The Courtenay and District Historical Society will host its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 10th beginning at 6:30 pm in the museum’s Rotary Gallery.
Fifty three years ago, in 1961, founders of the Courtenay and District Historical Society began the organization with a regional mandate to create the Courtenay and District Museum (CDM) in order to collect, preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. Core values of the museum encompass integrity, inclusiveness, community service, rigorous research, objective interpretation and public outreach.
Up to 1987, a diverse group of volunteers managed the governance and everyday operation of the museum. Archaeologist Katherine Capes was a founder, along with Ben Hughes, Editor of the Comox Argus, and First Nations leaders Chief Andy Frank and Robert Clifton, and many others from the community. The Board has always included an elected member of the K’ómoks First Nation.
Today, the museum has a full and part time staff of seven. Each summer the museum hires students from Young Canada Works, Service Canada and K’ómoks First Nation. Participation from high school work experience students is also an important part of the museum’s focus on education and mentoring. Volunteers continue to play a vital role and several volunteers work in specific curatorial areas on a weekly basis.
Congratulations and thank you to the board members, society members, staff, volunteers and visitors who continue to make the museum a vital heritage resource.
