Campbell River Museum

06/17/2026

🤔 Why is Sonora Island called Sonora Island?

The answer begins more than 250 years ago.

In 1775, a small Spanish exploration vessel named Sonora sailed north from Mexico to chart the Pacific Northwest. The voyage was filled with hardship. Crew members were killed while gathering fresh water, and disease ravaged the expedition as it pushed farther north.

By the time the vessel reached Dixon Entrance, only two officers remained healthy enough to stand.

Remarkably, they managed to sail the Sonora all the way back to Mexico on their own.

Today, Sonora Island bears the name of that ship—and this Father's Day, you'll pass by its shores on our History on the Water journey to the Thurlow Islands.

📅 Father's Day
🚤 History on the Water: Thurlow Islands

What other stories are hidden along our coast? Join us and find out.

06/17/2026

This June 21st - National Indigenous Peoples Day - we're donating 20% of all proceeds from our 4-hour tours to the Laichwiltach Family Life Society. 🧡🐋

The Campbell River based society fosters community healing and cultural awareness through holistic services for Indigenous individuals and families - including family therapy, child and youth counseling, addictions recovery, and group activities - all rooted in empowerment, self-sufficiency, and an inclusive approach.

This is our 3rd year supporting this incredible local organization, and last year we raised over $1,000 together. Let's go even further this year. 🌿

Book a tour on June 21st and make your adventure count for something bigger.

06/12/2026

Join us in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 at Robert Ostler Park. It's a time to recognize and celebrate the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations.

Event Schedule:
8:00-11:00 AM: Father's Day Breakfast, hosted by the Rotary Club of Campbell River at the Community Centre
10:00-11:30 AM: Opening Ceremonies & Cultural Performances at the Campbell River Big House
11:30 AM: March to Rober Ostler Park
12:00-1:30 PM: Lunch served
12:00-4:30 PM: Family activities including face painting, bouncy castles, games, craft vendors, demos, live entertainment, and more
4:40-5:00 PM: Closing Ceremonies

Mark the longest day of the year at National Indigenous People's Day. We are a proud supporter of this day and activities.

06/11/2026

We're ONE week away from Soccer by the Sea! ⚽ Catch Canada vs. Qatar in Action June 18, 2026, on the Giant Screen at Robron Park! 🇨🇦

We’re bringing the ultimate stadium experience to Campbell River with a massive 16ft by 10ft LED screen, with kickoff at 3 p.m.

Alongside the game broadcast, the whole family can enjoy:

🎨 Kid Zone: Bouncy castles, face painting, and soccer activities hosted by CRYSA - Campbell River Youth Soccer Association. (Note: This is not a supervised event)
🧩 Activities: Test your local, global and soccer knowledge with the Campbell River Museum, the Immigrant Welcome Centre of North Vancouver Island, and the Visitor Centre, Destination Campbell River.
🎽 Custom Gear: T-shirt customization at the Spinners Sports Tent.
🌿 Halftime: Special We Wai K*m elder blessing and drumming.
💺 Seating: Some seating available - bringing your own lawn chairs is encouraged!

Travel and Parking Tips:

🚲 Bike Valet: Secure bike parking service hosted by the River City Cycle Club.
♿ Accessible Parking: Available in the Robron Park lot off Birch Street.
🚗 Neighbourhood Parking: Available at the Robron lot (off Merecroft), Pinecrest Park, Campbell River United Church, Campbell River Baptist Church, and the CRYSA Clubhouse.

To make this event easy to attend, the City is offering free transit on all routes from 2 to 6 p.m. on event day! 🚌✨

ℹ️ For more information, visit: https://www.campbellriver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/community-events-calendar/2026-06-18-soccer-by-sea

📸 Wild Shay Photography at a 2025 Live Streets Event.

06/11/2026

Treat Dad to an unforgettable adventure this Father’s Day with our History on the Water: Discovery Islands Tour!

The Discovery Islands are rich with hidden stories waiting to be uncovered. Cruise through this coastal region and discover where First Nations communities and early settlers made their homes. Learn about life in remote logging camps and float homes, where the arrival of the Union Steamships brought the only connection to the outside world. See why the presence of the Columbia Coast Mission was so vital for caring for the physical and spiritual well-being of remote communities.

Along the way, you'll hear stories about the people who lived and worked among the islands of Quadra, Read, Maurelle, Stewart, and many more in this remarkable chain of islands.

🌊 Special Tour Highlights
• June 21: Includes a stop at historic Big Bay
• July 12: Special Rapids Tour featuring the famous Hole-in-the-Wall Rapids and a firsthand look at the incredible power of these waters

Whether you're celebrating Dad, exploring local history, or simply looking for a unique day on the water, this tour offers stunning scenery, captivating stories, and memories to share together.

📍 Go where history actually happened. https://crmuseum.ca/programs/boat-tours/

06/08/2026

💰 Gold fever among the Thurlow Islands.

When gold was discovered at Shoal Bay in 1884, prospectors flocked to East Thurlow Island. Within a few short years, a bustling community had emerged. By 1897, Shoal Bay boasted two hotels, two stores, regular Union Steamship service from Vancouver, and a population estimated at hundreds of people.

The boom continued. A school opened. A government dock was built. A telephone line was strung from Rock Bay on Vancouver Island to Thurston Bay on Sonora Island and on to Shoal Bay. It seemed the town's future was secure.

Today, visitors passing through these waters would hardly know a thriving community once stood there. The forest has reclaimed much of the townsite, and the clearest evidence of the bustle and energy of the gold rush years lies in the artifacts left behind—horseshoes, tools, and other traces of mining activity still hidden among the trees and brush.

So what became of this booming town?

Join us aboard our History on the Water: Thurlow Islands Tour and discover the rise—and fate—of one of the region's most fascinating boomtowns. Tours happen June 14, June 24, July 5, and Aug 9).

Several of the tours also includes a stop for a fantastic meal at Blind Channel Resort, a family-run destination on West Thurlow Island with its own rich history rooted in the logging, fishing, and coastal communities that once flourished throughout the area.

🎟️ Register today and experience history where it happened. Register at crmuseum.ca

06/02/2026

North Island College’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) researchers are inviting the community to dive into the fascinating world of seaweed at a special Seaweed Film Night on June 3 at the Tidemark Theatre, presented as part of Ocean Week Campbell River.

This engaging evening will feature a curated lineup of short films celebrating the beauty, science, and cultural importance of seaweed along our coastlines. From kelp forest ecosystems to innovative research and restoration efforts, the films aim to spark curiosity and conversation about the vital role seaweed plays in ocean health and coastal communities.

In addition to the film screenings, attendees can expect a lively, festival-style atmosphere with opportunities to connect with researchers and learn about the variety of different seaweed locally and its various roles in the ecosystem, as well as enjoy free popcorn with special popcorn seasonings designed by Chef Jonathan Frazier from NIC’s Culinary program and more.

You'll find a link to the ticketing page on our events calendar at nic.bc.ca/events

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Not all volunteer opportunities involve sitting at a table.

Some involve helping puppets tell stories.

This summer, we're looking for volunteer narrators for the Museum's Historical Puppet Theatre. You'll help bring local history to life, interact with young audiences, and watch kids become completely convinced that puppets are real.

It's storytelling, theatre, history, and imagination all rolled into one.

Interested? Send us a message or call 250-287-3133 ext. 234.