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Explore Vancouver Island with George Vancouver through presentation in Cowichan

Historian Eric Marshall will relate this history at the 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27
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Mapping in the old days meant painstaking viewing of the terrain — in person. (submitted)

By Carolyn Prellwitz

The early explorations of Vancouver Island and the surrounding Mainland resulted in many maps being produced, some of which were based on fanciful accounts of these explorations.

Captain George Vancouver of the British Royal Navy, skilled navigator, had examined the coastline of Vancouver Island with minute care, including surveying the intricate inlets and channels of the island. Later, working with Spanish explorers, he produced the first really accurate maps of the island.

Historian Eric Marshall will relate this history at the 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at a general meeting of the Cowichan Historical Society at St. Peter’s Church Hall. Interestingly, Marshall and the topic of his presentation, George Vancouver, were both born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England.

Coffee, tea and cookies will be available at the conclusion of the presentation along with an opportunity to mingle and chat with Marshall, as well as other Society members in attendance. Non-Society members are welcome to attend; donations to the Society are much appreciated.

The Cowichan Historical Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that owns and operates the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives. The museum is located in the former Duncan Train Station on Canada Avenue, and the archives are located on the third floor of Duncan City Hall. The aims of the Society are to gather and preserve information and records connected with the history of the Cowichan area and to maintain the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives.

New Society members are encouraged to join. Membership fees are $20 annually and come with such benefits as select previews of new exhibitions at the Cowichan Valley Museum in the former train station on Canada Avenue, e-newsletters and a $5 discount off a subscription to the quarterly BC History Magazine.

Note: The Jan. 16 presentation entitled Aerial Mapping of Canada by aviation historian Robert Stitt, had to be cancelled due to the heavy snowfall that day. This presentation has been re-scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16, at St. Peter’s Church Hall.

Carolyn Prellwitz is a director with the Cowichan Historical Society.