Courtenay & District Museum




The Courtenay and District Museum welcomes and invites all visitors to enjoy memorable experiences and to discover the Comox Valley’s natural and cultural history.





National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Lecture: It's a Maritime War
Gift Shop News
Reminder – Models & Miniatures
Fall Fossil Tours
Spotlight on Courtenay Streets
School Days
Your Membership and Donations Make A Difference
Non-Profit Discount
Check out our Instagram!
We Want Your Feedback
Museum Funding






Phone:
250-334-0686

Email:
info@courtenaymuseum.ca

Website:
www.courtenaymuseum.ca

Mailing Address:
207 Fourth Street,
Courtenay BC,
V9N 1G7





Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am to 4:00 pm





President
John Wilson

Vice President
Daryl Wright

Past President
April Shopland

Rick Ross
Jim Haggart
Ross Dingwall
Julie Fortin
Christine Dickinson

Member of...

British Columbia Museums Association

Canadian Museums
Association

Archives Association of
British Columbia

British Columbia Historical Federation





Comox Museum

Cumberland Museum

Comox Air Force Museum

Filberg Heritage Lodge

I-Hos Gallery

HMCS ALBERNI Museum and Memorial

K'ómoks First Nation

Strathcona Wilderness Institute

Project Watershed

Sid Williams Theatre

Comox Valley Art Gallery

Comox Valley Arts

Comox Valley Exhibition




We respectfully acknowledge that the museum provides services within the traditional territory of K'ómoks First Nation.

We respect the diversity of cultures, stories and experiences that form the richness of our regional heritage.




 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation


On September 30th each year, Canada commemorates the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools throughout Canada. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.

Click here for more information from Canadian Heritage, and click here to find out more about Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024.


 



Lecture: It's a Maritime War
Tuesday, September 24th @ 7:00 pm


Event type: In-person
Time and Date: 7pm, Tuesday, September 24 (6:30pm Doors Open)
Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Author, Historian: Catherine Gilbert
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public. Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 2.

During World War II, the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force each constructed their own boats and ships to employ in service to national defense and the war effort. As well, many smaller vessels, including boats and commercial vessels were commandeered for the war effort and patrolling the west coast.

Click for More Details


 

Gift Shop News


The museum is proud to announce brand new water bottles hitting the gift shop shelves to commemorate the elasmosaur’s official designation as the provincial fossil of BC. And due to the popularity of the elasmosaur t-shirts, the gift shop has expanded the elasmosaur shirts to be available in plum and sage for visitors to show pride for this famous fossil.

The museum teamed up with our long-time collaborators at Hitec Screen Printing to locally print these fabulous bottles and shirts, now available in black, heather grey, sage and plum in adult sizes for $32.99 while supplies last.


 

Reminder – Models & Miniatures
Now until Saturday, September 28th


Model of the Courtenay Hotel by Dave McKay, 2004

Time flies! The museum’s in-house summer exhibit Models & Miniatures will be taken off display at the end of September. The last day to see it for yourself will be Saturday, September 28th, so be sure to come by and see the museum’s collection of things both big and small.


 

Fall Fossil Tours


Make the most of the fall season and book your spot on a world famous fossil tour guided by our Natural History Curator, Pat Trask. Our tours will continue throughout the fall, with school programming available for classes and youth groups. These tour options are the perfect outing for all ages of newcomers and returning enthusiasts.

Click for More Details

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

This month Kilpatrick Avenue is in the limelight with tales of early civic politics, rivalries and good works all wrapped up in an article from the Comox District Free Press of April 15th, 1970.


Continue Reading

Click Here for Bonus Image


 

School Days


CDM 2012.78.24

As many children and young adults make their return to class this September, the museum would like to shine a light on this photo of students socializing outside the front steps of Courtenay High School in 1943. Photographer: Rod McIntyre.


 

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


 

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!

Visit our Instagram

#CourtenayandDistrictMuseum
#ComoxValley
#DowntownCourtenay
#CourtenayMuseum
#FossilTours


 

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:

The City of Courtenay

BC Arts Councils

Regional District Comox-Strathcona

British Columbia Gaming Commision

United Way British Columbia

Vancouver Foundation