Narrow Results By
Decade
- 2020s 66
- 2010s 67
- 2000s 677
- 1990s 334
- 1980s
- 1970s 459
- 1960s
- 1950s 239
- 1940s 237
- 1930s 233
- 1920s 245
- 1910s 176
- 1900s
- 1890s 33
- 1880s 19
- 1870s 6
- 1860s 6
- 1850s 3
- 1840s 2
- 1830s
- 1820s 1
- 1810s 1
- 1800s 1
- 1790s 1
- 1780s 1
- 1770s 1
- 1760s 1
- 1750s 1
- 1740s 1
- 1730s 1
- 1720s 1
- 1710s 1
- 1700s 1
- 1690s 1
- 1680s 1
- 1670s 1
- 1660s 1
- 1650s 1
- 1640s 1
- 1630s 1
- 1620s 1
- 1610s 1
- 1600s 1
All persons whose fences are built within the lines of a road allowance should be alled upon to enter into an agreement with the Corporation re Fence Lines
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport76670
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 75296
- Meeting Date
- 28-Oct-1905
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 75296
- Meeting Date
- 28-Oct-1905
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Craft Markets - Budget and Craft Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription56412
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Arts Council subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 39840
- Accession Number
- BHS1998-06
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Craft Markets - Craft Persons, Budget and Entertainment
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription56421
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Arts Council subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 39849
- Accession Number
- BHS1998-06
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Health Services Benefits to Unemployed Employable Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport40246
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 35642
- Meeting Date
- 23-Jan-1961
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 4
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 35642
- Meeting Date
- 23-Jan-1961
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 4
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Motorized Conveyances for Handicapped Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport16096
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 9476
- Meeting Date
- 9-Sep-1985
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 55
- Item No.
- 1
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 9476
- Meeting Date
- 9-Sep-1985
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 55
- Item No.
- 1
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Motorized Conveyances for Handicapped Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport16196
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 9323
- Meeting Date
- 15-Jul-1985
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 48
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 9323
- Meeting Date
- 15-Jul-1985
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 48
- Item No.
- 9
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Procedures Followed by the Corporation in Allowing Persons to Vote
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport35805
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 31183
- Meeting Date
- 31-Jan-1966
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 31183
- Meeting Date
- 31-Jan-1966
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Provision of Accommodation for Physically Disabled Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport12663
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 8220
- Meeting Date
- 21-Aug-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 53
- Item No.
- 13
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 8220
- Meeting Date
- 21-Aug-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 53
- Item No.
- 13
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Provision of Accommodation for Physically Disabled Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport12742
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 8191
- Meeting Date
- 24-Jul-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 49
- Item No.
- 6
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 8191
- Meeting Date
- 24-Jul-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 49
- Item No.
- 6
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Provision of Accommodation for Physically Disabled Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport13119
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 12022
- Meeting Date
- 6-Mar-1989
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 12022
- Meeting Date
- 6-Mar-1989
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Provision of Accommodation for Physically Disabled Persons
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport13247
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 7867
- Meeting Date
- 23-Jan-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 7
- Item No.
- 18
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 7867
- Meeting Date
- 23-Jan-1989
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 7
- Item No.
- 18
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Dr. William & Ruth Baldwin House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark534
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The Dr. William & Ruth Baldwin House is a two-storey modern post-and-beam structure, located on the southern shore of Deer Lake in Burnaby's Deer Lake Park. The site is steeply sloped, and the main entrance of the house is at the top of the slope facing onto Deer Lake Drive.
- Associated Dates
- 1965
- Formal Recognition
- Community Heritage Register
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Drive
- Associated Dates
- 1965
- Formal Recognition
- Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Council Resolution
- Enactment Date
- 26/05/2003
- Description
- The Dr. William & Ruth Baldwin House is a two-storey modern post-and-beam structure, located on the southern shore of Deer Lake in Burnaby's Deer Lake Park. The site is steeply sloped, and the main entrance of the house is at the top of the slope facing onto Deer Lake Drive.
- Heritage Value
- The Baldwin House is valued as a prime example of Burnaby’s post-Second World War modern heritage and progressive architectural style, as well as for its personal connections to internationally-acclaimed architect, Arthur Erickson. Inspired by the modern domestic idiom established earlier in the twentieth century by Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra, Erickson conceived his architecture as responding directly to the site. A cohesive expression of simple orthogonal lines and ultimate transparency, this structure reduces the idea of post-and-beam West Coast modernism to its most refined elements. A fine example of the evolving talent of Erickson’s earlier work, this house is a landmark modern house in Burnaby and is unique in terms of siting and context. Having just won the 1963 competition for the new Simon Fraser University in Burnaby with his partner, Geoff Massey, and having built fewer than half a dozen homes previously, Erickson’s reputation was growing and his skill as a designer of modern buildings was in great demand. The same year that Erickson/Massey Architects designed SFU, Dr. William Baldwin and his wife, Ruth, personal friends of Erickson, commissioned him to design this house. Erickson was already familiar with the site; as a child he had spent time at this spot when his family visited friends who lived on Deer Lake. Both the Baldwin House and the university were completed in 1965. SFU became internationally famous; the Baldwin House was also considered an architectural success and was recognized in publications of the time. Only a single storey of this two-storey house is visible from the road, as it is built into the hillside in response to its steep site and proximity to Deer Lake. Like many other Erickson designs, this structure was conceived as a pavilion. Constructed of glass and wood, its transparency facilitates visual access to the lake’s edge, acting as an invitation, rather than a barrier, to the landscape. The house blends into the natural surroundings and the site includes other man-made landscape features such as a reflecting pool. As a reaction to the often grey quality of light in the region, Erickson exploits flat planes of water as a source of borrowed light. The refined and purposeful design, transparency, openness of plan and adjacency to the lake combine to give the house a floating appearance at the water's edge. The concept of a floating house set within an accompanying garden was inspired, in part, by the palaces and house boats of Dal Lake in Kashmir and the famed nearby Mughal Gardens. Although Erickson never visited Dal Lake, he travelled extensively throughout India, and specifically mentions the Kashmir reference in relation to this house. There is a rich complexity of other allusions worked into the fabric of the house, unified by a feeling for the conjunction of light, water and land at this special location. Widely renowned as Canada’s most brilliant modern architect, Erickson’s reputation is important to the development and growth of modern architecture in Canada and North America.
- Defining Elements
- The elements of the Baldwin House that define its character are those materials and details which respond to the location of the building and determine the relation between landscape and building, combining to create a single cohesive site. These include its: - close proximity to water - orthogonal plan and massing, with flat tar-and-gravel roof - stepped down massing orienting the house towards the water - post-and-beam construction, with the width of the beams matched to the width of the posts - wood and glass used as primary building materials - transparency and light achieved by the abundant use of glass - large undivided sheets of single glazing - butt glazed glass corners - abundant and generous balconies, which blur the transition from interior to exterior - horizontal flush cedar siding - use of salvaged brick for chimneys - use of chains as downspouts - built-in rooftop barbeque - built in furniture and fittings dating to the time of construction, such as original hardware, benches, bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets - landscaped site including reflecting pool, plantings and a dock protruding into the lake
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Function
- Primary Current--Single Dwelling
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 011-946-032 and P.I.D. No. 011-946-067
- Boundaries
- The Baldwin House is comprised of two municipally-owned lots located at 6543 and 6545 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby.
- Area
- 6,070.20
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- Canadian Architectural Archives, University of Calgary, Collection: Original Plans No. ERI 4A/76.13
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Street Address
- 6543 Deer Lake Drive
Images
A group of men all raising their hands
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59151
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 20.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a meeting of people, some of whom appear to be veterans, taking a vote.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 x 20.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1486
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a meeting of people, some of whom appear to be veterans, taking a vote.
- Subjects
- Persons - Veterans
- Persons - Seniors
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on verso reads: "100% / PMT / page 7 / Burnaby / Today"
Images
Children playing dress-up
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59008
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of children and teenagers, posing in costume. The costumes appear to be for Alice in Wonderland.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1417
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of children and teenagers, posing in costume. The costumes appear to be for Alice in Wonderland.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "PMT 90% / page A-9 / Burnaby / Today / Alice"
Images
Lochdale Community School's Annual Heritage Tea
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58951
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 19 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of children serving tea and cake to two seniors at Lochdale Community School's Annual Heritage Tea.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 19 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1396
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of children serving tea and cake to two seniors at Lochdale Community School's Annual Heritage Tea.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Alysse Emergy 10 / Thelma Rebeiro / Paolo Agosti 11 / Herman Rebeiro"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Burnaby Today / A-6 / reduce 58% / Senior Citizens"
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso reads: "Senior citizens of the area were entertained Monday by students of Burnaby's Lochdale Community School as the school held its annual Heritage Tea. ABove, Alysse Emery, 10 and Paolo Agosti, 11 serve guests Thelma and Herman Rebeiro."
- Street Address
- 6990 Aubrey Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
Images
Olga Kotelko reading to girl with a broken leg
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58914
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Olga Kotelo reading or working on homework with a girl with a broken leg. The photograph is taken inside of a hospital.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1368
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Olga Kotelo reading or working on homework with a girl with a broken leg. The photograph is taken inside of a hospital.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Olga Kotelko / Sherri Echlin"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Olga / PMT 100% / page 1 / Burnaby"
Images
Seattle World's fair and McLean family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85416
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961
- Collection/Fonds
- George H.F. McLean fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 digital file ( 4 min., 23 sec ) : digital , col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of one silent, colour film segment providing glimpses of the Seattle Worlds Fair in 1961. The footage provides views of the McLean family touring the sites of the fair including the metropolitan area, the monorail, gondola, rides and architecture. The film closes with Teresa McLean …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1961
- Collection/Fonds
- George H.F. McLean fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 digital file ( 4 min., 23 sec ) : digital , col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 567-001-1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-03
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of one silent, colour film segment providing glimpses of the Seattle Worlds Fair in 1961. The footage provides views of the McLean family touring the sites of the fair including the metropolitan area, the monorail, gondola, rides and architecture. The film closes with Teresa McLean as an infant.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- McLean, George H.F.
- Notes
- Title based on content of film
- Films originated in an 8mm format and were digitized by George McLean before being donated to the CBA
Images
Video
Seattle World's fair and McLean family, 1961
Seattle World's fair and McLean family, 1961
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/567-001-1.m4v
Tea Party at an Elementary School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58945
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three children hosting two seniors at a tea party at their elementary school. One child is showing the seniors a picture while the other two serve cake and coffee.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1391
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three children hosting two seniors at a tea party at their elementary school. One child is showing the seniors a picture while the other two serve cake and coffee.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Braid, Tom
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Burnaby Today / A-7 / increase 120% / Seniors"
Images
![Child's birthday party at Dragon Inn, [196-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0019_0002_001.jpg?width=280)
Child's birthday party at Dragon Inn
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19073
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child's birthday party held at the Dragon Inn. A group of children are seated around a rectangular table. Full length drapes over windows are pulled closed behind them.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Larry Lee family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 12.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child's birthday party held at the Dragon Inn. A group of children are seated around a rectangular table. Full length drapes over windows are pulled closed behind them.
- Names
- Dragon Inn
- Accession Code
- BV022.19.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [196-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Child's birthday party at Dragon Inn, [196-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2022/2022_0019_0002_001.jpg)
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
- 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) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. 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
- Environmental Issues
- Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Housing
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - Volunteers
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Religions
- Religions - Judaism
- Names
- Schwartz, William "Bill"
- Schwartz, Ellen
- City of Burnaby
- Polestar Communications
- British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3