[BCMA] Media release from the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

Tue Oct 9 14:04:40 PDT 2012

For Immediate Release

Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

October 9, 2012

The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives is delighted to announce the following upcoming events: 

Robert D. Turner - October 17

Railway historian Robert D. Turner will be the guest speaker at the Cowichan Historical Society meeting on Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Church Hall, 5800 Church Road, Duncan, BC (just off Maple Bay Road). Mr. Turner's new book, The Canadian Pacific's Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway, co-authored by Donald R. MacLachlan, was recently published by Sononis Press.  Sononis Press describes the subject of the new book: 'The Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway had a special character and charm like few others. Skirting the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, it was separated from the rest of the national and continental rail network by the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits. During the days of steam power on the railway, it was a distant and often rustic outpost of the Canadian Pacific Railway's vast system, but it was a profitable one. It hauled logs and coal, fish and paper, strawberries and raspberries, beer and wine, automobiles and oil, and tons and tons of wood. The E&N carried soldiers off to two world wars, toured royalty on Vancouver Island and carried hundreds of passengers in stately parlour cars or rickety day coaches. The mail was sorted on the trains and could be delivered "Up Island" in a matter of hours. The E&N's well-maintained steam locomotives were the pride of the railway.'  Copies of The Canadian Pacific's Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway will be available at the meeting. The E&N built the current Duncan Train Station, which is currently celebrating its centennial year and is also the home of the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives. Admission is by donation.

Women's History Month - October 27

In celebration of Women's History Month, excerpts from the award winning anthology Zhindagee© will be read by the authors of selected stories of the first South Asian Indian daughters born in Canada between 1900-1950, many of whom were born and raised in Paldi or Duncan, BC. Zhindagee© editor/publisher Mahinder Doman and the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives invite you to this special event at the museum in the Duncan Train Station on Saturday, October 27 from 12:45 - 3:30 p.m.  Come and join us to meet the authors, enjoy conservation and tea, and celebrate family histories.

Christmas Past Comes Alive! November 30

The museum is celebrating its 7th annual Christmas Past Comes Alive! event during Duncan's Christmas Kick Off.  Thousands of visitors over the years have enjoyed our 'living history' displays that feature volunteers dressed in period costume and who are ensconced throughout the museum, including our Post Office, Home of 1912, Train Station, Hospital and General Store.  In the Kitchen, 'Mrs. Castley' will be making a Christmas pudding - she might even invite you to give it a stir for good luck, but make sure you stir it in the right direction!  'Mr. W.P. Jaynes' will be measuring out penny candy in the Alderlea General Store - and all for a good cause - proceeds will go to fund families in need.  Meet other characters from our past, like 'Nurse Black', who will be tending to patients at the King's Daughters' Hospital like 'Mrs. Alice Townsend', who experiences an unfortunate malady during the Christmas season. Children can make a special holiday craft. The event takes place Friday, November 30, 5:30-7:45 p.m.  Admission is by donation.    

The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives is located in the Duncan Train Station on Canada Avenue.  Winter hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11-4 and Saturday 1-4. Please call curator Kathryn Gagnon at 250-746-6612 or Email: cvmuseum.archives at shaw.ca. for more information.

Kathryn Gagnon
Curator/Manager
Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives
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