Michael Layland presents “A Perfect Eden,” an illustrated lecture based on his recent book of the same name, at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 24th in the Courtenay and District Museum. “A Perfect Eden, Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island” travels back hundreds of years to relive the stories of the intrepid explorers who first encountered Vancouver Island in the era of European discovery, and paints a vivid picture of what they saw, the people they met, the hazards they faced, the ships they sailed, and some mysteries yet to be resolved. Layland’s book contains a generous helping of maps and contemporary and modern artwork and, of course, some of these spectacular images will be featured in the presentation. His research, which also included first-hand accounts, reveals: whether Juan De Fucareallydiscovered the strait that bears his name today how Nootka Sound became one of the busiest seaports of the 18th century the difficulties and wonders encountered during the first known circumnavigation of Vancouver Island how and why Victoria’s harbour was chosen as the new Hudson Bay Company headquarters. “A Perfect Eden, Encounters by Early Explorers of Vancouver Island” (shortlisted for two 2017 BC Book Prizes) is the companion volume to the acclaimed and prize […]