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100 records – page 2 of 5.

Interview with Edward Apps by Rod Fowler February 22, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory457
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1946-1990
Length
00:09:48
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Ed Apps’ work as Foreman Painter for the Burnaby School Board, and his positions in the local and provincial union CUPE, from 1953 to 1982. He briefly describes some of the old schools and how he got involved in community organizations after retirement
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Ed Apps’ work as Foreman Painter for the Burnaby School Board, and his positions in the local and provincial union CUPE, from 1953 to 1982. He briefly describes some of the old schools and how he got involved in community organizations after retirement
Date Range
1946-1990
Length
00:09:48
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Organizations - Unions
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 22, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Edward Apps, conducted by Rod Fowler. Ed Apps was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Ed Apps involvement in community groups, particularly his work in seniors organizations lobbying for seniors’ housing since his retirement, and views about the role of Rate Payer groups, unions and politics in the development of North and South Burnaby. He also talks about his origin in England, his war service, arrival with his wife Margaret in Burnaby in 1946, his work with the Burnaby School Board and for the local union, the location of some of the older schools, the history of his house, and briefly about his wife and children. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Edward Apps was born in 1918 in London, England, and grew up in Kent and Essex. In WWII he flew the third glider to land in Normandy on June 6th, 1944. He and his wife Margaret Hope (1915-1985) immigrated to British Columbia in 1946, joining his wife’s parents, who had immigrated earlier in 1939, in Burnaby Heights in North Burnaby. He worked for the Burnaby School Board as Foreman Painter, and served on CUPE Local 379 Executive, until his retirement in 1982. In 1948 Ed Apps bought his first lot, for $150.00, in the 4700 block on Georgia Street, building houses there and in the 4100 block before buying his present home, a ca.1900 farm building, in the same area in 1954. North Burnaby was “bush country and orchards” in the 1950s; his two sons played in the ravines; and the family used the tram system on Hastings and Boundary Road for transportation. Development of municipal services seemed slower in North than South Burnaby, and Ed Apps remembers the strong role Rate Payers groups had in creating local services and lobbying Municipal Council for provide services. After retirement Ed Apps became involved in several local and provincial seniors organizations, advocating for better housing, including serving on the Executives of the Network of Burnaby Seniors and the Council of Senior Citizens Organization, and was active in the provincial Seniors Research and Resource and CMHC Housing Committee. He also served on the Centennial Committee of Burnaby.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:56:50
Interviewee Name
Apps, Ed
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
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Investment in Youth

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85187
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946
Collection/Fonds
Norm Henderson collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a motion picture film entitled 'Investment in Youth'. The film was created between October 1945 and March 15, 1946 and had its first public screening in April of 1946 at the North Burnaby High School with The Deputy Minister of Education of British Columbia, Dr. F.T. Fairey in atte…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1946
Collection/Fonds
Norm Henderson collection
Physical Description
1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
565-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2013-33
Scope and Content
Item consists of a motion picture film entitled 'Investment in Youth'. The film was created between October 1945 and March 15, 1946 and had its first public screening in April of 1946 at the North Burnaby High School with The Deputy Minister of Education of British Columbia, Dr. F.T. Fairey in attendance. It was produced for the Burnaby School Board as one method of demonstrating the importance of education as well as pointing out the need for school improvements. The depression of the 1930s left Burnaby in a difficult position with limited school construction and during World War II there were little resources for maintenance. Ken West was the producer and amateur cinematographer while Vancouver teacher, Roth Gordon assisted with the cinematography as well as providing technical assistance. The script was written by Norman D. MacDonald, who was the principal of Burnaby South High School while Inspector of Burnaby Schools, Cliff G. Brown, provided the overall supervision and idea for the production. Norm Henderson worked as a student assistant during the filming and assisted with much of the sound work. The speed of the film was ASA 2 ( artifical lighting) to 4 (natural lighting). As a result many of the sets had to have outside lighting. A 16 mm Bolex camera was used to film the entire production with sound being added later.
History
Norm Henderson came from Saskatchewan to Burnaby with his parents in December of 1940 to visit his grandmothers. Norm and his parents stayed on and bought the Old Orchard Auto Park on the corner of Kingsway and Willingdon Avenue, which they ran until 1944. Norm attended Burnaby South High School from 1941 to 1947, during which time he was involved in the production of the Burnaby School Board film; “Investment in Youth." In 1945 Norm got a part time job at Woodward’s Department Store in Vancouver where he worked until he went into teacher training at Vancouver Normal School in the early nineteen-fifties. Kathleen MacFarlane (later Henderson) was born in 1929 and grew up in Vancouver. Kathleen also went through teacher training at Vancouver Normal School. Norm Henderson and Kathleen MacFarlane were married in 1953 and moved to a small suite located at Patterson Avenue and Kingsway in Burnaby. Norm taught at Gilmore Avenue School and Kathleen taught at Nelson Avenue Elementary School. Norm was a member of West Burnaby United Church from 1941 until he and Kathleen moved to Richmond in 1959.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Persons - Children
Names
Henderson, Norm
Burnaby School Board
West, Ken
Gordon, Roth
MacDonald, N.D.
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Gordon, Roth
West, Ken
Responsibility
Burnaby School Board
Notes
Transcribed title
Images
Video
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Kingsway West School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34513
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1943
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 26.1 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Kingsway West School (originally named West Burnaby School). In 1952 the school ceased operations. Simpson Sears was later built on this site.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1943
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Jeanie Brown subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18.1 x 26.1 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
033-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Kingsway West School (originally named West Burnaby School). In 1952 the school ceased operations. Simpson Sears was later built on this site.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Names
Kingsway West School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp on back reads, "Universal Appraisal Company Limited"
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Street Address
4800 Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Kingsway West School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36975
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1940 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.6 x 12.7 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Kingsway West School.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1940 (date of original), copied 1992
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.6 x 12.7 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
315-433
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1994-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Kingsway West School.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Names
Kingsway West School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Sussex Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Marching formations at Edmonds School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35967
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph was taken on Inspection Day and shows a girls gym class doing marching formations.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Edmonds School subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
207-016
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-07
Scope and Content
Photograph was taken on Inspection Day and shows a girls gym class doing marching formations.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Recreational Activities
Names
Edmonds Community School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
18th Avenue
Street Address
7651 18th Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Port Moody High school class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20233
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1940 or 1941]
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 27.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students from Port Moody High School. Students are arranged in seven rows. Ina (Stanley) Shankie is identified standing in the second row, second from right.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 27.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students from Port Moody High School. Students are arranged in seven rows. Ina (Stanley) Shankie is identified standing in the second row, second from right.
Subjects
Persons - Students
Buildings - Schools
Persons - Japanese Canadians
Names
Shankie, Ina Esther Stanley
Accession Code
BV022.32.655
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1940 or 1941]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-09-13
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 2 (BV032.22.431)
Note in white ink on album page reads: "FRONT ROW, 2ND FROM RIGHT- INA"
Photographer's inscription in white on bottom of photograph reads: "PORT_MOODY_HIGH_SCHOOL_1940-41_(#45)"
Images
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Port Moody School class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20232
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1941
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 22 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students from grades 5 and 6, division 1 of Port Moody School. Frank Stanley is identified standing on the far right in back row. The students are posing together in five rows with teacher in second row outside of school.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 22 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of students from grades 5 and 6, division 1 of Port Moody School. Frank Stanley is identified standing on the far right in back row. The students are posing together in five rows with teacher in second row outside of school.
Subjects
Persons - Students
Buildings - Schools
Persons - Japanese Canadians
Names
Stanley, Frank Conquest
Accession Code
BV022.32.654
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1941
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-08-29
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 2 (BV032.22.431)
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "FRANK FAR RIGHT, TOP ROW / 1941"
Note in white ink on album page reads: "BACK ROW, RIGHT - FRANK / GRADES 5& 6, 1941 PORT MOODY"
Photographer's inscription in white on bottom of photograph reads: "PORT_MOODY_SCHOOL_GRADES_5&6_DIV. 1_1941- (#46)"
Images
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Riverway East and Riverway West Schools

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription87921
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1967 (date of originals), copied [1990]
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
24 photographs : b&w copy prints + 25 photographs : b&w negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
Photographs of Dundonald, Riverway East, Glenwood and Riverway West schools and negatives.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1926-1967 (date of originals), copied [1990]
Collection/Fonds
Mary Forsyth fonds
Physical Description
24 photographs : b&w copy prints + 25 photographs : b&w negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
572-002
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2014-27
Scope and Content
Photographs of Dundonald, Riverway East, Glenwood and Riverway West schools and negatives.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Names
Riverway East School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Most of the photographs are copy prints taken from the Riverway West PTA scrapbook MSS068-001 (Bay 64 - Shelf 6)
Many of the photographs contain annotations on verso
Note in pencil on verso of photograph 572-002-1 reads: "Riverway East"
Note in pencil on verso of photograph 572-002-2 reads: "school site for/ 1) Dundonald with shed/ 2) Riverway East 1905/ 3) Glenwood"
Note in blue pen on verso of photograph 572-002-38 reads:"back row/ Miss Kidd, Donald Kin, William Waldner, Sammy Gilbert, Lucy Checkowsky, Geraldine McIntyre, Beatrice MacGowen, Jean Banon, Dorren McClure, Sady Mann, Sonny McClure, 2 Normal Students/2nd row/Eva Eng, Florence MacGowen, Evelyn Rorison, Kay Rorison, Nelie Wilson, Jessie Gilbert, Margaret Corothers, Audrey Banon, Betty Mann, Jean MacMullin/3rd row/ Hughie Rorison, Engine Banoff, David Downs, Donald McIntyre, Fred Chambers, George Eng, Anthony Checkowsky, Jimmy Wintson, Art McClure, Leonard Geall, Jack Rorison, Peter Smith, Gum Eng."
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
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Seaforth School Class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37340
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1949
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of twenty-nine students and their teacher seated and standing in rows in front of the school building. A label on the back of the photograph states that the students are from Seaforth School. Identified are the following, back row (l to r): Calvert Broomfield, Billy Beaton, Rod Cardin, …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1949
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Seaforth School subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.7 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
355-004
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1997-14
Scope and Content
Photograph of twenty-nine students and their teacher seated and standing in rows in front of the school building. A label on the back of the photograph states that the students are from Seaforth School. Identified are the following, back row (l to r): Calvert Broomfield, Billy Beaton, Rod Cardin, Brian Smith, Connor Werts, Charlie Sunderland, David Werts, John Short, Edward Green, Brude Johnson and Mrs. Mary Johnson (nee Mary MacDonald). Middle row (l to r): Judy Haddon, Sharon Milne, Barbara Smith, Wilma Heather, Betty Hadfield, Merle Beaton, Marcia Noel, Beverly Clarke, Janet Hadfield, Beverly Gamble, Lillian Savage and Joan Dachiuk. Front row (l to r): Billy Smith, Jerry Green, Leigh Tucker, David Park, Eldon Clarke, Joe Haddon and Sammy Savage.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Occupations - Teachers
Names
Seaforth School
Johnson, Mary MacDonald
Broomfield, Calvert
Beaton, Billy
Cardin, Rod
Smith, Brian
Werts, Connor
Sunderland, Charlie
Werts, David
Short, John
Green, Edward
Johnson, Bruce
Haddon, Judy
Milne, Sharon
Smith, Barbara
Heather, Wilma
Hadfield, Betty
Beaton, Merle
Noel, Marcia
Clarke, Beverly
Hadfield, Janet
Gamble, Beverly
Savage, Lillian
Dachiuk, Joan
Smith, Billy
Green, Gerry
Tucker, Leigh
Park, David
Clarke, Eldon
Haddon, Joe
Savage, Sammy
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on label on verso of photograph
Photographer identified as "Layton"
Geographic Access
Government Road
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
7881 Government Road
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Government Road Area
Images
Less detail

Soldiers visit Edmonds Street School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35983
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 5.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph taken on Inspection Day, with soldiers visiting Edmonds Street School. The school's woodpile is visible in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Edmonds School subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 5.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
207-032
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-07
Scope and Content
Photograph taken on Inspection Day, with soldiers visiting Edmonds Street School. The school's woodpile is visible in the background.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Names
Edmonds Community School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Street Address
7641 Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
Less detail

Soldiers visit Edmonds Street School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35984
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph taken on Inspection Day, with three soldiers during their visit to the Edmonds Street School. One solider is standing at ease, while the other two are standing at attention.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1944
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Edmonds School subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
207-033
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-07
Scope and Content
Photograph taken on Inspection Day, with three soldiers during their visit to the Edmonds Street School. One solider is standing at ease, while the other two are standing at attention.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Clothing - Military Uniforms
Names
Edmonds Community School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Street Address
7641 Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Images
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The Clarion : Burnaby North High School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7629
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1949
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1949
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV023.2.1
Call Number
373.71 BUR 1949
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
Students of Burnaby North High School
Publication Date
1949
Physical Description
84 p. : ill. ; 25.5 cm
Inscription
There are various signatures throughout but specifically on page 46
Library Subject (LOC)
Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
School yearbooks
Subjects
Education
Names
Burnaby North High School
Object History
Mother of donor attended Burnaby North Secondary School
Notes
Annual yearbook for Burnaby North High School for the school year 1948 to 1949.
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Interview with Barry Jones by Kathy Bossort December 9, 2015 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory664
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1944-1970
Length
0:07:55
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Barry Jones’ talking about his parent's move to Burnaby in 1944, growing up on Georgia Street, his education at UBC and how he became a teacher. He also talks about his experience attending SFU in 1965/66 as a charter student in the Education Dept.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Barry Jones’ talking about his parent's move to Burnaby in 1944, growing up on Georgia Street, his education at UBC and how he became a teacher. He also talks about his experience attending SFU in 1965/66 as a charter student in the Education Dept.
Date Range
1944-1970
Length
0:07:55
Names
Simon Fraser University
Moscrop Secondary School
Subjects
Education
Occupations - Teachers
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
December 9, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Barry Jones conducted by Kathy Bossort. Barry Jones was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Barry Jones talking about his home and the conservation area on Burnaby Mountain, and about the negotiations that resulted in the agreement between Simon Fraser University and the City of Burnaby in 1995. He talks about the building of Burnaby Mountain Parkway and its link to the 1995 agreement, and about his experiences with Trans Mountain tank farm and pipeline. He also talks about his education and career as teacher, school board trustee and politician.
Biographical Notes
Barry Jones was born 1940 in Princeton, BC. His father moved the family to a home on Georgia Street in North Burnaby in 1944 where Barry grew up. He attended UBC majoring in mathematics and chemistry, and unable to find work in his field, taught two years in northern BC. He liked teaching and returned to school, enrolling in education at the newly opened Simon Fraser University in 1965. He taught one year at Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby and finished his 25 year teaching career in Coquitlam. Barry served ten years as a Burnaby School board trustee, and then ten years as North Burnaby MLA (NDP) beginning in 1986, serving five years in Official Opposition and five years in government under then-premier Mike Harcourt. During his time in government, Barry Jones successfully lobbied for freedom of information legislation. He also played a role in resolving the dispute between SFU and Burnaby over control and ownership of land on Burnaby Mountain and in creating the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area in 1995. He continues to live on Burnaby Mountain in a home he bought in 1971.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:06:23
Interviewee Name
Jones, J. Barry
Interview Location
City of Burnaby City Hall law libary
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Barry Jones

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Interview with Betty Blair by Eric Damer October 17, 2012 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory300
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1930-1970
Length
0:09:04
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's teaching of parenting effectiveness training and the role of the Parent-Teacher Association. She discusses her love for libraries and secondhand books and how she passed that on to her own children. Betty tells a story o…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's teaching of parenting effectiveness training and the role of the Parent-Teacher Association. She discusses her love for libraries and secondhand books and how she passed that on to her own children. Betty tells a story of her early political life, and of her and her mother's respect for Ernie and Harold Winch.
Date Range
1930-1970
Photo Info
Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5.
Length
0:09:04
Subjects
Education
Political Theories
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 17, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 17, 2012. Major theme discussed: life in Burnaby during the war years.
Biographical Notes
Betty Warburton (later Atkinson) (later Blair) was born in 1926 and grew up at three different locations on Frederick Avenue in Burnaby. She went to school in Burnaby; first at Kingsway West for two years, then Nelson Avenue and then Burnaby South High School where she completed senior matriculation. After graduation, Betty worked for a few years in Vancouver before marrying her first husband Don Atkinson and raising their children in Burnaby. Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair has participated in a range of activities from hiking and Girl Guides to volunteer arthritis care. By the nineteen-sixties she had began to learn pottery and take lessons at Mather House in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:59:03
Interviewee Name
Blair, Betty Warburton Atkinson
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track five of recording of interview with Betty Blair

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Interview with Charmaine Bayntun by Eric Damer October 22, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory294
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1929-2012
Length
0:09:03
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun's father and the influence he had on her in her enjoyment of school as well as on her decision to become an educator herself. She discusses her family's interest in music and gardening, and how it is closely tied to being members o…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun's father and the influence he had on her in her enjoyment of school as well as on her decision to become an educator herself. She discusses her family's interest in music and gardening, and how it is closely tied to being members of the Ukrainian Community.
Date Range
1929-2012
Photo Info
Charmaine Yanko (later Bayntun) nursing a goat from a bottle, [1969]. Item no. 549-015.
Length
0:09:03
Names
Yanko, John Ivan
Subjects
Education
Occupations - Musicians
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 22, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 22, 2012. Major themes discussed are: education and family heritage.
Biographical Notes
At the age of twenty, John Ivan Yanko met his future wife Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" Carman while visiting relatives in Burnaby. Lillian received a rail pass because of her dad’s employment with the CPR and at fourteen had gone to visit her Godmother in Burnaby. John Ivan Yanko and Lillian Doris (Carman) Yanko were married October 16, 1948 in Nelson, British Columbia and moved into the basement of John’s sister’s house on Union Street. Lillian began working at the downtown Woodward’s store as a cashier in 1948. In 1950, the young couple bought property at 7385 (later renumbered 7391) Broadway in Burnaby and began constructing a house as they could afford it. Knowing she’d be let go if she was pregnant, when Lillian was expecting her first child, Jenny sewed her several versions of the same outfit; they all used the same material, but each was a little bit larger than the last to accommodate her expanding girth. Rhonda, born in 1953 and Charmaine, born in 1955, grew up in the Broadway home. They attended school at Sperling Elementary, and later at Burnaby North high school. Lillian left her job to be a stay-at-home mom when Rhonda was born, but that changed in 1963 when John and Charmaine were in a car accident that left John temporarily unable to work. John Yanko later returned to work, establishing his own tile setting business and working until age eighty-two. John and Lillian lived out the rest of their married lives on the Broadway property. John Ivan Yanko passed away in 2010; his wife Lillian Doria Leida (Carman) Yanko passed away in 2011. Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun completed her schooling in Burnaby and became a teacher for twenty-two years, followed by ten years as a Burnaby elementary school principal.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:47:24
Interviewee Name
Bayntun, Charmaine "Sherrie" Yanko
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Charmaine Bayntun

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Interview with David Skulski

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19606
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, at…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: David Skulski Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 6 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 80 min., 38 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, attending school in New Westminster and Burnaby and Hebrew school in Vancouver. David recalls his early experiences in music, instruments that he played and describes some of his Jewish family traditions. 00:22:23 – 00:49:57 David talks about his experiences studying music at university and following his passion as a musician and oboist. He recalls his experiences of working with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra, Vancouver Society for Early Music, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, other musical ensembles and venues where he’s performed. 00:49:58 – 01:00:00 David talks about living in Burnaby in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. David describes some his experiences playing traditional music from different countries. 01:01:01 – 01:14:15 David comments on the changes that he’s seen in Burnaby over the years, some of his favourite places, activities, cultural amenities and development on the Fraser River. David talks about the Jewish community in Burnaby, his involvement with the Peretz Centre and examples of Jewish cuisine. 01:14:16 – 01:20:38 David talks about Yiddish being his first language, his language studies in Lithuania, the roots of the language and provides some examples of speaking Yiddish.
History
Interviewee biography: Murray "David" Skulski was born in 1942 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia with his parents in 1948. Skulski and his family settled in New Westminster before moving to Burnaby in the late 1950's. Skulski took piano lessons at an early age and began playing obo while attending junior high school in New Westminster. In 1960 at the age of 17 years, Skulski began performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as solo English horn and is the youngest player to ever be employed with the VSO. In 1991, Skulski started playing with the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and was the conductor between 1997 and 2004. Skulski has been the principal oboe player in many orchestras. In 1968, Skulski founded the Hortulani Musicae; in 1970, he founded the Vancouver Society for Early Music and in 1983 he founded Harmonie, an ensemble concentrating in classical wind music. In 2003, Skulski became president of the Pertez Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. In 2005, Skulski became principal oboist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and between 2009 and 2019 he was the principal oboist for the Pilgrim Orchestra under Pilwon Suk. David has served as president of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and since 2022, he’s served on the board of the Vancouver Chamber Music Society. Skulski has taught summer courses in Renaissance music in Austria (1972-1979), has been a music resident at Simon Fraser University (1973-1976), has lectured on the history of musical instruments at SFU and UBC and in 2008 began teaching at the Pacific Coast School of Music, Richmond School of Music and Oakridge Music Studios. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Foods
Music
Musical Instruments
Occupations - Musicians
Performances - Concerts
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Religions - Judaism
Names
Burnaby Symphony Orchestra
Burnaby South High School
Burquest
Skulski, Murray "David"
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Society for Early Music
Peretz Centre
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Deer Lake Park
Accession Code
BV023.16.10
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0010_003.mp3
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Interview with Eileen Kernaghan by Rod Fowler April 10, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory497
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1939-1990
Length
00:09:08
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
Date Range
1939-1990
Photo Info
Eileen Kernaghan standing in front of four poets at the Poetry Pocket Cafe in New Westminster, October 15, 1995. Item no. 535-0014
Length
00:09:08
Subjects
Education
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 10, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Eileen Kernaghan, conducted by Rod Fowler. Eileen Kernaghan was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Eileen Kernaghan’s activities with the Burnaby Writers’ Society and the Burnaby Arts Council, describing the history of these organizations between 1967 and 1990. She describes the financial and other challenges facing the arts community, the various programs initiated by the Arts Council, and the development of the Burnaby Arts Centre facilities at Deer Lake. She also talks about her education, writing career, the Neville Street neighbourhood, and her and her husband’s bookstore business. Ghosts believed to inhabit some of the Arts Centre's heritage buildings are also a topic of conversation. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Eileen Kernaghan was born January 6, 1939, to William Alfred Monk (1910-2003) and Belinda Maude Monk (1908-1996), and grew up on a dairy farm near Grindrod in the North Okanagan. She attended a two room school in Grindrod, completed Junior and Senior High School in Enderby, and at age 17 in 1956, left home to attend UBC. She taught school in the North Okanagan area in the late 1950s, during which time she married her husband Patrick Kernaghan. They moved to Vancouver in 1961, Burnaby in 1963, and settled on Neville Street in the South Slope area in 1966 with their three children. Pat Kernaghan worked at Oakalla Prison as a correctional officer until his retirement in 1988. Eileen and Patrick Kernaghan owned and operated a bookstore on Neville Street from 1987 to 1999. They later moved to New Westminster. Eileen Kernaghan began her writing career at twelve years old with a story published in the Vancouver Sun. After her youngest child began school, with more free time, she started writing again and has become an award winning author of fantasy and science fiction novels. She helped found the Burnaby Writers’ Society in 1967, taught writing workshops, and wrote its popular Newsletter for many years. In 1971 the Society put together a small handbook for BC writers, a venture that was expanded and published by Douglas MacIntyre in 1975 as “The Upper Left-Hand Corner: a writer’s handbook for the Northwest”. The book became a Canadian best-seller. During this same period Eileen Kernaghan began her successful “Grey Isles” trilogy. In 1967 she joined the Burnaby Arts Council, worked as its Coordinator from 1973 to 1984, and was a determined advocate for municipal government support for the arts in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:26:27
Interviewee Name
Kernaghan, Eileen
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Eileen Kernaghan

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Interview with Jack Davy and Thomas James Sanderson 22-Jul-75 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory87
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1931-1940
Length
0:09:36
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Jack Davy and Tommy Sanderson's memories of the apprentice system offered as an alternative to high school as well as the Depression's effect on the schools.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Jack Davy and Tommy Sanderson's memories of the apprentice system offered as an alternative to high school as well as the Depression's effect on the schools.
Date Range
1931-1940
Length
0:09:36
Subjects
Education
Interviewer
McLeod, Ross S.
Interview Date
22-Jul-75
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with two school principals who were working during the depression; John "Jack" Davy and Thomas James "Tommy" Sanderson by Ross S. McLeod. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and scholastic studies. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
John “Jack” Davy was raised in New Westminster and his family and the Eagles' family were close friends, with the grandparents and parents getting together regularly to play cards. As a child, Jack delivered the Columbian newspaper. Jack Davy worked for Burnaby schools for over fifty years; twenty-five of those years as principal at Edmonds Street School. During the depression, he worked as a principal of Kitchener Street School. Thomas James “Tommy” Sanderson was born to Ellen Jane Garvin and Thomas F. Sanderson. The couple married on January 14, 1903 at Mount Pleasant and lived first at English Bay. Tommy had an older brother, Gordon John and a sister, Flora Jane (later Rawden). The three children were raised in the Sanderson family home at 3812 Inman Avenue, one block north of Central Park. From 1919 to 1920, their father, Thomas F. Sanderson served as Reeve of Burnaby. Tommy Sanderson attended Inman Avenue School, then Kingsway West before graduating from Burnaby South High School in 1926. In 1931, he began his teaching career back at Burnaby South High School. From 1938, Tommy was principal at Sperling Avenue School. During the course of his career, he also worked as vice-principal of Edmonds Street School, principal at Capitol Hill School, Kingsway West School, McPhearson Junior High and Burnaby North High School. Tommy married Dorothy Alberta Reid of Chilliwack July 12, 1932 and had two children Robert “Bobby” and Margaret. The family first lived at 1921 Gilley Avenue, New Westminster then 2073 Waverley Avenue, Burnaby while Bobby and Margaret attended Nelson Avenue School, then Burnaby South High School.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:43:20
Interviewee Name
Davy, Jack
Sanderson, Thomas "Tommy" James
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Jack Davy and Thomas James Sanderson

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Interview with Leonard Evenden and Allen Seager by Kathy Bossort November 18, 2015 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory621
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1925-2015
Length
0:12:50
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Dr. Evenden and Dr. Seager’s description of their early years at Simon Fraser University. They talk about the challenges to commuting up and down Burnaby Mountain and the solutions people used, particularly hitchhiking. Dr. Seager talks about living in Monteci…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Dr. Evenden and Dr. Seager’s description of their early years at Simon Fraser University. They talk about the challenges to commuting up and down Burnaby Mountain and the solutions people used, particularly hitchhiking. Dr. Seager talks about living in Montecito in the 1980s. Dr. Evenden talks about the early use of Burnaby Mountain and its undeveloped state when the site for SFU was proposed in 1963.
Date Range
1925-2015
Length
0:12:50
Names
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Education
Transportation
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sperling-Broadway Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
November 18, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Dr. Leonard Evenden and Dr. Allen Seager conducted by Kathy Bossort. Leonard Evenden and Allen Seager were two of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about aspects of Simon Fraser University’s history that is related to its site on Burnaby Mountain, as told by two retired SFU professors, Dr. Evenden of the Geography Department and Dr. Seager of the Department of History. The interview ranges over campus access and housing issues created by the isolated mountain site; the relationship of the university to the local community and the dispute over land ownership and control with the City of Burnaby; SFU’s environmental stewardship; the development of UniverCity; and the future of parkland in the conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.
Biographical Notes
Dr. Leonard J. Evenden was born 1937 in Beijing, China, to parents and Salvation Army missionaries Leonard Evenden and Elsie Pearl March. Dr. Evenden attended McMaster University (B.A. 1960), University of Georgia (M.A. 1962) and University of Edinburgh (Ph.D. 1970). He was appointed to Simon Fraser University’s Department of Geography in 1966, shortly after SFU opened in the fall of 1965, and retired in 2002. Dr. Evenden’s research has focused on Canadian urban geography. He edited a collection of essays about Burnaby titled “Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby centennial themes” (1995), and directed “Voices of Burnaby”, an SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee oral history project (1992). Dr. Evenden is married with three children. Dr. Allen Seager was born 1953 in Montreal, Quebec, to parents C.F.B. Seager and Evelyn DeGex Chesam. Dr. Seager is a retired Simon Fraser University professor, being a member of SFU’s Department of History from 1981 to 2014, and has current links with SFU as an instructor for Continuing Studies. His research interests include history of Canada and Western Canada, and labour and working class history, particularly in the coal mining and railway industries. Dr. Seager moved to Burnaby and the Montecito area in 1981 where he continues to live and enjoy the hiking trails on Burnaby Mountain and the amenities at SFU. Dr. Seager is a member of the Burnaby North NDP, and has volunteered with Scouts Canada and the Burnaby Centennial Committee.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
1:11:28
Interviewee Name
Evenden, Leonard J.
Seager, Allen
Interview Location
Clubhouse at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course Restaurant
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Dr. Leonard Evenden and Dr. Allen Seager

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory474
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1939-1946
Length
00:04:30
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
Date Range
1939-1946
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:30
Subjects
Education
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Merrill Gordon

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100 records – page 2 of 5.