Courtenay's Centennial
Throughout this year, the museum newsletter will be providing glimpses into the back story on the City's Incorporation, history and development.
A New Phone System
Courtenay's communication system took a leap forward on May 3, 1941 courtesy of a BC Telephone Company upgrade. "Cranking" the phone to contact the operator became a thing of the past - the operator was signaled simply by lifting the receiver. Once connected with the operator, callers were required to give the new telephone number of who they were calling instead of the name. That meant a new telephone directory and, for Courtenay, a new telephone office on Cliffe Avenue.
Continue Reading
Centennial Exhibition
Join us on Saturday, June 27 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm for the opening of the museum's City of Courtenay Centennial Exhibition which includes historic panels covering Courtenay's last 100 years created by the City of Courtenay Heritage Commission. This is a great chance to celebrate Homecoming Week, to meet and greet and to enjoy light refreshments. We look forward to seeing you!
Upcoming Publication
Watershed Moments - A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District to the 1950s
The manuscript is in, the photos chosen and, thanks to Harbour Publishing, the museum's upcoming hard cover book Watershed Moments-A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District to the 1950s by authors, Christine Dickinson, Deborah Griffiths, Judy Hagen and Catherine Siba, and photo editing by Ernst Vegt will be available in October. Stretching from the early 1800s to World War II, Watershed Moments features over 150 pages of early images and ephemera that provide new glimpses into the region's history.
Road Trip!
Junior Visits Ucluelet Aquarium
The fleshed out juvenile elasmosaur that is usually in the museum's lobby took a road trip to Ucluelet this month along with fossils from the collection.
If you get a chance this summer, visit the Ucluelet Aquarium-it's a great place to get up close and personal with present day marine life, like the spotted rat fish. The Courtenay Museum holds the first cretaceous rat fish fossil found in western North America so we have a lot in common. Thanks to the staff of the aquarium for hosting us. Junior will return to Courtenay by July!
Visit the Aquarium's Website
Gift Shop News
With the weather already feeling like summer, our new children's t-shirts are a real hit. The best sellers glow in the dark! We have two designs that glow: dino skeletons and a velociraptor. Kids also love our fun t-rex and octopus shirts.
Adults haven't been forgotten. If you have visitors who are looking for fabulous t-shirts we stock salmon, octopus, hummingbird or sun mask designs.
All our t-shirts are made from high quality pre-shrunk cotton. They are a fun gift to give or a treat for yourself.
Photo of the Month
CDM #p55-145
May Day Celebration, Courtenay, 1923
You can view more photos like this on our website. Click here to visit our holdings.
It's All There in Black and White
A new water source for the CRA swimming pool made the front page of the Comox District Free Press for May 2, 1956. Readers might be surprised to discover the "old" source.
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 54th 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
A Keepsake for 2015
The Comox Valley Echo and the Courtenay Museum have teamed up to produce a Courtenay Centennial keepsake, a 50 page full colour magazine featuring museum and community images and historic stories. Local authors Ian J.M. Kennedy, Rick James, Judy Hagen and Christine Dickinson along with museum staffers Catherine Siba and Deb Griffiths have produced a keepsake magazine, Courtenay 100 Years of History 1915-2015 as a tribute to the Centennial Year.
Click Here to Learn More
Museum Sponsors
Dogwood
Comox Valley Community Foundation
Judy Hagen
The Robert Hunt Family
Bruce McPhee
Microsoft
Vancouver Island Exploration Group
Daryl and Evelyn Wright - Francis Jewellers Ltd.
Arbutus
The Bickle Family
Comox Valley Echo
Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club
Ed LaFleur
Marjorie Thorpe
John Wilson and Family
Fir
Elizabeth Braithwaite
Des Kennedy
Seedling
Christine Dickinson
Coral Dunn
Dove and Mike Hendren
Peggy Hildebrandt
Ted Lovegrove
Ruth Masters
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D. Mobley
Jim Peacock
April Shopland
Jean & Ian Sibbald
Roberts & Adela Smith
Comox Valley Family History Research Group
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If you're considering donating to a charity, please consider the Courtenay and District Museum. Your support goes towards education programmes, lectures and collection management. We provide a tax receipt to donors.
Please click here to donate
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: