Courtenay & District Museum




The Courtenay and District Museum welcomes and invites all visitors to enjoy memorable experiences and to discover the Comox Valley’s natural and cultural history.





  • Fossil Tours Are Back!
  • Brand New Elasmosaur Shirts in the Gift Shop
  • We’re Hiring Summer Students!
  • New Exhibit: Models & Miniatures
  • Courtenay Streets
  • RCAF Centennial Celebration
  • Standing the Test of Time
  • Spring Fling Wrap-Up
  • Photo of the Month
  • Your Membership and Donations Make A Difference
  • Check out our Instagram!
  • We Want Your Feedback
  • Museum Funding






  • Phone:
    250-334-0686

    Email:
    info@courtenaymuseum.ca

    Website:
    www.courtenaymuseum.ca

    Mailing Address:
    207 Fourth Street,
    Courtenay BC,
    V9N 1G7





    Tuesday – Saturday
    10:00 am to 4:00 pm





    President
    John Wilson

    Vice President
    Daryl Wright

    Past President
    April Shopland

    Rick Ross
    Jim Haggart
    Ross Dingwall
    Julie Fortin
    Christine Dickinson

    Member of...

    British Columbia Museums Association

    Canadian Museums
    Association

    Archives Association of
    British Columbia

    British Columbia Historical Federation

    Heritage BC





    Comox Museum

    Cumberland Museum

    Comox Air Force Museum

    Filberg Heritage Lodge

    I-Hos Gallery

    HMCS ALBERNI Museum and Memorial

    K'ómoks First Nation

    Strathcona Wilderness Institute

    Project Watershed

    Sid Williams Theatre

    Comox Valley Art Gallery

    Comox Valley Arts

    Comox Valley Exhibition




    We respectfully acknowledge that the museum provides services within the traditional territory of K'ómoks First Nation.

    We respect the diversity of cultures, stories and experiences that form the richness of our regional heritage.




     

    Fossil Tours Are Back!


    As the warmer weather approaches, don’t forget to book your spot on a world famous fossil tour guided by our Natural History Curator, Pat Trask. Tours will run from now until the fall, with public tours for families and school programming available for classes and youth groups. These tour options are the perfect outing for all ages, newcomers and returning enthusiasts.

    Click for More Details

    For more information and to book your tour, please call (250) 334 - 0686 ext. 2 or send an email to info@courtenaymuseum.ca.


     

    Brand New Elasmosaur Shirts in the Gift Shop


    The museum is proud to announce brand new t-shirts to commemorate the elasmosaur’s official designation as the provincial fossil of BC. We teamed up with our long-time collaborators at Hitec Screen Printing to locally print these fabulous shirts, available in black and heather grey in adult ($32.99) and youth ($22.99) sizes.

    They’re already selling fast, so pick up your size of choice and show your pride for this famous fossil.


     

    We’re Hiring Summer Students!


    Is someone you know looking for work experience this summer? Thanks to Canada Summer Jobs 2024, the museum has three positions available for summer students: Community Museum Technician, Corporate Assistant, and Earth Sciences Assistant Curator.

    If you or someone you know is interested, please send your resume to info@courtenaymuseum.ca or drop off a hard copy at the front desk.

    Click Here for Position Details


     

    New Exhibit: Models & Miniatures
    Saturday, April 27th


    Why do we find so much joy in models and miniatures? Although we are stuck at our scale and the lens it gives us to see the world, for thousands of years our species has been drawn to crafting our culture in sizes that offer new perspectives.

    This theme is explored in a new exhibit opening on Saturday, April 27th, which will feature items almost entirely from the museum’s own collection. Until then, stay tuned for more information about the exhibit on our website and social media.


     

    Courtenay Streets

    This month’s newsletter highlights Fitzgerald Avenue and the family it’s named after.

    The article was penned by local historian Dorothy Isabelle Stubbs (1905-2003) who wrote several different columns for newspapers over the years including “Spotlight on Courtenay Streets” for the Comox District Free Press in 1970. This article appeared in the March 11th edition.


    Continue Reading

    Click Here for Bonus Photograph


     

    RCAF Centennial Celebration


    April 1st, 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. The centennial milestone is an opportunity to showcase and honour its distinct heritage through several events and celebrations.

    Locally, the Comox Air Force Museum is taking on the 19 Wing Centennial 2024 Project. This project centers on the expansion and improvement of the Comox Air Force Museum’s Heritage Air Park, including a larger footprint, better fencing, a new gate, refurbishing aircrafts, and the addition of the Vampire Pavillion.


     

    Standing the Test of Time


    This year marks an anniversary milestone for several Comox Valley longstanding clubs, businesses, and organizations.

    In case you missed it, the Comox Valley Photography Society held their 2024 ImageFest at the Sid Williams Theatre on March 30th to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Next up, the Comox Valley Ocean Waves Square Dancing Club will be celebrating their 70th anniversary with a dance at the Native Sons Hall on April 7th. The Laughing Oyster Book Shop is celebrating their 50th anniversary with monthly gift card draws from now until August. And early next month, the Comox Valley Family Services Association is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a 1974-style event at the C.V. Curling Club on May 3rd.

    Come out to support your local peers that have enriched our Valley’s spirit, and make yourself a part of our history.


     

    Spring Fling Wrap-Up


    We want to extend a big thank you to the nearly-600 attendees who came to the museum’s Spring Fling and Easter Things event on March 23rd. And a huge thank you to Mr. Day and his crew, the Barnyard Party Animals family, and Amy from Magical Faces for making the event such a success.

    If you missed it, follow us on social media to keep up to date on our big events.


     

    Photo of the Month


    CDM #989.69.69 J.E. Aston Shoe Store, Courtenay, 1916

    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 63rd 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


     

    Check out our Instagram!


    The museum is scheduling lectures and events throughout the year, so follow us on Instagram and stay up to date on all events and news.

    Also, if you have experienced one of our weekly events or our fossil tours feel free to post a pic and tag us with #CourtenayandDistrictMuseum, we would love to see your posts!

    Visit our Instagram

    #CourtenayandDistrictMuseum
    #ComoxValley
    #DowntownCourtenay
    #CourtenayMuseum
    #FossilTours


     

    We Want Your Feedback


    If you’ve been to the museum recently, we’re interested in your feedback. Fill out our short survey to explore what people enjoy and where they’re visiting from.

    Click here to take the survey


     

    Museum Funding

    In 1961, founders of the Courtenay and District Historical Society began with a regional mandate to create the Courtenay and District Museum (CDM) to collect, preserve and interpret natural and cultural heritage of the Comox Valley. Core values encompass integrity, inclusiveness, community service, rigorous research, objective interpretation and public outreach.

    Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum:

    The City of Courtenay

    BC Arts Councils

    Regional District Comox-Strathcona

    British Columbia Gaming Commision

    United Way British Columbia

    Vancouver Foundation