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A Visit from BC Premier, David Eby
On July 23rd, Premier David Eby visited the Courtenay and District Museum to celebrate the October 2023 legislation of the Puntledge River elasmosaur as BC’s provincial fossil emblem. Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard led the legislation efforts over the past several years and was Master of Ceremony for the museum event.
A big thank you to all who attended and honoured this occasion to celebrate British Columbia’s unique palaeontological history, and to the Courtenay and District Museum team - especially this year’s awesome summer students - for making this such an enjoyable event.
Saturday Kids’ Crafts!
From now until August 24th, the museum will be hosting a Summer Kids’ Craft event every Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Admission will be by donation.
Join our Kids’ Craft Coordinator, Hannah, as she guides youth and parents through the steps to make new weekly creations you can take home. The museum will provide all the materials and tools needed.
Summer Fossil Tours
Now that we’re halfway through summer, don’t miss the chance to book your spot on a world famous fossil tour guided by our Natural History Curator, Pat Trask. Tours run from now until the fall, with public tours for families and school programming available for classes and youth groups. These tour options are the perfect outing for all ages, newcomers and returning enthusiasts. And who knows, you just might make a new discovery!
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For more information and to book your tour, please call (250) 334 - 0686 ext. 2 or send an email to info@courtenaymuseum.ca.
Spotlight on Courtenay Streets
Shining a light on Johnston Avenue for this newsletter with a bit about John “Scoop” Johnston (1852-1921) as well as activities on the street bearing his name.
Looks like local historian Dorothy Isabelle Stubbs (1905-2003) was hard pressed to find much about the man for this article that appeared in the April 8th, 1970 edition of the Comox District Free Press.
The Scoop Johnston House was honoured with a City of Courtenay Heritage Commemoration in 2003. Click Here to learn more.
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Click Here for Bonus Photograph
Photo of the Month
CDM #p55-301 First Agricultural Exhibition in Comox Valley, 1893
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Comox Valley Fall Fair
The Comox Valley Exhibition is celebrating their 150th anniversary August 23rd to 25th. By coincidence, a brief history of the fair written by Tom Menzies was recently transcribed in the archives. Enjoy!
"It was on one of those unsettled September days in the year 1893 that the Comox Valley Agricultural and Industrial Association held its first fair. True there had been previous exhibitions around 1874, held in the hall which stood for a few years on Mission Hill but this was the first event of the new Association."
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7th annual Romeo St. Jacques Memorial Car Show
Check out some roadworthy antiques at this year’s Hot August Nights Classic Car Show & Cruise. Over 500 classic American cars will be lining the fairways of the beautiful Park at Crown Isle on August 10th.
Click Here for Details
75th Anniversary Free Swim for Courtenay’s Outdoor Pool
The Courtenay & District Memorial Outdoor Pool officially opened on July 1st, 1949. The City of Courtenay is celebrating by offering free drop-in public swimming for the entire 2024 summer pool season.
Click Here for Details
Mailing It In
If you look closely at the museum’s exterior, you might notice a difference in brick colour that reveals which section was a later addition. This month marks the 70th anniversary since the Courtenay Post Office reopened following the expansion and upgrade.
The added square footage allowed for the Customs Office to move in from the Union Bay Post Office to Courtenay’s bustling downtown. Other tenants included the National Unemployment Insurance office and V.L.A. office, situated on the second floor.
Your Membership and Donations Make A Difference
Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 63rd 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
Click Here to Make a Donation
New Non-Profit Discount
Are you or someone you know part of a non-profit that’s looking for venue space? We’re happy to announce that the Courtenay Museum is now offering special discounted rates for non-profit groups renting out our Rotary Gallery or Dogwood Gallery spaces.
Please email info@courtenaymuseum.ca or call (250) 334 - 0686 ext. 2 for more details.
Check out our Instagram!
The museum is scheduling lectures and events throughout the year, so follow us on Instagram and stay up to date on all events and news.
Also, if you have experienced one of our weekly events or our fossil tours feel free to post a pic and tag us with #CourtenayandDistrictMuseum, we would love to see your posts!
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We Want Your Feedback
If you’ve been to the museum recently, we’re interested in your feedback. Fill out our short survey to explore what people enjoy and where they’re visiting from.
Click here to take the survey
Museum Funding
In 1961, founders of the Courtenay and District Historical Society began with a regional mandate to create the Courtenay and District Museum (CDM) to collect, preserve and interpret natural and cultural heritage of the Comox Valley. Core values encompass integrity, inclusiveness, community service, rigorous research, objective interpretation and public outreach.
Proud sponsors of the Courtenay & District Museum:
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