Lecture: Aloha Wanderwell
The Border-Smashing, Record-Setting Life of the World's Youngest Explorer
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Randolph Eustace-Walden
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5.
By the age of 25, Aloha Wanderwell had become a pilot, a film star, an ambassador for world peace, and the centrepiece of one of the biggest unsolved murder mysteries in California history. Her story defied belief, but it was true. Every bit of it. Except for her name. The American Aloha Wanderwell was, in reality, the Canadian Idris Hall.
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Spring Fling and Easter Things
Excitement is building for the Spring Fling and Easter Things event held here at the museum on Saturday, April 1 from 11 am to 2 pm.
Please join us for a petting zoo courtesy of the Shamrock Gumboots 4H Club as well as games, crafts, mascot visits and more.
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Watershed Moments
Here now is an image and quote from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Enjoy!
Photo credit: Races, fair days and parades all passed through the original city centre near the Courtenay Hotel. CDM P55-230a. Page 59.
Photo caption: "Courtenay's town centre on the east side of the river began with people like William Lewis, who saw the proximity of Green's Slough and the navigable head of Courtenay River as being advantageous to business. Lewis bought this central plot of land in1881 from Charles Green." Page 63.
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Gift Shop News
This March is "Silver Sale" month at the museum gift shop. We have a limited amount of silver plated and pewter items discounted a whopping 50% off the original ticketed price. These items are perfect for a wedding or anniversary, or a very "west coast" gift for visitors from aboard.
Items available at time of publication include: salmon or frog design servers, cheese knife, frog design bowl, cake server, napkin rings, bottle stoppers, and jewellery boxes.
As the saying goes "hurry in while supplies last!"
Photo of the Month
CDM #989.69.42
Riverside Hotel, Courtenay, c. 1912
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Education Programmes
You might have heard that the museum is popular with students interested in our fossil programmes. After all, almost 7 000 pupils from near and far took part in palaeontology classes during the 2015/2016 school year. But did you know that we offer everything from Early Settlement to Courtenay Riverway Walks?
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Lecture: The Promise of Paradise, Utopian Communities in British Columbia
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Andrew Scott
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5.
From Doukhobor farmers to Finnish coal miners, Quakers and hippies, many groups have struggled to build idealistic colonies in BC's inspiring landscape. While most discovered hardship, disillusionment and failure, new groups sprang up-and continue to spring up-to take their place.
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It's All There in Black and White
A rather unusual occurrence at Comox Wharf from the March 21, 1935 edition of the Comox District Free Press.
Read this newspaper article from our archives
With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Your Membership Makes A Difference
Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 56th 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.
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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: