Latest News
November 2018 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: A tranquil view of the Courtenay River, ca. 1900. CDM 972.235.9. Pages 22-23. Photo caption: "The Courtenay River, one of the shortest navigable rivers in Canada, runs through today's downtown Courtenay. The Puntledge, Browns and Tsolum Rivers empty into it. Settlers' homes and farms stretched along the shorelines and on to the rivers' upper and lower prairies." Page 23.
Periodical Wisdom: November 2018
Women's magazines and periodicals from the past offer some great advice on things like how to economize in the home or care for your baby's teeth. This month's sampling is from Farm & Home, The Magazine of rural British Columbia published November 15, 1930. This particular article provides some tips for the gardener - you'd get all that and more for the grand price of 5 cents per issue back in the day.
November 2018 Gift Shop News
Members Only Sale Dust off your debit cards! It's almost time for the annual Museum Members Only Christmas Sale. From December 1 to December 22, members receive a 25% discount on most items in the store. This offer does not apply to items already marked down or on consignment. Your valid membership card must be shown at the time of purchase. Not a member? Don't despair! Purchase a membership and you immediately qualify for the special holiday period discount.
It’s All There in Black and White: Grey Cup in the Comox Valley
Grey Cup coming up! Courtenay entered a float in the 1963 Vancouver Grey Cup parade. Our float was described as the biggest in the procession and was truly a community effort to produce. All in the name of showing support for the BC Lions who held training camps here (on and off) starting in 1961. Check out this article from the Comox District Free Press of November 27, 1963. Bonus! Click here Click here to see photos including one of the Comox Valley float. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
National Philanthropy Day
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. 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. Your donations play a critical role in making special projects and future growth possible. November 15, is National Philanthropy Day. This month, the CDM sends out appreciation to the Comox Valley Community Foundation, which has helped to grow donors’ generous contributions to the museum’s endowment fund since 1996. If [...]
Remembrance Day Reminder
A look back through an excerpt from The Courtenaian, Journal of the Courtenay Public Schools, Vancouver Island, B.C. Vol. 1. No. 2. November, 1914 "On Monday, Nov. 2nd, the pupils of Divisions I and II went up to the station to say good-bye and give three cheers to the men who are going to the front. The platform was well crowded with people, and we had to wait quite a while before the train started. As the train pulled out we gave three hearty cheers to the Courtenay men who are answering the call of duty."
Bells of Peace
On November 11, at the going down of the sun, communities across Canada will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War with the ringing of 100 bells. When you hear the bells toll, take a moment to pause and remember all those who served and sacrificed. Bells of Peace was developed by The Royal Canadian Legion in partnership with the Government of Canada. To find out more about local activities click here.
Elasmosaur B-Day Party
You are invited to the museum to celebrate the Elasmosaur's 80,000,030th birthday on Saturday, November 17th from 11am to 2pm. There will be cake, crafts, door prizes, balloons, face painting, photo opportunities and games. Click Here for Details
Vote Elasmosaur Video!
Our friends at Fox&Bee Studio have teamed up with us to get the word out about our elasmosaur being in the running for British Columbia's official fossil. They've done an amazing job capturing our cuddly version of the elasmosaur in locations throughout the Comox Valley. Do you recognize them all? Here's the link to vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BC_Provincial_Fossil Voting closes on November 23rd, so don't miss your chance!
Periodical Wisdom: October 2018
We've scoured the archives for women's magazines and periodicals to share some advice from the good old days. This month's feature provides some unusual recipes to help combat the ever increasing cost of living. That peanut butter sausage recipe that just became your family's new favourite? You can thank The Christmas People's Home Journal of 1917. As always, we've sourced the info from our stash of women's magazines and periodicals in the archives. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image
October 2018 Gift Shop News
We've got a new greeter at our door...an 8 foot tall T-Rex! Drop by to say "hello." It's autumn sale time in the shop with markdowns on some of our journals, canvas bags, gnomes, glow in the dark children's t-shirts (size 2), Joseph Salmon bowls and more. Sounds like an opportunity for early Christmas shopping at an amazing price!
It’s All There in Black and White: Comox Kelp Processing Plant
Did you know that Comox used to boast a kelp processing "plant"? Check out this article from the Comox District Free Press of October 3, 1968. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
October 2018 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: Comox Landing, ca. 1910, with the HMS Egeria and the HMS Algerine visible in the harbour. Walter Gage photograph. Photo: CDM 979.3.3. Pages 48-49. Photo caption: "Before, and after, construction of the Comox Wharf in 1874, Comox was the main transportation link to points north and south. Comox Landing, with its gentle slope sheltered by Goose Spit and expansive view of the Beaufort Range and Baynes Sound, made it a perfect gathering place." Page 53.