51 records – page 1 of 3.

History of Burnaby Resource Guide

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7492
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
2019
Resource Guide History of Burnaby 604-297-4565 | 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6 | burnabyvillagemuseum.ca Looking at Metrotown from Deer Lake, 2016. �Burnaby Village Museum was never the site of a historical village. However, it is built on the stories of people that lived in what we now
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Digital Resource
Accession Code
BV019.63.1
Author
Burnaby Village Museum
Place of Publication
Burnaby, BC
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
2019
Physical Description
21 p. : ill.
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History
Directories
Object History
Created from research gathered by Burnaby Village Museum staff into the diverse History of Burnaby.
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7493
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Burnaby Village Museum
Fortney, Sharon
Edition
First
Publication Date
2019
Call Number
971.100497 BVM
Resource Guide Indigenous History in Burnaby 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6 | 604-297-4565 | burnabyvillagemuseum.ca Tsleil-Waututh community members paddling Burrard Inlet, June 18, 2014. Copyright Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Photograph by Blake Evans, 2014. �4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, British
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Digital Resource
Accession Code
BV019.64.1
Call Number
971.100497 BVM
Edition
First
Author
Burnaby Village Museum
Fortney, Sharon
Contributor
Kwantlen First Nation
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh First Nation
Tsleil-Waututh First Nation
ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation
Place of Publication
Burnaby, BC
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
2019
Library Subject (LOC)
Indigenous peoples--British Columbia
Indigenous peoples--British Columbia--History
Indigenous peoples--Canada--History
Subjects
Indigenous peoples - British Columbia
Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Languages
Indigenous peoples - British Columbia - Societies, etc.
Name Access
Burnaby Village Museum
Object History
2019 version of working document developed by Burnaby Village Museum in collaboration with a number of First Nations partners over the course of several years. We recognize that Burnaby falls within the shared, ancestral and unceded territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking people. We equally respect each of the Nations who share territory in Burnaby, and invite and welcome their ongoing participation in developing the contents of the Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide.
Images
Digital Books
Less detail

The ornament of a house : fifty years of collecting

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7345
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Burnaby Art Gallery
Publication Date
2017
Call Number
708.111 BUR
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
781927364239
Call Number
708.111 BUR
Author
Burnaby Art Gallery
Contributor
Van Eijnsbergen, Ellen, 1956-
Cane, Jennifer
Place of Publication
Burnaby, BC
Publisher
Burnaby Art Gallery
Publication Date
2017
Printer
Die Keure Printing
Physical Description
131 p. : ill. ; 27 X 29 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Catalogs
Collectors and collecting
Art
Names
Burnaby Art Gallery
Notes
Contributors: Van Eijnsbergen, Ellen, 1956- :"writer of added commentary" -- title page (located in back of book) Cane, Jennifer : "writer of added commentary" and "edited by" -- title page (located in back of book)
"A catalogue celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Burnaby Art Gallery and accompanying an exhibition held at the Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby, B.C., July 14 to September 3, 2017. All art in the exhibition is held within the City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection" -- title page (located in back of book)
Less detail

Burnaby 2012 BC Seniors Games : courtesy car map book

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5590
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
2012
Call Number
796 BCS
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
Call Number
796 BCS
Publisher
BC Seniors Games Society
Publication Date
2012
Physical Description
[21] p. : 19 maps ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
BC Seniors Games
Notes
"Celebrating 25 years"
"Used by Courtesy cars & Medical & Vips
Less detail

Burnaby 2012 BC Seniors Games : transportation volunteer handbook

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5591
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
2012
Call Number
796 BCS
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
Call Number
796 BCS
Publisher
BC Seniors Games Society
Publication Date
2012
Physical Description
28 p. : col. ill. ; 28cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
BC Seniors Games
Notes
"Celebrating 25 years"
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1930-1931

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5330
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1931
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1931
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.3
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1931
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Burnaby South Secondary School
Publication Date
1931
Printer
[Ward & Phillips]
Physical Description
58 p. : ill., ports. ; 26 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1934-1935

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5331
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1935
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1935
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.4
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1935
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publication Date
1935
Series
Burnaby South Secondary School
Printer
Columbian Co. Ltd.
Physical Description
80 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1935-1936

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5332
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1936
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1936
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.5
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1936
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Burnaby South Secondary School
Publication Date
1936
Printer
Columbian Co.
Physical Description
88 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1936-1937

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7567
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1937
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1937
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.6
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1937
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Burnaby South Secondary School
Publication Date
1937
Printer
Columbian Co.
Physical Description
90 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1937-1938

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5334
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1938
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1938
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.7
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1938
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Burnaby South Secondary School
Publication Date
1938
Printer
Columbian Co. Ltd.
Physical Description
96 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

Burnaby South Secondary School yearbook : 1938-1939

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5335
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1939
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1939
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV005.79.8
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1939
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Burnaby South Secondary School
Publication Date
1939
Printer
[Columbian Co. Ltd.]
Physical Description
96 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
School yearbooks--1930-1939
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Geographic Access
Rumble Street
Street Address
5455 Rumble Street
Names
Burnaby South High School
Notes
High school annual for South Burnaby High School
Less detail

First Burnaby Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4590
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1934-1939
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 scrapbook (2 photographs + illustrations + textual records)
Scope and Content
File consists of a scrapbook with sixteeen double sided pages with handwritten journal notations, poems, hand drawn illustrations and photographs documenting 1st Burnaby Girl Guide activities including meetings, hiking, camping and various outings. Many of the journal entries describe hiking around…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Series
Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 scrapbook (2 photographs + illustrations + textual records)
Scope and Content
File consists of a scrapbook with sixteeen double sided pages with handwritten journal notations, poems, hand drawn illustrations and photographs documenting 1st Burnaby Girl Guide activities including meetings, hiking, camping and various outings. Many of the journal entries describe hiking around Burnaby including areas such as Deer Lake, Brunette River, Willingdon and the Gilley Avenue Ravine while photographs document a garden party at the Municipal Hall at Edmonds in 1936. Photograph BV015.35.162.1 is titled "Garden Party / 1936" with Brown Owls identified L to R as: Mrs. Gowan, Miss May Dumas and Miss Kay Crossfield. Photograph BV015.35.162.2 is titled " Folk-dancing team / 1936 / Garden Party, Municipal Hall, Edmonds" with people identified in the top row L to R as: Phyllis Lockhart, Margaret Wilson, Marion Bellinger, Betty Martin and Peggy Urquhart and bottom row L to R as: Joan Warburton, Kay Lambert and Joan Mortimer. The scrapbook may have been a collective project by Marion Bellinger, Jean Atcheson, Margaret Wilson and Connie Benning.
Subjects
Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
Recreational Activities - Hiking
Names
Atcheson, Jean
Wilson, Margaret
Bellinger, Marion
Dumas, May
Crossfield, Kay
Lockhart, Phyllis
Martin, Betty
Urquhart, Peggy
Warburton, Joan
Lambert, Kay
Mortimer, Joan
Girl Guides of Canada
Accession Code
BV015.35.162
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1934-1939
Media Type
Photograph
Textual Record
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of scrapbook
Two photographs are described at item level (BV015.35.162.1 & BV015.35.162.2)
Images
Documents
Less detail

My life on The Heights : Burnaby B.C. 1932 -1938, 1946 - 1977

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6744
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Penn, Edna
Publication Date
2016
Call Number
921 PEN
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV016.45.1
Call Number
921 PEN
Author
Penn, Edna
Place of Publication
[Burnaby]
Publisher
Self Published
Publication Date
2016
Physical Description
55 p. : ill.(some col.) ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History--Anecdotes
Burnaby (B.C.)--Social Life and Customs
Burnaby (B.C.)
British Columbia--Social life and customs
British Columbia--History
Biography
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Names
Gilmore Avenue School
Object History
This is the second family history book that Edna has published.
Notes
Edna Penn is the mother of Douglas Penn who wrote the history of the Burnaby Fire Department "Follow That Fire"
Less detail

Clarion annual

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7594
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1938
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1938
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV021.25.1
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1938
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Students of Burnaby North High School
Publication Date
1938
Physical Description
52 p. : ill. ; 24 cm
Inscription
There are various signatures on pages 26, 27, and 52
Library Subject (LOC)
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Names
Burnaby North High School
Object History
The donor and her siblings attended North Burnaby High School (decades after 1938), and the donors parents lived in the Burnaby Heights area from 1963-1993. Their father passed in 2002 and their mother in 2010. The yearbook formerly belonged to the donors parents, though it is not known how they obtained it as the parents did not attend Burnaby North for high school.
Less detail

Museum exhibits series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16037
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1990-2021
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
1 digital illustration (pdf) + 1 painting (tiff) + 9 sound recordings (mp3) + 2 video recordings (mp4) + 6.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs, graphic materials and other records pertaining to Burnaby Village Museum temporary and permanent exhibits. A selection of temporary exihibits are described by title and year. Series have been arranged by exhibit title into the following subseries: 1) Burnaby's Best …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum exhibits series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
1 digital illustration (pdf) + 1 painting (tiff) + 9 sound recordings (mp3) + 2 video recordings (mp4) + 6.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of photographs, graphic materials and other records pertaining to Burnaby Village Museum temporary and permanent exhibits. A selection of temporary exihibits are described by title and year. Series have been arranged by exhibit title into the following subseries: 1) Burnaby's Best Baby contest subseries 2) Across the Pacific subseries 3) Agents of Change subseries 4) Museum materials for exhibits subseries
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.5
BV019.36.1
BV019.61.1
BV020.42
BV021.14
Date
1990-2021
Media Type
Sound Recording
Moving Images
Graphic Material
Textual Record
Arrangement
Series are arranged by subseries by exhibit title and year.
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Further accruals expected
Less detail

Pages from May Aikenhead scrapbook

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription5245
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1930-1935]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records : 1 p. + 1 illustration : col. ; graphite and watercolour + 1 digital file : col. (pdf) + 10 photographs : col. (tiffs)
Scope and Content
File consists of pages from a scrapbook created by May Aitkenhead. Pages include an illustration of a Girl Guide in uniform done in pencil and watercolour along with two pages (double sided) of clippings from newspapers, magazines and a programme. The illustration page includes the name "Mabel McIn…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Series
Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records : 1 p. + 1 illustration : col. ; graphite and watercolour + 1 digital file : col. (pdf) + 10 photographs : col. (tiffs)
Scope and Content
File consists of pages from a scrapbook created by May Aitkenhead. Pages include an illustration of a Girl Guide in uniform done in pencil and watercolour along with two pages (double sided) of clippings from newspapers, magazines and a programme. The illustration page includes the name "Mabel McIntyre / Cl. 16" handwritten in pencil at the top of the page along with a sticker of a wreath. The newspaper clippings page is titled "Guide News" and includes selected clippings about the 5th Burnaby Girl Guides, while two other pages include information titled "Patrol Portfolio Chart No. 9 _ Digging"; "The Aims of the Girl Guides" and "Girl Guiding" with photographic images of Mrs. Alan Morkill (Provincial Commissioner for British Columbia); Countess Bessborough (Honourary President of the Canadian Girl Guide Association); His Excellency Rt. Hon. the Earl of Bessborough (Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Dominion of Canada- Chief Scout of Canada) as well as Lady and Lord Baden Powell. The last page is clipped and pasted from a programme and/or poster "Grand Rally / Scouts / and / Guides / April 15th 1935 / Hastings Park / Vancouver BC" and includes a page of the programme.
Creator
Aitkenhead, May
Subjects
Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
Arts - Paintings
Names
Girl Guides of Canada
Accession Code
BV015.35.168
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1930-1935]
Media Type
Textual Record
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Digital images were created of the scrapbook prior to selective retention of original records
Selected pages were removed from original scrapbook and were retained under BV015.35.168
Selected photographs were removed from scrapbook prior and are described at item level (BV015.35.292 to BV015.35.300)
Images
Documents
Less detail

Svend Robinson : a life in politics

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6752
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Truelove, Graeme, 1983-
Publication Date
2013
Call Number
971.0640 TRU
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
9781554200726
Call Number
971.0640 TRU
Author
Truelove, Graeme, 1983-
Place of Publication
Vancouver
Publisher
New Star Books
Publication Date
2013
Printer
Imprimerie Gauvin
Physical Description
346 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Canada. Parliament. House of Commons
Gay politicians--Canada
Politicians
Politicians--British Columbia
Politicians--Canada
Politicians--Burnaby
Biography
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (pages 306-326) and index.
Less detail

Burnaby's heritage : an inventory of buildings and structures

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5437
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Luxton, Donald, 1954-
Wolf, Jim
Edition
Rev.
Publication Date
2011
c2007
Call Number
971.133 LUX COPY 1
. Historic buildings--British Columbia--Burnaby. 2. Burnaby (B.C.)--Buildings, structures, etc. 3. Historic sites--British Columbia-- Burnaby. 4. Architecture--British Columbia--Burnaby. 5. Burnaby (B.C.)-- History. I. Wolf, Jim II. Burnaby (B.C.) III. Title. FC3849.B85Z57 2006 971.1’33 C2006-906502-0
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0969282893
Call Number
971.133 LUX COPY 1
Edition
Rev.
Author
Luxton, Donald, 1954-
Wolf, Jim
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
2011
c2007
Physical Description
157 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Architecture
Historic buildings
Buildings
Historic sites
Subjects
Buildings
Buildings - Heritage
Notes
Includes bibliographical references and index.
2 copies held: copy 1.
Digital Books
Less detail

Hazel Simnett collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription71379
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1996]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1910-1996]
Collection/Fonds
Hazel Simnett collection
Physical Description
13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w
Description Level
Fonds
Accession Number
2013-22
2012-03
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.
History
Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 to Frederick and Mary Ann Simnett and grew up looking up to her father who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. Hazel attended Kingsway West Public School and Burnaby South High School in Burnaby. During the 1970s, Hazel was President of the Century Park Museum Association, which governs Burnaby Heritage Museum and published the work "Bygones of Burnaby". Hazel worked on the campaign team of Joan Sawicki from 1990 to 1991, which led Sawicki to be elected as Burnaby-Willingdon riding's MLA. Hazel volunteered her time to be a member of the Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission from 1993 to 1996. In 2006, Hazel won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Graphic Material
Creator
Simnett, Hazel
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
MSS167
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19150
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950-2022
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interviews series 2) Jimmy Chow family photographs series 3) Property master photographs series 4) Property master records series
History
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow and his mother, Gim Gee Chow (1913-1991) fled China to escape the Communist Revolution and to be reunited with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow (1906-1990) who’d immigrated to Canada many years earlier. Jimmy’s elder sister Shao-Lin Chow stayed behind in China. Jimmy’s father, Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Canada in 1921 at 14 years of age and was forced to pay the Chinese head tax of $500. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother first fled to Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada and arriving in Vancouver. Jimmy Chow’s birth name is Hipman Chow but when he arrived in Canada, his father indicated that he needed an English name and he was given the name “Jimmy” but retained his birth name “Hipman Chow”. Over the years, Jimmy has also used the name “James H. Chow” and is often credited by this name in the film industry. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec where his father had work in hotels and restaurants. While living in Asquith, Saskatchewan Jimmy attended school and began to learn English. In 1954, Jimmy and his parents returned to Vancouver, first living in the area of Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant where they purchased a house located on 15th Avenue east of Main Street. While living in Mount Pleasant, Jimmy attended both elementary and high school. While attending high school, Jimmy began working at the local grocery store where he worked for many years living at home and saving his money. In 1970 while attending Vancouver City College, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos. Two years later, they moved in together, married in 1981 and started a family. Jimmy and Donna first lived in North Burnaby before purchasing a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they raised their three children. Growing up in a traditional Chinese Canadian family, Jimmy was always one who went against the grain. Although his father wanted him to get a business degree, Jimmy had aspirations for a different career path. Through the referral of a friend, he entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver. While working at the CBC, Jimmy gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career in the film industry. Over a 45 year career, Jimmy worked on over 50 blockbuster movies, historical period films, science fiction films and fantasy films, where he honed in on his expertise as a set decorator, art director and property master. He built an international reputation through working with production companies, prop makers and antique sellers across the globe. As a property master in the film industry, Jimmy Chow has been responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: The BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, Once a Thief and many more. With Jimmy's many years of professional experience in the film industry, he has been a union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians...) from July 1979, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science from 2018 and has worked as a guest lecturer in film production at Capilano University and Langara University. He was also a key contributor to the Burnaby Village Museum’s 2014 temporary exhibition Burnaby Makes Movies. Donna Polos was born in Vancouver in 1949 to parents Mayme "May" Helen Tillikana Polos (1931-1977) and Donald James Polos (1926-2017). Donna’s maternal grandparents, Elvi Tienhara and Toiva Tillikana immigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Chimiki Polos emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James "Jimmy" Kostopolus emigrated as an orphan from Sparta Greece at the age of 12 years. In 1908, he first immigrated to the United States where he was denied entry so immigrated to Canada, entering through Halifax at Pier 17. When immigrating, James changed his last name to "Polos". Jimmy Polos arrived in Halifax with only five dollars in his pocket. He lived in Halifax for many years before making his way to Vancouver where he established three restaurants and raised his family. James was the proprietor of three restaurants in Burnaby including; the Home Apple Pie Café (1941-1944) located on East Hastings near Princess Avenue; Jimmy’s Café (1945-1955) located on East Hastings near Hawks Avenue and another restaurant located near 10th Avenue and Alma Street. Donna grew up with her family in Vancouver, first living in the downtown eastside before moving to a home near Joyce Station. Donna attended elementary school and high school while growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. Donna moved out of her family home at 21 years of age and lived with roommates before moving in with Jimmy Chow in 1972. Donna attended Vancouver City College and the University of British Columbia where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974. Donna first taught at Gilmore Elementary School before being hired to teach at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. While raising their three children, Donna worked part time teaching in schools in Burnaby. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. This experience led her to experimenting with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. In 2008, Donna retired from teaching but continued her art career often working as an Artist in Residence at various schools and exhibiting her work. While living in Burnaby Donna has been politically active with a particular passion for heritage, housing and preserving the natural environment. Donna was instrumental in advocating and petitioning for the establishment of a tree bylaw in Burnaby which was eventually adopted by the City.
Creator
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Polos, Donna
Accession Code
BV022.21
BV023.11
Date
1950-2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Photograph
Textual Record
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Less detail

51 records – page 1 of 3.