spring to Gillian and to all!
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:
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