I Will Remember - Je Me souviendrai

Our History

Founded by Project Director Lewis Bartholomew in 1999 near Seattle Washington, TAP is a program of remembrance which pays tribute to the men who served on HMCS Alberni, a Canadian Corvette, between 1941 and 1944. With a mobile memorial and exhibit serving Vancouver Island based in the Comox Valley, BC and the popular year round museum and memorial (now located in our newly renovated location at 625 Cliffe Street in downtown Courtenay, BC TAP has welcomed over 7000 visitors from Canada and around the world to its many exhibit locations.  Exhibits and displays cover stories of Canadians in the Great War through present day missions of all branches of the Canadian military and civilian service.


Operated by The Alberni Project Society (TAPS), a registered non-profit society, TAP has developed educational programs for public and private schools, and continues to encourage community involvement with a variety of veterans commemorations and events. Most of the artifact items and art work on display in our Courtenay museum location have been donated or are on permanent loan to us by members of the community to better tell the stories of Canadians who served their country in times of war and peace. In past years TAP was host to many community events such as Postcards for Peace (in conjunction with Veterans Affairs Canada), The Haunted Museum (in conjunction with the Comox By The Sea BIA) and Valentine’s for Veterans during the month of February.  In 2014 HAMM was the centre for The Year of the Veteran in the Comox Valley with several guest exhibits and events held at the HMCS ALBERNI Museum and Memorial. In 2015 HAMM began to host the annual VANCOUVER ISLAND ANZAC DAY, and hosted the highly successful international exhibits ANNE FRANK: A HISTORY FOR TODAY and WAR BRIDES: ONE WAY PASSAGE.  Yearly we participate in the Battle of the Atlantic Sunday, Dominion History Week, BC Heritage Week, Canadian Merchant Navy Day and Remembrance Day. TAP also is a sponsor of the RCSCC 189 Port Augusta Sea Cadets.

Painting shown above of HMCS ALBERNI which was the inspiration for the creation of The Alberni Project in 1999.  Painting was commissioned for artist Pat Burstall to paint a series of paintings of Canadian Corvettes lost in WWII.  In 2012 BC Ferries Corporation presented HAMM with the painting in a special ceremony of the wheelhouse of the Queen of Alberni ferry.  The painting is on exhibit at HAMM.

TAP and the HMCS ALBERNI Museum and Memorial rely on public and private donations (which covers approximately 78% of our operating expenses), corporate and organizational sponsorships, government grants and community civic clubs support. TAPS is not affiliated directly with any government agency, other military or maritime museums, nor with the Royal Canadian Legion.


Our programs are staffed entirely by volunteers, all TAP/HAMM exhibits are wheel chair accessible and, with the exception of an occasional special exhibit, are offered free to the public.  Donations are appreciated as you leave the museum.

The "I WILL REMEMBER" and  "JE ME SOUVIENDRAI" POPPY LOGO IS A TRADEMARK of the Alberni Project Society.  Use of either English or French logo is prohibited without expressed written permission from the Alberni Project Society

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