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Traskasaura: a Brand New Genus and Species
It’s official! At long last, what was known as the Puntledge River elasmosaur now has its own scientific name: Traskasaura sandrae, named in its scientific paper published on May 23, 2025 in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, by Dr. F. Robin O’Keefe.
This monumental achievement for the museum and the scientific community was made possible following years of research and decades of building and promoting by museum board and staff, paleontologists, citizen scientists, volunteers, fellow national and international museums, successive MLA’s Stan Hagen, Don McRae, Evelyn Gillespie and Ronna-Rae Leonard, the City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District, and thousands of visitors each year.
Click Here to read the full press release, and Click Here to read the scientific paper.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Comox Valley will have no shortage of activities to celebrate this important day.
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations will be held at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Click Here for the schedule, details, and how you can get involved.
And it’s not just a single day - June is National Indigenous History Month, and the Queneesh Society has already begun with the West Coast Indigenous Elders Conference from May 27-29, 2025. Click Here for more details about upcoming events and workshops on their website.
In Memoriam
The Courtenay and District Historical Society lost a supporter with the death of Mike Trask on May 15, 2025.
Mike Trask’s name will be forever linked with the 1988 discovery of the Puntledge River elasmosaur. It was with this find that the full potential of fossil resources in the Comox Valley started to be revealed.
Mike worked closely with the museum in the following years by joining the Board of Trustees/Directors, acting as team leader for paleo excavations, hosting tours, and generally being an ambassador to media outlets. While all that time he was uncovering more fossils.
In spring of 1995 he penned a guest column for the museum newsletter that summed up the excitement and productivity of those days.
Read it here in his own words.
Tremendous thanks are due to Mike for placing his fossil finds at the Courtenay and District Museum where they could act as a spark to discovery and knowledge for so many.
A Facelift for the Rotary Gallery
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Courtenay, the Courtenay Museum’s Rotary Gallery has received some fabulous new upgrades and features, such as a full set of new ceiling light fixtures, a brand new sink and cabinets in the adjacent kitchen, and a fresh coat of wall paint.
If you would like to rent the Rotary Gallery space for an event, or the second-floor Dogwood Gallery, Click Here for more info. To inquire about the discounted rate exclusive for non-profit organizations, call 250-334-0686 ext.2.
Canada Day Open House
The Courtenay and District Museum will celebrate Canada Day with an open house from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1. Guests are welcome to enjoy live music by Alan Jossul, enter to win a door prize, and try their hand at kids’ crafts.
There will also be a special one-day-only 50% off sale for the book Step Into Wilderness: A Pictorial History of Outdoor Exploration in and around the Comox Valley (limit of 3 per person).
While you’re at the museum loving the air-conditioned comfort, take a few moments to check out the second-floor exhibit Broken Promises, a travelling exhibit from the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.
Gift Shop News
We're excited to announce new wet and needle felting artwork by Local Artist, Cheryl Webster, now available in the Museum Gift Shop. Cheryl started Hummingbird Felting Studio in Royston earlier this year to explore her newfound passion for felting, and she continues to wow us with her beautiful work.
Looking to learn wet felting and needle felting for yourself? You’re in luck! Cheryl leads private and group classes so you can make a creation of your very own. Bookings can be made through her Facebook page linked above, or by phone: 250-703-1537.
Gearing Up for Fossil Tours
Summer’s almost here! Don’t miss your chance 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.
Vaux’s Swifts 2025 Highlights
Tune in to watch the highlight reel from the Vaux’s swifts return to the Courtenay Museum’s brick chimney. After this stop, they continued their migration from Central America to Northern BC and Alaska. Click Here to watch the video.
In addition, vauxhappening.org will be releasing their final 2025 stats for each notable location along the Vaux’s swifts migratory path soon, visit the website to see the data when it’s published.
June 2025 Heritage Sights
The unique brick and sandstone Courtenay Post Office was built during 1925. Forty thousand faced bricks from Redcliffe, Alberta were used, as well as 100,000 common bricks from Victoria. These bricks certainly became a talking point in June 1946 when the building was damaged by a 7.3 earthquake!
Continue Reading
Miners Memorial 40th Anniversary
This June marks the 40th anniversary Miners Memorial in Cumberland. The Cumberland Museum & Archives will also host a series of events from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 including talks, a community picnic and an in-museum tour over the weekend.
Click for More Info
We’re Hiring Summer Students!
Is someone you know looking for work experience this summer? Thanks to Canada Summer Jobs 2025, the museum has two positions available for summer students: Corporate Assistant and Earth Sciences Assistant Curator.
Click Here for More Details
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.
Membership
Is your membership due for renewal, or are you considering becoming a member?
We’ve made it easier than ever to renew or sign up for a museum membership with our brand-new Membership Program!
Why is getting a membership so great?
As a member, you’ll also be supporting our work in preserving and sharing stories like those found in the museum's award-winning local history book, Watershed Moments, and its follow-up, Step Into Wilderness.
Whether you’re renewing or joining for the first time, this new process is designed to save you time and keep you connected. Don’t miss out—visit our membership page to renew or sign up today and continue enjoying all the perks of being part of our museum community!
Follow the Courtenay Museum on 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.
Have you visited the museum recently? We would love to see your photos! Post a pic and tag us with #CourtenayMuseum
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
From the Archives: Photo of the Month
CDM #p315-131 Prize baseball team, Comox Valley, 1912
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
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:
Thank you to the team at ABC Printing & Signs for ongoing fantastic work!
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