As part of the Courtenay and District Museum’s popular Enlighten Nights Lecture Series, the museum will welcome Author, Editor and Publisher Howard White to present Raincoast Chronicles: Fifth Five.
Lecture: Raincoast Chronicles: Fifth Five
Tuesday, November 5th @ 7:00 pm
Event type: In-person
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, November 5th (6:30 pm Doors Open)
Location: Rotary Gallery: Courtenay and District Museum
Speaker: Howard White
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.
Howard White was raised in a series of camps and settlements on the BC coast and never got over it. He is a writer, editor and publisher who started Raincoast Chronicles and Harbour Publishing in the early 1970s. The recipient of many awards including the Order of BC, the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and the Canadian Historical Association’s Career Award for Regional History, White was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2007.
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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.
This year’s theme, Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future, highlights the significant contributions women have made to the workforce throughout history, and the critical role they continue to play in driving economic innovation and progress that has benefited Canada as a whole.
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Dinosaurs of BC
October 8th, 2024 - February 1st, 2025
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.
Dig into prehistoric British Columbia and get up close and personal with "Buster", the Iron Lizard of the Sustut River, and other dinosaurs that once roamed the province’s highest peaks, densest forests and most remote river basins. Welcome "Buster" and thank you to our colleagues at the RBCM!
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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.
Click Here to See the Design
Save the Date - Elasmosaur’s Birthday
Saturday, November 16th @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Courtenay’s Puntledge River elasmosaur, now BC’s provincial fossil emblem, is turning 80,000,036 this November! You’re invited to the party on Saturday, November 16th from 11:00 am - 2:00. While you’re here celebrating, check out the Dinosaurs of BC exhibit from the Royal BC Museum, now on display! There will be a complimentary cake, and Amy from Magical Faces will be at the party to paint faces for a $5 cash fee.
From the Archives: Photo of the Month
Bess McDonald standing in front of the Port Augusta Hotel, Comox, 1908. Photograph by Nellie Holmes.
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
Gift Shop News
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.
Spotlight on Courtenay Streets
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.
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Click Here for Bonus Photo
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
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.
Membership holders have access to free admission, as well as museum gift shop and lecture discounts. The contest begins on October 24th and ends on October 31st at 4:00 pm, limited to one guess per person. The winner will be contacted on November 1st.
Celebrating Diversity
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.
While Día de los Muertos has its roots in Mexico, the holiday has become increasingly popular in other parts of the world, including Canada, with people celebrating it as a way to remember and honor their own ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.
Click here for the History website about the tradition, or visit another website with more information.
Remembrance Day Fall Cleanup
CDM 972.235.15
St. Andrew's Anglican Church will host their annual fall cemetery cleanup on Saturday, November 9th from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm in preparation for Remembrance Day. The cemetery is located behind the church at the corner of N. Island Highway and Dingwall Road.
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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
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.
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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: