The Comox Valley Community Foundation’s contribution of five thousand dollars to the Courtenay and District Museum’s Capes Escape Vacation Rental has made a significant difference this year in the ongoing restoration of this popular heritage home and property.
Funds for landscaping, improved drainage and outbuilding repair take the museum’s efforts one step further in providing a great experience to Comox Valley visitors at the Capes Escape.
“Katherine Cape’s donation of her home and property was a generous gift,” said John Wilson, Chairman of the Courtenay and District Museum Board. “We want to ensure the property is utilized in a manner in keeping with Katherine’s wishes—that it be maintained for the long term benefit of the museum and community. The foundation funds have helped to complete some of the goals we had for the grounds.”
Capes Escape has been fully booked this summer with visitors from the U.K., Texas, Holland and as far away as Dubai. As well, Alberta and British Columbia families have stayed in order to visit local relatives or participate in museum programmes.
Katherine Capes was born in 1913. In 1922, her family moved to the Comox Valley to settle on the Capes homestead on Cumberland Road. Her father, Geoffrey Capes, owner of Courtenay Builders Supplies, was an avid outdoorsman and encouraged Katherine and her sister Phyllis to become members of the Comox Valley Mountaineering Club.
Katherine lived an extraordinary life and made significant contributions to archaeological study in Canada and the Comox Valley. In 1949, after serving as a WREN during WWII she attained a B.A. from UBC and went on to achieve an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto and it remained her lifelong interest.
In 1997, Katherine donated the Capes family home to the Courtenay and District Historical Society for the purpose of “preserving the historical value of the homestead for the community” and to “further the objects and purposes of the Courtenay and District Historical Society.” Katherine, a reserved, intelligent and humorous woman, passed away in 2001 leaving the community with a lasting legacy.
Comox Valley Community Foundation, a non-governmental community foundation, is a collection of funds that form a permanent endowment for charitable purposes. Grants are made from income generated from the investment funds.
Anyone can give, at any time in any amount. The larger the pool of capital, the more income can be earned and the more good work can be accomplished in our communities. If you would like to donate, or for more information on the Foundation, please visit the website at https://cvcfoundation.org/ or contact President Blaine Douglas at 250-334-3822.
The Comox Valley Community Foundation’s contribution of $5000.00 to the Courtenay and District Museum’s Capes Escape Vacation Rental has made a significant difference this year in the ongoing restoration of this popular heritage home and property.
Funds for landscaping, improved drainage and outbuilding repair take the museum’s efforts one step further in providing a great experience to Comox Valley visitors at the Capes Escape.
“Katherine Cape’s donation of her home and property was a generous gift,” said John Wilson, Chairman of the Courtenay and District Museum Board. “We want to ensure the property is utilized in a manner in keeping with Katherine’s wishes—that it be maintained for the long term benefit of the museum and community. The grant from the Comox Valley Community Foundation has helped to complete some of the goals we had for the grounds.”
