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December 2023 by Ni Zhang
The Cowichan Valley's rich history and culture have left countless traces throughout the region.Museums and cultural centers play the role of inheriting history in an orderly and unique manner. Dozens of Aboriginal totem poles are scattered throughout downtown Duncan. Not to be missed is the Kinsol Trestle, the tallest existing wooden railway bridge in Canada and (reportedly) in the Commonwealth.Aboriginal and European settlersThe Coast Salish and Cowichan people have settled on the coast here for at least 6,000 years. Spanish and British explorers did not map this coast until the early 1890s. In August 1862, William Chalmers Duncan arrived in Cowichan Bay aboard the H.M.S. Hecate. He led his men to clear large areas of forest, build wooden houses, and plant crops to obtain food and raise livestock. livestock. Information comes from the InternetAlthough it is a free museum, donations are required and cash and cards are accepted. There are many stories and hardships of Chinese immigrants during the gold rush era. I recommend everyone to go in and have a look. This will give you a better feeling when visiting this totem city.Cowichan Valley MuseumThe Cowichan Valley Museum, operated by the Cowichan Historical Society, is located on Canada Avenue in downtown Duncan, housed in the red 1912 E&N train station. The Jack Fleetwood Gallery recreates local life before the First World War, while the Alderlea shop is filled with the necessities of pioneer life.
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October 2023 by E T
This museum is very easily spotted at the center of the city, just by the totem poles. It was a very interesting experience for me, seeing all the historical items and details of the history here - from the Japanese immigration, to the first settlers meeting the indigenous people who lived on this land - I was very pleased to see how descriptive and detailed the information presented here was. Admission is by donation, and there are souvenirs at the front desk. The staff working there was also kind and welcoming to visitors. I highly suggest stopping by here to see what the Cowichan Valley museum has to offer; especially if you're a tourist and/or seeing the totems here!
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August 2023 by Georg
I feel the museum is a bit of a hidden gem, it's small, but well looked after. Have a look inside when you're passing through.
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August 2023 by Wayne Fingzies
A quaint little museum in the old train station, by donation to enter. Show casing the local history
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April 2023 by Paul Considine
I love this museum, it's tucked away unto itself, preserving many of the great memories. There are wonderful volunteers who help keep the station going, even in a time where most of the world doesn't take a minute for history. The Cowichan Valley is rich with both Native and European cultures. The museum, which is operated by the historical society, has many wonderful artifacts carefully stored away as well as on display. Check out the museum and also the website for more information, then take some time to bring family and friends for a visit, it's well worth the trip!
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September 2022 by Stephanie C
You can see that even with a tiny (non-existant) paid staff that they've made a valient attempt at trying to tell a more historically accurate account of Duncan's history, especially in their newer 2018-2019 exhibit. Given that it's not particularly representative of the area's current demographic, I wouldn't have learned this history otherwise. However, I was unpleasantly surprised at one of the books in the gift shop being pretty culturally insensitive and the person at the front normalizing this by saying "it's a popular book."P.s. I was shocked that the curator position that they're hiring for is only a 3.5 month contract, pays $25/hour, requiring them to have a full understanding of collection protocols, pedagogy, and teaching which are full careers, separately. Sadly, this really downplays the value and professionalism of the industry for others. But small museums are stuck between a rock and a hard place; they overly dependent grants and funding.
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August 2022 by Carlos Uploads
Really well looked after Totem Poles. Worth checking out.
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August 2022 by J C
I called to check if my purse got turned in. I accidentally left it in the women’s bathroom right beside the museum. The woman there said no and I kindly asked if she could quickly go check as I’m traveling through and was already half an hour away. She said she would check within half an hour an call me back. She never called back and I drove all the way back to find it was gone. So I wasted 2 hours (driving there, looking around, heading back to my destination) when it would have taken 2 minutes to check and get back to me (she wasn’t the only one working there either). I would have just made peace with it if she had checked and told me no.
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August 2022 by Sarah L
It's hard to walk right past this little gem. Not huge, but a nice little walk down the memory lane of Cowichan's history.
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June 2022 by Mark Brennan
Well worth the visit, if only for the chat with the lovely lady on the door! As Brits we shared our love of Heartbeat with her, and she helped us understand the history of the town. Chinese and First Nation history very rich! We also loved doing the Totem Trail in the main streets opposite. Highly recommend!
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May 2022 by jakarta accommodation
Small museum nice to visit in Downtown Duncan BC - people is nice in here
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February 2022 by Manfred Moser
Very small local museum with clear displays and some cool artifacts.
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November 2021 by Cowichan Archives
A great museum for its size.Please go to the website for the correct hours of operation.
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July 2020 by De-Lou
My son of 10 and I really ejoyed our time at the little hiden, but not so hiden, gem of knowledge and I believe every person who visits Duncan should take 40min or hour or more and really go through it.And dont forget to Donate as that is their fee to get go through it helps keep it going.
