Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Photograph proof of young Jimmy Chow (right) seated together with a young friend named Guo Dong [sic], son of Yin. Photograph is taken in an unidentifed photograph studio and is appears to be handcoloured.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Series: Jimmy Chow family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 13.5 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph proof of young Jimmy Chow (right) seated together with a young friend named Guo Dong [sic], son of Yin. Photograph is taken in an unidentifed photograph studio and is appears to be handcoloured.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - Children

Names: Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"

Accession Code: BV022.21.41

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1950]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-03-03

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten notes in blue ink are written in Traditional Chinese on lower recto of photograph. Notes translated to English and transliterated into Mandarin pinyin read: "" (right) "Little Min" (The word comes from Jimmy's Chinese name Hip'man'). (left) "Guo Dong(?), the son of Yin" (translates to Silver, the name of a woman).; Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.

Images

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…

1 image 1 document 1 audio

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

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

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

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4533

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:07 min)

Scope and Content: Track 3: This portion of the recording continues with Ken’s band activities, and then pertains to the games Ken played with his brother and friends. Ken discusses how the school band’s repertoire and performances were designed to complement the school’s events throughout the year. He describes the …

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Growing Up in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:06:07 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Ken Yip Date of interview: May 9, 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 5 Total length of all Tracks: 0:62:00

Scope and Content: Track 3: This portion of the recording continues with Ken’s band activities, and then pertains to the games Ken played with his brother and friends. Ken discusses how the school band’s repertoire and performances were designed to complement the school’s events throughout the year. He describes the concert the band was invited to play on the lawn of Ceperley House on their return from Expo 67. Ken recalls the games he and his brother played, and the two neighbor boys they played with. He describes playing on the North American Peat property adjacent to theirs, in the peat trenches and in the bush. He talks of roaming as far as New Westminster and the Fraser River.

History: Recording of an interview with Ken Yip recording by Tom Gooden on May 9, 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1950s and 60s.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - Children; Education; Organizations - Bands

Names: Yip, Ken

Accession Code: BV017.45.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ken Yip May 9, 2005 - Track 3, 1950s & 1960s (interview content), interviewed May 9, 2005

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0005_003.mp3

Little boy in shorts

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9545

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca.1940]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; hand-coloured ; 17.5 cm x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Studio portrait of an unidentified little boy of Chinese descent. The boy has short, dark hair and is wearing a white, short-sleeved, collared shirt tucked into a pair of dark blue knee-length shorts. He is wearing white open toe sandals. The boy is standing in front of a painted garden backdrop …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; hand-coloured ; 17.5 cm x 12.5 cm

Material Details: On the back side of the photograph is the number "2232" written in pencil.

Scope and Content: Studio portrait of an unidentified little boy of Chinese descent. The boy has short, dark hair and is wearing a white, short-sleeved, collared shirt tucked into a pair of dark blue knee-length shorts. He is wearing white open toe sandals. The boy is standing in front of a painted garden backdrop on a pink, green and yellow floral carpet.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - Children

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Accession Code: BV017.7.355

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [ca.1940]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 17-Apr-2018

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Little boy in shorts, [ca.1940] thumbnail

Students at the Chinese school in New Westminster

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14785

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : b&w ; 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of Chinese Canadian students standing on the stairs of the Chinese School in New Westminster. Frank and Emma Wong (members of the Quinn Wong family) are identified standing in the bottom left corner of the photograph and elder sister, Jessie Wong is identified standing in the …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Series: Lee family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : b&w ; 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of Chinese Canadian students standing on the stairs of the Chinese School in New Westminster. Frank and Emma Wong (members of the Quinn Wong family) are identified standing in the bottom left corner of the photograph and elder sister, Jessie Wong is identified standing in the middle of the photograph. Members of the Kong family of Fraser Mills also appear in the photograph including Alice, Dorothy and Lea Kong along with members of the New Westminster Quan family. The front porch is decorated with bunting and includes a sign that reads "The Chinese Benevolent Association" along with a British flag and a flag of the Republic of China.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Persons - Students; Buildings - Schools

Names: Wong, Quinn; The Chinese Benevolent Association; Kong, Alice; Kong, Dorothy; Kong, Lea; Wong, Frank; Wong, Emma; Wong, Jessie

Geographic Access: New Westminster

Accession Code: BV020.38.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [195-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 26-Nov-2019

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Students at the Chinese school in New Westminster, [195-] thumbnail

Woman with two boys

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9547

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [ca. 1950]

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentifed woman of Chinese descent standing with two unidentified young boys of Asian descent. The woman, in her late thirties or early forties, is dressed in a dark-coloured, long-sleeved, pant suit with black flat shoes and a black hand bag on her right hand. She has light col…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds

Series: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm

Material Details: On the back side of the photograph is the number "197" and Chinese characters "[…]" written in pencil, vertically.

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentifed woman of Chinese descent standing with two unidentified young boys of Asian descent. The woman, in her late thirties or early forties, is dressed in a dark-coloured, long-sleeved, pant suit with black flat shoes and a black hand bag on her right hand. She has light coloured turtleneck shirt underneath. The older, taller boy, on her right, has a dark pin-striped, double breasted suit with dark long pants and black, laced shoes. The younger boy has a lighter pin-striped, double breasted suit with dark long pants and black, laced shoes. The background shows a paneled divider on the left and an opening with heavy, dark drapes on the right.

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Persons - Children

Names: Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company

Accession Code: BV017.7.357

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [ca. 1950]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 17-Apr-2018

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Woman with two boys, [ca. 1950] thumbnail

Aerial View of Chinese Market Gardens on Marine Drive

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4296

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication)

Collection/Fonds: Herbert Yee Law family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph is an aerial view looking south over the Chinese Market Gardens along Marine Drive in the Big Bend area of Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Herbert Yee Law family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph is an aerial view looking south over the Chinese Market Gardens along Marine Drive in the Big Bend area of Burnaby.

Subjects: Agriculture - Crops; Agriculture - Farms; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Aerial Photographs

Names: Chinese Market Gardens

Geographic Access: Marine Drive

Accession Code: BV017.40.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication)

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 11/19/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Aerial View of Chinese Market Gardens on Marine Drive, [between 1950 and 1959] (date of original), 2017 (date of duplication) thumbnail

Artist Bud Sakamoto

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96368

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2003]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of artist Bud Sakamoto posing next to his painting of a seascape of commercial fishing on the Fraser River, as promotion for the exhibition "Natural Reflections" with Pat Maertz at the Burnaby Arts Council Gallery.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2003]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2049

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of artist Bud Sakamoto posing next to his painting of a seascape of commercial fishing on the Fraser River, as promotion for the exhibition "Natural Reflections" with Pat Maertz at the Burnaby Arts Council Gallery.

Subjects: Exhibitions; Occupations - Artists; Arts - Paintings; Persons - Japanese Canadians

Names: Burnaby Arts Council

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Bud Sakamoto's stormy seascapes of commercial fishing on the Fraser River are part of Natural Reflections, a joint show with Pat Maertz, at the Burnaby Arts Council Gallery in Deer Lake Park. Sakamoto's paintings capture the vivid memories of his own family's life on the river. The show runs until March 30."

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6344 Deer Lake Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Cecil and Julie Lee family portrait

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4078

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 2000 and 2006]

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Cecil and Julie Lee's extended family posing for studio portait; top row (L-R): Cecil (Chue Kan) Lee, Julie Cho Chan Lee; middle row (L-R): Rodney Lee holding Ethan and Tyler Lee, Darin Lee, Sandra Lee holding baby Aiden Lee; bottom row: Suey Ying Jung (Laura).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Series: Lee family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpg) : col. ; 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Cecil and Julie Lee's extended family posing for studio portait; top row (L-R): Cecil (Chue Kan) Lee, Julie Cho Chan Lee; middle row (L-R): Rodney Lee holding Ethan and Tyler Lee, Darin Lee, Sandra Lee holding baby Aiden Lee; bottom row: Suey Ying Jung (Laura).

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Lee, Julie Cho Chan; Lee, Chue Kan "Cecil"; Lee, Rodney; Lee, Ethan; Lee, Tyler; Lee, Darin; Lee, Sandra; Lee, Aiden; Jung, Suey Ying "Laura"

Accession Code: BV017.24.31

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 2000 and 2006]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 300

Scan Date: 01-Oct-2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Cecil and Julie Lee family portrait, [between 2000 and 2006] thumbnail

Chan Kow Hong posing in front of a house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4252

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950] (date of original), copied 2017

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Chan Kow Hong seated, posing in front of a house. House and fence evident in background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Chan Kow Hong seated, posing in front of a house. House and fence evident in background.

History: Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Hop On Farms; Hong, Chan Kow

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV017.36.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1950] (date of original), copied 2017

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Related Material: See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Chan Kow Hong posing in front of a house, [1950] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail

Chan Kow Hong with tray of seedlings at Hop-On Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4258

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [March 1959] (date of original), copied 2017

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Chan Kow Hong wearing a cap and farm boots, standing with tray of seedlings for planting at Hop-On Farm. Farm buildings evident in background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Chan Kow Hong wearing a cap and farm boots, standing with tray of seedlings for planting at Hop-On Farm. Farm buildings evident in background.

History: Seedlings were often sprouted in greenhouse in a "starter box" (wooden box with glass over top) before being transferred to field. Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Hop On Farms

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV017.36.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [March 1959] (date of original), copied 2017

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Related Material: See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1

Scan Resolution: 800

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Chan Kow Hong with tray of seedlings at Hop-On Farm, [March 1959] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail

Four men standing on ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation farmland

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4254

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1951] (date of original), copied 2017

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of four men standing in farming clothing on leased farm land of the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation. From L-R: Chan Kow Hong, Mr. Wong (Josephine Hong's uncle), Mr. Leong (Josephine Hong's uncle) and Gay Tim Hong. Planting crates evident on farmland in background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of four men standing in farming clothing on leased farm land of the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation. From L-R: Chan Kow Hong, Mr. Wong (Josephine Hong's uncle), Mr. Leong (Josephine Hong's uncle) and Gay Tim Hong. Planting crates evident on farmland in background.

History: Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong.

Subjects: Indigenous peoples - British Columbia; Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Hop On Farms; Hong, Chan Kow; Hong, Gay Tim; ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV017.36.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1951] (date of original), copied 2017

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Related Material: See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Four men standing on ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation farmland, [1951] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail

Gee Shee Jung standing on plankboard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4063

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1942 and 1952]

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : sepia ; 1200 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gee Shee Jung standing on plankboard in yard; telephone pole and small white building in background. Gee Shee Jung (1879-1952) was the mother of Suey Ying Jung (Laura).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Series: Lee family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : sepia ; 1200 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gee Shee Jung standing on plankboard in yard; telephone pole and small white building in background. Gee Shee Jung (1879-1952) was the mother of Suey Ying Jung (Laura).

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Jung, Gee Shee

Accession Code: BV017.24.16

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1942 and 1952]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 1200

Scan Date: 01-Oct-2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Gee Shee Jung standing on plankboard, [between 1942 and 1952] thumbnail

Group portrait of Yamamoto and Tamura families

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4327

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1957] (date of original), copied 2016

Collection/Fonds: Tokio and Yoshino Yamamoto family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of group portrait of the extended Yamamoto and Tamura families. Women are wearing traditional Japanese kumunos and men and boys are wearing suits. Back row (L-R): Tokio Yamamoto, Shozo Tamura, Fukusaburo Tamura, Yoichi Tamura, Yoshino Yamamoto (nee Tamura), Kenji Tamura. Back row (L-R): …

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Tokio and Yoshino Yamamoto family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of group portrait of the extended Yamamoto and Tamura families. Women are wearing traditional Japanese kumunos and men and boys are wearing suits. Back row (L-R): Tokio Yamamoto, Shozo Tamura, Fukusaburo Tamura, Yoichi Tamura, Yoshino Yamamoto (nee Tamura), Kenji Tamura. Back row (L-R): Reiko Moizumi (nee Yamamoto), Meene Tamura, Akemi Jordan (nee Yamamoto), Hana Takamura (nee Tamura). Group is posing in front of a photographer's background.

Subjects: Persons - Japanese Canadians

Names: Jordan, Akemi Yamamoto; Moizumi, Reiko Yamamoto; Takamura, Hana Tamura; Tamura, Kenji; Tamura, Fukusaburo; Tamura, Meene; Tamura, Shozo; Tamura, Yoichi; Yamamoto, Tokio; Yamamoto, Yoshino Tamura; Yamamoto family; Tamura family

Accession Code: BV016.11.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [1957] (date of original), copied 2016

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 4/24/2016

Scale: 100

Images

Group portrait of Yamamoto and Tamura families, [1957] (date of original), copied 2016 thumbnail

Hong family and neighbour child at Hop-On Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4257

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1952 or 1953] (date of original), copied 2017

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hong family and neighbour child at Hop-On Farm. From L-R: Neighbour child, Gay Tim Hong, Sui Ha Hong, Pauline Hong, Chan Kow Hong. Farm buildings evident in background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 600 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hong family and neighbour child at Hop-On Farm. From L-R: Neighbour child, Gay Tim Hong, Sui Ha Hong, Pauline Hong, Chan Kow Hong. Farm buildings evident in background.

History: Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Hop On Farms

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV017.36.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1952 or 1953] (date of original), copied 2017

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Related Material: See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Hong family and neighbour child at Hop-On Farm, [1952 or 1953] (date of original), copied 2017 thumbnail

Interview with Bill Gruenthal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…

1 document 1 audio

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) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 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 Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. 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: Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Transportation; Transportation - Rail; Religions - Judaism; Cemeteries; Organizations; Elections

Names: Gruenthal, Bill; Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow; O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal; O'Connor, John; Burquest; Jacobson, Max Alec; Temple Shalom; Brentwood Shopping Centre; Brentwood Park School; Alpha Secondary School; Burnaby School Board

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0014_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3

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…

1 document 1 audio

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

2023_0016_0010_004

Audio Tracks

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

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20395

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (41 min., 57 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (41 min., 57 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronak…

1 document 1 audio

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: 1 sound recordings (wav) (41 min., 57 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (41 min., 57 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Alex Chronakis and Georgia Chronakis Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 41:57 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronakis, including their Greek background, migration to Canada, marriage, children, Louis’ career as a mechanic and gas station owner and owning restaurants in White Rock and Burnaby. 00:08:40 - 00:13:59 Georgia and her son Alex recall the great memories of owning and operating their restaurant Mionas Taverna and share details of their family life in Burnaby and White Rock. 00:14:00 - 00:19:15 Alex and Georgia talk about Louis Chronakis' work experience and how he became involved in the restaurant business. They share their experiences of operating Minoas Taverna including their opening in 1986. 00:19:16 - 00:36:59 Alex and Georgia describe some of the foods that were on the menu of Minoas Taverna, the design of the restaurant, the Minoan history that it’s based on, memories of running the restaurant and why they decided to close. 00:37:00 – 00:41:52 Alex talks about his involvement with Greek festivals in Vancouver and Alex and Georgia reflect on their life in the future now that the restaurant has closed.

History: Interviewees biographies: Georgia Giannias Chronakis was born in Selassia, Sparta, Greece in 1941 and when she was sixteen years of age she moved to Athens. In 1964 Georgia immigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal before moving to Vancouver a few years later. In 1966, while living in Vancouver, she met and married Ilias "Louis" Chronakis who was born in Crete, Greece. Soon after marrying, Georgia and Louis Chronakis bought a house located at 3823 Kingsway and welcomed their first child, Anna. Four years later, Georgia and Louis moved to White Rock but continued to own their house on Kingsway and rented it out. While living in White Rock, they had three more children named Virginia, Alex and Ellie. Louis was a trained mechanic working independently and for various companies including CP Air, BC Ferries and Esso before deciding to get into the restaurant business. He partnered with another businessman to open a Mr. Mike's franchise and later a cafe and Greek restaurant in White Rock. In 1986, Georgia, Louis and family moved back to Burnaby and moved into a house on Sandall Street and began converting their former home on Kingsway into a restaurant which they named Minoas Greek Taverna (Minoas Taverna). They opened the restaurant on May 1, 1986, just one day before Expo '86 was opened. In 2023, after 37 years of running their restaurant they sold their business but continued to own the land and building on Kingsway. Alex Chronakis is the son of Georgia and Louis Chronakis and was born in 1972. Alex has spent time working with his family running their restaurant and has been involved in the Greek Day Festival in Vancouver. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Foods; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Mechanics; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Migration; Persons - Greek Canadians

Names: Chronakis, Alex; Chronakis, Georgia Giannias; Minoas Taverna; Chronakis, Ilias "Louis"

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Smith Avenue

Street Address: 3823 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV023.16.21

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0021_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0021_002.mp3

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…

1 document 1 audio

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: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.

History: Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Migration; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Grocers; Organizations; Organizations - Business Associations; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores

Names: Toy, Christina; Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"; Babey, Beverley; Canada Way Food Market; Fraser Merchants' Association

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4694 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV023.16.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0019_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3

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