What is an Archive?
An archive houses and preserves the records of individuals, businesses, and organizations. It contains unique, one-of-a-kind documents that provide important information about the activities and functions of a particular entity: an individual, an organization, or a business.
The Cowichan Valley Museum Archives ~
The Cowichan Valley Museum Archives is a repository for community records that document social, economic, political, and geographical development in the Cowichan Valley. The purpose of the Archives is to identify, acquire, and preserve records of archival value to, and for, the people of the Cowichan Valley and to make those records accessible to the public. The Archives stores a treasure trove of the community’s memories that help to tell the story of our history. The area of acquisition includes Westholme (north) to Cobble Hill (south), and Maple Bay (east) to Paldi (west). Major holdings are listed in the British Columbia Archival Union List (BCAUL) on the Archives Association of British Columbia (AABC) website.
The Archives houses the Myrtle Haslam Gallery, which features a collection of archival photographs that represent our twelve collecting areas in the Cowichan Valley: Cobble Hill, Glenora, Koksilah, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Paldi, Westholme, Sahtlam, Crofton, Cowichan Station and Somenos. The Gallery was named in honour of long-time Cowichan Historical Society volunteer, Myrtle Haslam.
Our holdings
Our holdings include documents such as photographs correspondence, reports, maps, architectural drawings, family histories, diaries, business records, audio/video tapes, manuscripts, and art. The inclusive dates of the material are 1859-present and predominantly from 1900-1940.
A comprehensive selection of reference material includes books, information files, microfilm, and directories.
Who uses the Archives?
Researchers include genealogists, environmentalists, students, educators, writers, reporters, and people who are curious about history. The Archives can get very busy, so please call ahead for an appointment.
Using the Archives
Archival records are considered original primary source material and are irreplaceable. Therefore, we use and care for items in an archives differently than we would in a library. For preservation and security of these irreplaceable documents, archival material cannot be borrowed and must be used in our supervised reading room. Everyone who handles archival documents shares a responsibility for their care. As a researcher you will be expected to follow practices which will help ensure that the documents are available to future researchers. Thank you for your cooperation.
Hours
Summer (June – September)
Wednesday ~ Friday, 12 noon ~ 3:45 p.m.
Winter (October – May)
Wednesday ~ Friday, 12 noon ~ 4:00 p.m.
Please call ahead for an appointment. Tel/Fax 250-746-6612 OR
Email the Archives
Location
Duncan City Hall, Third Floor
City Hall is situated on the corner of Craig and Kenneth Streets.
Please note that the Archives is closed from Christmas to New Year’s.
Contact
Kathryn Gagnon, Curator/Manager
Tel: 250-746-6612
Email the Museum:
Photographic Services Schedule of Fees
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) will be added to all orders. Payment (cash or cheque) is due when prints are ordered.
PRINTS
For many photographs in our Archives, there are no negatives so one must be created before a print can be made.That negative remains the property of the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives.
Please note that some negatives require extra work and there will be an additional charge.
| SIZE (inches) | NO NEGATIVE ON FILE |
NEGATIVE ON FILE |
|---|---|---|
5 x 7 |
$18 |
$11 |
8 x 10 |
$22 |
$15 |
11 x 14 |
$35 |
$23 |
16 x 20 |
$44 |
$32 |
COMMERCIAL USE
Permission is required from the Curator/Manager to reproduce material from the Cowichan Valley Museum Archives collection for Commercial Use. The following Commercial use fees apply, in addition to the reproduction fee. Commercial Use of archival material is for one time only.
Each photograph used in a publication must credit Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives.
COMMERCIAL USE |
FEE |
|---|---|
Book |
$10 publication fee per photo |
Movie, Website, Commercial Presentation |
$25 per photo |
PACKAGING AND DELIVERY COSTS
Available upon request.
OTHER SERVICES
Research 
$30 per hour
Obituary Look up - $2.00 per obituary.
To receive these by mail, please include a $5.00 shipping and handling charge.
ARCHIVES HOURS
Wednesday to Friday ~ 12 noon to 3:45 p.m.
Please call first to set up an appointment.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives
P.O. Box 1014, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y2
Tel/Fax: (250) 746-6612
Email
For preservation and security of these irreplaceable materials, archival records cannot be borrowed. Archival material must be observed in a supervised reading room. Everyone who handles archival documents shares a responsibility for their care. As a researcher you will be expected to follow practices which will contribute to the preservation of the material you use.
