Courtenay & District Museum




  • Drumroll, please...
  • Laughing Oyster Bookshop Book Club Night
  • 2016 Calendar Here
  • Courtenay's Centennial
  • Elasmosaur Birthday & Christmas Party
  • Your Membership Makes A Difference
  • Photo of the Month
  • It's All There in Black and White
  • This Space for Rent
  • Museum Sponsors
  • 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 - 5pm

    Sunday & Monday:
    Closed





    President
    John Wilson

    Vice President
    Daryl Wright

    Past President
    April Shopland

    Rick Ross
    Jim Haggart
    Ross Dingwall
    Harry Squire
    Mary Everson

    Secretary/Treasurer
    Elizabeth Braithwaite

    Member of...

    British Columbia Museums Association

    Canadian Museums
    Association

    Archives Association of
    British Columbia

    Heritage Society of British Columbia





    Comox Museum

    Cumberland Museum

    Comox Air Force Museum

    Filberg Heritage Lodge




     


    Drumroll, please...

    The launch party for the museum book Watershed Moments: A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District is set for Saturday, October 24th.

    Please join us for an illustrated talk beginning at 1 pm with refreshments and book signing to follow.

    Click here for more details


     


    Laughing Oyster Bookshop Book Club Night
    6:30 pm, Thursday, November 5

    Submitted by the Laughing Oyster Bookshop

    Laughing Oyster's autumn Book Club Night has become a tradition for staff, for members of book clubs and for book lovers at large. This year we are pleased to be partnering with the Courtenay and District Museum - hosting the evening in their Rotary Gallery.

    Each year "The Pearls" (our knowledgeable and helpful staff members) select a few favourites from the new books arriving daily. Book lovers seeking some new ideas for reading or clubs wanting to expand their lists will enjoy a stimulating evening over coffee and dessert.

    Tickets are $15 and are available at the Laughing Oyster Bookshop, 286 Fifth Street, 250 334 2511. Book reviews begin at 7 pm, dessert offered at 6:30. We look forward to welcoming you at the Courtenay and District Museum.


     


    2016 Calendar Here

    The 2016 Comox Valley calendar is now available.

    Members of the Comox Valley Photographic Society have donated time and talent to create this work and 100% of the profits from its sale go to the Comox Valley Food Bank to assist individuals and families who need a helping hand.

    Be sure to drop in to our gift shop and purchase your copy of the 2016 calendar for $20 – it's a beautiful way to support a worthy cause.


     


    Courtenay's Centennial

    Throughout this year, the museum newsletter will be providing glimpses into the back story on the City's Incorporation, history and development.

    Bumpy sidewalks

    When did Courtenay first adopt its "cobblestone" sidewalks?

    According to the Comox District Free Press of March 12, 1980, the first section went in along the east side of Cliffe Avenue near the 5th Street intersection that spring. (Psst. For long-timers that's in front of the demolished Bank of Commerce building).

    City works chief Stan Janzen went on to say that "similar sidewalks are being planned for Fifth St. as part of a proposed downtown refurbishment scheme. Installing the blocks at the corner, he said, gave merchants and residents a chance to see what they look like. So far, he said, there haven't been any negative comments.

    The new sidewalks also gave city works staff the chance to experiment with the technique involved before having to tackle the major project of replacing the Fifth St. sidewalks."


     


    Elasmosaur Birthday & Christmas Party

    Kick off the season with a celebration combo!

    On Saturday, November 14th from 11 am - 4 pm, the museum is inviting the community to drop by for a visit and have some fun.

    Click here for more details


     

    Your Membership Makes A Difference

    Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 54th 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


     


    Photo of the Month

    CDM #977.14.9
    Interior of early Courtenay P.O., 1921

    You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.


     


    It's All There in Black and White

    The year was 1962. "Monster Mash" was a hit song on the radio and locals celebrated Halloween by introducing soap to glass. Check out this article from the November 7th edition of the Comox District Free Press to see what else the police had to contend with.

    Read this newspaper article from our archives

    With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.


     

    This Space for Rent

    Did you know that the museum has two spaces available to rent for public gatherings?

    The spacious first floor Rotary Gallery has seen many a lecture, presentation and party.

    There is also a space on the second floor known as the Dogwood Gallery. This area can accommodate approximately 25 people in theatre style seating or comfortably seat 10 around the board room table. Wifi is available.

    Rental of the Dogwood or Rotary Galleries is on a first come/first served basis.

    For more information on rental fees and requirements please give us a call at 250-334-0686 ext 5.


     

    Museum Sponsors

    Dogwood
    Comox Valley Community Foundation
    Judy Hagen
    The Robert Hunt Family
    Bruce McPhee
    Microsoft
    Vancouver Island Exploration Group
    Daryl and Evelyn Wright - Francis Jewellers Ltd.

    Arbutus
    The Bickle Family
    Comox Valley Echo
    Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club
    Ed LaFleur
    Marjorie Thorpe
    John Wilson and Family

    Fir
    Elizabeth Braithwaite
    Des Kennedy

    Seedling

    Christine Dickinson
    Coral Dunn
    Dove and Mike Hendren
    Peggy Hildebrandt
    Ted Lovegrove
    Ruth Masters

    D. Mobley
    Jim Peacock
    April Shopland
    Jean & Ian Sibbald
    Roberts & Adela Smith
    Comox Valley Family History Research Group

    If you're considering donating to a charity, please consider the Courtenay and District Museum. Your support goes towards education programmes, lectures and collection management. We provide a tax receipt to donors.

    Please click here to donate


     

    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:

    The City of Courtenay

    BC Arts Councils

    Regional District Comox-Strathcona