Woodlot Tour October 1st
Forester and Author, Harold Macy is providing valley residents with an opportunity to tour his Headquarters Creek Woodlot starting at 10 am on Saturday, October 1st. The two-hour tour is offered free of charge and will cover topics such as non-timber forest products and alternative logging methods. Participants will need to provide their own transportation to Merville but once there the walking is on good roadways. If it's a nice day visitors might want to bring a lunch. Dogs are welcome. Directions will be supplied. Reserve your space by calling the museum at 250-334-0686.
Harold has lived in Merville for more than thirty years. He has worked for the BC Forest Service Research Branch, been a silviculture contractor and for many years was the forester at the UBC Oyster River Research Farm where he wrote and delivered courses on small scale forestry and agroforestry.
Home Child Quilt
We are pleased to be exhibiting the British Home Child Canada Memorial Quilt at the museum from September 30th to October 8th.
The quilt loan has been coordinated by Courtenay Little Theatre's Alana Gowdy to coincide with the theatre company's presentation of Homechild by Joan MacLeod.
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It's All There in Black and White
Many of the people "back home" during World War II wanted to do something to help the war effort, the women were no exception. In this August 20, 1942 Comox District Free Press article the Red Cross is issuing an emergency call out to the knitters of B.C.
Read this newspaper article from our archives
A Busy Summer at Capes
It has been a very busy and successful summer season at the Capes Escape. This is our third summer season and we would like to thank all the people who have helped, donated or supported the restoration and maintenance of the Capes. A big thank you to all of the people listed below and to all of the volunteers who have helped with this effort.
John and Joan Wilson
Lorna Gunn
The Bickle Family
Judy and Bill Atkinson
Marie and Don Gordon
Judy Hagen
Pat Trask
Deborah Griffiths
Catherine Siba
Marilyn Timms
Mc Conochie's
Christine and David Dickinson
Cyril Hume
Marc Crane
Jim Peacock
Betty Braithwaite
Daniel Lehmann
Wayne Wilson
Kelowna Heritage Museums
John Edgett
Comox Valley Foundation
Daryl Wright
City of Courtenay
For further information and availability please click here
Birthday Celebration Set to Commemorate Society's 50th Anniversary
On Saturday October 22nd from, 2:00-4:00 Judy Hagen, long time member and Past President of the Courtenay and District Museum Society, will be celebrating her 70th birthday at the Courtenay Museum as a tribute to the Society's 50th Anniversary and as a fundraiser for the museum's endowment fund held by the Comox Valley Community Foundation. Everyone is invited to enjoy cake, music and celebration. Donations to the endowment fund are welcome and the museum can provide a tax receipt for donations. Please join us. Thank you Judy!
Science and Nature Discovery Programme
This exciting, hands-on programme is geared for home-learners, ages 5-12. All students are provided with the same course material and information. Children are encouraged to draw and label scientific diagrams and to read and write at their own personal levels.
The group-learning atmosphere helps students to build confidence in their social and public speaking skills, while the small class size allows the instructor to spend time assisting each student with their own particular needs. Each class comprises interactive discussions and slideshows, hands-on activities and experiments, group activities, scientific diagrams and project creation!
Classes run weekly from September to May and registration is ongoing.
Click here for info
Before Television
What Happens When We Turn off the Remote
Voluntary war efforts during World War II included handcrafting items for men and women on active service. Crafters might have worked on their own or as part of regional or national organizations.
Check out the introductory text from this 1940 Monarch Knitting Company book titled Hand Knit Gifts for Him:
"Hand Knit Military Garments Hand-Picked for Him!
Every one of these garments is practical. Each has been chosen for this book from a host of suggestions, and the final selection based on the actual needs of soldier, sailor or aviator. No matter which garment you choose, it will be appreciated by him, not only as an expression of your good wishes, but because of the personal comfort it will promote."
Anniversary Give Away
The August winners of The Comox Valley book were Theresa Ackert-Smith and Robin Blackburn.
One of the ways we are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Courtenay and District Historical Society is with a monthly prize draw. All current, paid-up members and Facebook fans are automatically entered to win a complimentary copy of the coffee table book The Comox Valley by Paula Wild. Winners will be notified.
Rotary Room Rental
The Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre is an active centre for the community's exploration of cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley.
One of the ways in which you can help build our role in the community and support the museum, is through the rental of space in the museum for events and receptions in the museum, located centrally in the historic post office building in downtown Courtenay.
We have just the right space for you for activities and private functions and welcome the opportunity to help your business or group run a successful event.
Museum Gift Shop
If you're starting to think about the holidays, we have new stock in the museum gift shop. Blankets from Kanata, decorative boxes from Watercolour Designs, and books, books, books! Our small fossil dig kits make excellent stocking stuffers. Don't forget that museum members receive a 15% discount on most items in the gift shop. Memberships can be purchased at reception. Come in for a visit soon!
Donations
Please consider supporting the Courtenay and District Museum through a charitable donation. Click on the link below to support donations to us directly or through the Comox Valley Community Foundation.
Click here to Donate Now
Museum Sponsors
Dogwood
Judy and Stan Hagen
Comox Valley Community Foundation
Daryl and Evelyn Wright-Francis Jeweller's Ltd.
The Rotary Club of Courtenay Foundation
The Robert Hunt Family
Don and Marie Gordon
M. Jean McMullan Estate
Bruce McPhee
Arbutus
Comox Valley Echo
Marjorie Thorpe
The Bickle Family
Lorna Gunn
John Wilson and Family
Judy Gurr
Sue and Ian Leakey
Ed LaFleur
Ron Moffat
Paula Moffat
Fir
Elizabeth Braithwaite
Jean Hawthorne
Seedling
Dove and Mike Hendren
Ruth Masters
John and Joan Wilson
George E. Sprogis
Gordon Schnare
Mary Mobley
D. Mobley
M.E. McKerrow
Photo of the Month
CDM #990.29.1
Native Sons Hall, Courtenay, 1928
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
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: