Courtenay & District Museum




  • Lecture: Making the News
  • Our Summer Hours
  • Summer Fun for Kids
  • Capes Escape
  • Elasmosaur in the Running
  • Canada Day Open House
  • Exhibit: Headlines
  • Museum Sponsors
  • Photo of the Month
  • Museum Funding




  • Phone:
    250-334-0686

    Email:
    museum@island.net

    Website:
    www.courtenaymuseum.ca

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





    Monday to Saturday
    10 am to 5 pm

    Sundays
    12 noon to 4 pm





    President
    John Wilson

    Vice President
    Daryl Wright

    Past President
    April Shopland

    Ruth Masters
    Rick Ross
    Jim Haggart
    Ross Dingwall

    Secretary/Treasurer
    Elizabeth Braithwaite

    Member of...

    British Columbia Museums Association

    Canadian Museums
    Association

    Archives Association of
    British Columbia

    Heritage Society of British Columbia




     

    Lecture Series:
    Making the News

    7 pm on Wednesday, June 16th

    Author, newspaper editor, historian and genealogist Dave Obee will discuss two of his favourite pursuits in his "Making the News" lecture – Vancouver Island and BC history as seen through old newspapers.

    Obee, who has more than 35 years experience in journalism, says that "contemporary newspapers give us history on the fly. They are essential to our understanding and appreciation of the past, and are used by professional researchers and amateur historians – and everyone in between – to flesh out the skeletons of history."

    Obee is an accomplished speaker who has given more than 300 talks about genealogical and historical research to various societies and community groups. His presentations combine approachability and humour with decades of experience.

    He is author of the book Making the News, published by the Times Colonist in Victoria, in 2008 to mark the 150th anniversary of the newspaper. He has also compiled seven books for Canadian genealogists, is a columnist for Canada's History (the magazine formerly known as The Beaver), and was one of the founders of the annual Times Colonist book drive, which has raised more than $1 million in support of school libraries and other literacy projects since 1998.

    Admission is $5 for members; $6 for non-members. Advance tickets recommended.


     

    Our Summer Hours


    The Courtenay Museum is now on our summer operating schedule. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm until Labour Day.

    Statutory holidays are exceptions to the rule:

    • Thursday, July 1st we will be open 11 am to 4 pm.
    • Monday, August 2nd (BC Day) we will be closed.


     

    Summer Fun for Kids


    The Courtenay Museum will be offering a variety of fun, educational, hands-on children's programmes this summer!

    Click here for details


     

    Family coming to visit?

    The Capes Escape house still has some bookings available in June and July!

    This vacation rental on park-like acreage sleeps 6 to 8, is priced at $160 per night, plus housecleaning fee and taxes with a three night minimum stay. Fully equipped kitchen, linens, laundry and BBQ. Ready to step into and relax!

    Click here for photos and availability


     

    Elasmosaur in Running for Provincial Fossil


    Don't forget to stop into the museum to sign a "Certificate of Merit" supporting the Comox Valley's very own elasmosaur as the official BC provincial fossil.

    The signed forms will be submitted to the BC Paleontology Association where a panel will decide on a winner in August.


     

    Canada Day Open House


    On Canada day, drop by the Courtenay Museum after the parade and help celebrate our country's birthday.

    There will be free admission, balloons and door prize draws between 11 am and 4 pm.

    Special activities will include a cupcake walk from 1 to 3 pm.

    This is a great chance to explore history with the new temporary exhibit "Headlines" featuring Comox Valley newspaper highlights from the twentieth century. Or go back 80 million years in time as you view the fabulous fossils in the palaeontology collection.


     

    Exhibit: Headlines
    Late June to September 18


    Edward Prince of Wales with Harry Beadnell in Courtenay park, 1919
    CDM 2004. 42.3

    The summer exhibition "Headlines" explores some news making events as seen through newspapers in the Comox Valley during the twentieth century.

    Through two world wars, the depression, the introduction of infrastructure and development of industry and culture, we see history being made. Ads, editorials and unique stories about extraordinary individuals provide a glimpse into the changing character of our community.


     

    Museum Sponsors

    Dogwood
    Judy and Stan Hagen
    Comox Valley Community Foundation
    Daryl and Evelyn Wright-Francis Jeweller's Ltd.
    The Rotary Club of Courtenay Foundation
    The Robert Hunt Family
    Don and Marie Gordon
    M. Jean McMullan Estate

    Arbutus
    Comox Valley Echo
    Marjorie Thorpe
    The Bickle Family
    Lorna Gunn
    John Wilson and Family
    Judy Gurr
    Sue and Ian Leakey
    Ed LaFleur

    Fir
    Elizabeth Braithwaite
    Jean Hawthorne

    Seedling
    Dove and Mike Hendren
    Ruth Masters
    John and Joan Wilson
    George E. Sprogis
    Gordon Schnare
    Mary Mobley


     

    Photo of the Month


    CDM #p55-478
    Agricultural Fair display, Courtenay, c. 1900

    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, Valley Charitable Bingo Society, and from museum generated revenues and donations.

    Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum:


     

    The City of Courtenay

    NSERC

    BC Arts Councils

    BC Hydro

    Regional District Comox-Strathcona