Welcome to the new website! Please be patient as we get things working just right...
From Our Gift Shop
We have a good selection of beautifully crafted maps, engaging calendars, and informative articles available in our Gift Shop. Each item is a glimpse into the rich history of the Cowichan Valley, perfect for collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Shop with us and take home a piece of our heritage!
For more information on products within the Gift Shop, please get in touch with us at info@cvmuseum.ca
What's Inside the museum?
A snippet of what you'll find in The General Store
A Re-Creation of Alderlea General Store
This re-creation of a General Store boasts a spectacular collection of merchandise used by pioneers – everything from buttons to bear traps. A general store during pioneer times was the lifeblood of the community, not only offering impossible-to-find products, but also services such as a post office, telephone centre, and even a dentist. Our supportive community has donated hundreds of fascinating objects for this exhibit, and it’s well worth a visit.
What's at the Archives?
Memorable Finds - From Our Archive
Discover a treasure trove of digital images from our extensive archive collection. We also have a large collection of newspapers, documents, and memoirs. Each item is a glimpse into the rich history of the Cowichan Valley, perfect for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
For more information please get in touch with us at archives@cvmuseum.ca
TOURS
Museum Tours
Guided or Self-Guided Museum Tours
Join us for a guided tour of the museum, or you can be the guide! Complete a scavenger hunt to find museum artifacts, photos, and information in each gallery. Clipboards and scavenger hunt provided.
- K-12 60 minutes (or your choice)
- $60 per class
- Available: September 15 – December 15; January 15 – June 15 Monday to Wednesday, morning or afternoon sessions
For more information please get in touch with us at info@cvmuseum.ca
Duncan's Chinatown Tour
At The Museum
Did you know there was a Chinatown in Duncan? Discover what brought Chinese people to Canada and the Cowichan Valley, the discrimination and difficulties they faced, the people who made a difference, and the ultimate demolition of Chinatown. Discover Chinese mementos based on artifacts in the museum’s collection.
- Grades 4-6
- 90 minutes $60 per class
- Available: September 15 – December 15; January 15 – June 15 Monday to Wednesday, morning or afternoon sessions
Classroom Kits / In-School Programs
- Grades 4-6
- Kit: $40 for a two-week lending period; $50 deposit
- Educator Visit: $75
For more information please get in touch with us at info@cvmuseum.ca
Duncan's Totems Tour
Explore Duncan’s totems and how Duncan became the City of Totems. Learn about some of the stories that inspired them and about the totem carvers such as Simon Charlie. Examine artifacts in the museum’s collection and their place in Coast Salish life.
K-12
90 minutes
$60 per class
Available: September 15 – December 15; January 15 – June 15 Monday to Wednesday, morning or afternoon sessions
For more information please get in touch with us at info@cvmuseum.ca
Give the Gift of Membership
You can give a gift of membership or a gift certificate to someone special! To purchase, please visit the Cowichan Historical Society office at the museum:
Location:
130 Canada Avenue, Duncan, BC
For further inquiries, you can also contact the Society’s Membership Chairperson.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by cheque payable to the Cowichan Historical Society and mailed to the following address:
Membership Chairperson
Cowichan Historical Society
PO Box 1014, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y2
