Courtenay & District Museum




  • 50 Years Strong
  • Anniversary Give Away
  • Home School Programme Success
  • A Word to the Wise
  • It's All There in Black and White
  • Capes Escape
  • 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





    Tuesday to Saturday
    10am to 5pm

    Sunday & Monday
    Closed





    President
    John Wilson

    Vice President
    Daryl Wright

    Past President
    April Shopland

    Rick Ross
    Jim Haggart
    Ross Dingwall
    Harry Squire

    Secretary/Treasurer
    Elizabeth Braithwaite

    Member of...

    British Columbia Museums Association

    Canadian Museums
    Association

    Archives Association of
    British Columbia

    Heritage Society of British Columbia




     

    50 Years Strong


    CDM 980.63.33

    2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Courtenay and District Historical Society.

    The group was officially registered as a non-profit society in 1961 although meetings of interested individuals started in October of 1953.

    The mandate, to preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley, has led to a variety of display locations over the years.

    From an exhibit case in the Court House, to an extension of the Tourist Bureau, to the upper floor of the Native Sons Hall to, finally, the renovated post office building in downtown Courtenay.

    It’s quite astonishing to realize what can grow from the hard work and dedication of community volunteers.

    We will be providing more exciting information about the history of the society throughout this anniversary year.


     

    Anniversary Give Away


    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Courtenay and District Historical Society one copy of the book The Comox Valley will be given away to one lucky member each month.

    Names of current, paid up members of the society will be entered and one will be chosen at random on the last Friday of each month. The winner will be notified.

    The Comox Valley, by Paula Wild, is a handsome, hard cover, coffee table book that provides an intimate portrait of an incredibly beautiful and special place.


     

    Home School Programme Success


    A moveable Solar System model, created by a student in the Science and Nature Discovery Program

    January 2010 marked the launch of the Science and Nature Discovery Programme here at the Museum. Designed exclusively for home-learners and comprised mostly of hands-on activities, this programme has been a huge success! One class per week was originally offered and interest was so great that three more classes were needed to be added to accommodate all of the students.

    Continue reading this article


     

    A Word to the Wise

    Welcome to the second installment in the series to increase our vocabulary by learning an Island Comox word.

    The word for this issue is courtesy of Sliammon Life, Sliammon Lands page 167 by Dorothy Kennedy and Randy Bouchard, 1983.

    "Kwániwsam 'resting place' – "Quinsam," the name of the area where a Lekwiltok Indian Reserve was established about 3 kilometres southwest of Campbell River town, is an anglicization of the original Island Comox name for this place. Kwániwsam was formerly an important site for the Island Comox people, being the place where the special mask known as xwáyxway is said to have dropped down from the sky."


     

    It's All There in Black and White


    No this isn't a tale about a visually impaired farm animal...it's more of a 100 year old Crime Stoppers story from The Islander newspaper, January 28, 1911.

    Read this newspaper article from our archives


     

    A Lot Happening in 2011

    Things are looking good at the Capes Escape vacation rental house. We are beginning to take bookings for 2011. We have return visitors coming in for the Vancouver Island Music Festival this year. They are even staying a bit longer to have a better look at the Comox Valley.

    Also, 2011 seems to be shaping up to be a year of weddings! We have several groups of proud parents staying at Capes Escape for their sons’ or daughters’ nuptials. Wishing them success with their planning and beautiful weather for the weddings.

    Click here for photos and availability


     

    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 #989.69.74
    Strand Café, Courtenay, late 1920's

    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