Latest News
Moonlight and Magic 2024
The museum will be open from 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm for Courtenay’s 2024 Moonlight and Magic event on Friday, November 15th. With this year’s theme of Electric Creatures, you may spot our famous fossil out walking the streets!
New School Program: Fossil A+ Tours
The Courtenay Museum is excited to offer a new and educational tour of Dinosaurs of BC, a travelling exhibit from the Royal BC Museum. This program is perfect for school groups and will spark curiosity about the creatures that lived in ancient British Columbia’s land and sea.
Elasmosaur’s BC Provincial Symbol Revealed
The new design and image of the elasmosaur, BC’s provincial fossil emblem, has been added to the provincial symbols list. Northwest Coast Artist, Andy Everson, was selected to design and create the emblem artwork.
Lest We Forget
From now until November 12th, a Remembrance Day exhibit will be displayed in the second level gallery. It includes Ruth Masters’ Lest We Forget album, along with the medals of Howard Slessor and various wartime publications.
Courtenay Streets: Bonus Photos 11
Joseph McPhee, c. 1945/46. Photographed by Robert Filberg. That’s Lewis Park and the Courtenay Hotel in the background.
Courtenay Streets: McPhee Avenue
This month’s article is a tribute to the man known as the father of Courtenay, Joseph McPhee, the namesake of McPhee Avenue. Local historian Dorothy Isabelle Stubbs (1905-2003) wrote columns for different newspapers over the years including this one from the May 6th, 1970 edition of the Comox District Free Press.
Dinosaurs of BC
Dinosaurs of BC, an exciting exhibit revealing some of the ancient animals of British Columbia was produced by the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), and is now on display at the Courtenay and District Museum on the second level gallery until February 1st, 2025.
Gift Shop News for October 2024
The museum gift shop’s popular sticker books are back, with some new additions! The 8 different variations are all $19.50 plus tax, each filled with between 500 and 900 stickers depending on individual sticker sizes. Exit through the gift shop and find out for yourself why they’re selling so fast.
Celebrating Diversity – Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a holiday that is primarily celebrated in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. It's a tradition that combines Indigenous and Spanish Catholic customs and is typically observed on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday is all about honoring deceased loved ones and is often marked by elaborate altars, colorful decorations, and festive gatherings.
Candy Jar Contest
Visit the museum and get a head start on your October candy haul with the museum’s Candy Jar guessing game. If your estimate is the closest to the actual number, you’ll win the entire jar of candy and a 1-year museum membership.
Women’s History Month
In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history.
Courtenay Streets: Bonus Photo 10
Leighton’s shop, c. 1912. Located in Courtenay’s first city centre near the intersection of the current Old Island Highway and Comox Road. George Brunskill Leighton (1865-1935) is 4th from left.
Courtenay Streets: Leighton Avenue
This month’s newsletter highlights Leighton Avenue with an article written by local historian Dorothy Isabelle Stubbs (1905-2003), author of several different columns for newspapers over the years including "Spotlight on Courtenay Streets" for Comox District Free Press in 1970. This article appeared in the April 22nd edition.