The Courtenay & District Museum Society is inviting visitors to the Comox Valley to step back in time and spend a night or two in one of the valley’s most historic residences.

The Capes Escape is a luxury guesthouse that the museum society has just begun operating out of a beautifully refurbished heritage home sitting on a forested property surrounded by six acres of parkland.

The Capes Escape offers its guests a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history of the Comox Valley’s influential Capes family, who built the home nearly a century ago.

“It’s a beautiful home nestled in the middle of 13 acres of forest and surrounded by nothing but peace, tranquillity and wildlife,” said John Wilson, president of the Courtenay & District Museum Society. “When you set foot in that house it really is easy to imagine that you’ve stepped back into a simpler time.”

The 1,400-square foot character home has indeed been completely renovated to offer the best of modern luxuries while preserving its historical charm. The house boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sunroom, a study, a formal living room with majestic brick fireplace, a dining room and a state-of-the-art modern kitchen. The home sleeps six people very comfortably, and even offers conveniences such as wireless Internet, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer and a telephone.

The Capes Escape has been a labour of love for museum staff and volunteers for several years.

The gorgeous cedar panelling throughout the main level has all been refinished, and the cedar planks that cover the walls of the foyer were all removed, re-planed and refinished as well. Underfoot, two layers of flooring were removed to reveal the original fir floor, which was immaculately restored with a vibrant cherry stain.

The house has been completely furnished with a combination of modern and antique furniture, lending the house a welcoming, cosy feel that makes you want to settle right in and just let time pass you by.

“Our goal was to make the Capes Escape the most opulent guesthouse in the Comox Valley,” said Wilson. “We’ve re-created a piece of our history here that both honours the Capes family and rewards our guests with a decadent vacation experience.”

The Capes family originally settled in nearby Merville in 1920, but when the Merville fire forced them to relocate two years later they built their new home on the outskirts of Courtenay.

Geoff Capes was a well-liked businessman who demonstrated a strong work ethic and commitment to community service that proved contagious within his family. His wife Nell (Helen) helped organize Girl Guiding and was involved with the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary; Phyllis, their youngest daughter, became an award-winning naturalist.

Katherine Capes, Geoff and Nell’s eldest, served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and went on to become a noted anthropologist and a founding member of the Courtenay & District Historical Society.

In 1997, Katherine donated the Capes family home, along with seven acres of land, to the historical society. The property now sits adjacent to Capes Park, six acres of forested land that the family had protected in perpetuity back in 1968.

The museum society is grateful for the Capes family’s generous donation but is also quick to acknowledge other community organizations whose contributions helped make the Capes Escape a reality. These include the Comox Valley Foundation, which granted the society $5,000 to upgrade the property’s drainage system, and Community Futures Strathcona for their expertise and support of the project.

For photos and details, or to book your stay, visit www.courtenaymuseum.ca or call 250-334-0686.