Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Commercial building.

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12771

Enactment Date: 19/04/2010

Description: Commercial building.

Heritage Value: While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.

Locality: Vancouver Heights

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Community: Burnaby

Names: Helen's Childrens Wear

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Street Address: 4142 Hastings Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign at night, 2010 (View from the west. Other). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. . thumbnail

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign from the east, 2013. thumbnail

BBY-4142-Hastings-c1975-502-1441 thumbnail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - Archives; Buildings - Civic - Museums

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_7.mp3

North Burnaby High School Graduates 1954

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription163

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bil…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 36.5 x 58.5 cm mounted on board 76 x 101.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of North Burnaby High School in 1954 with all names of graduates scripted on mounting board by E.Skrypec. Row 1: L. Fox, S. Johnson, R. Larson, B. Milaney, J. Watson, D. Spring, G. Calder, J. Forester, A. Nash, J. McGiveron, M. Meikle, T. Brooks, J. Meikle, S. Hill, B. Bilson, F. Stewart, M. Slavin, H. Trayling, B. Bourne, M. Mothe, M. Bazylevich, S. Yorston, E. Underwood, S. Sandberg, A. Craig, A. Holzman, M. Cranston, W. Pendygrasse and L. Holland. Row 2: S. Willimas, S. Anderson, G. Burgess, I. Radill, J. Jopling, J. Wong, K. McNicol, D. Gallie, W. Brigden, I. Frank, J. Elliott, P. Wooldard, D. Drummond, E. Murray, K. Nelson, B. Smith, J. Purser, D. Lister, N. Husband, A. Ryder and G. Olafson. Row 3: B. Beaumont, W. Judyski, B. Chamberland, R. Dyck, H. Lunow, R. Morris, N. Trtan, S. Gill, K. Elliott, D. Demchuk, D. Wilson, H. Philbrook, D. Connorton, D. Panton, G. Monk, G. Kubicek, J. Christian, H. Pendygrasse, D. Norman and H. Peterson. Row 4: C. Allen, J. MacDonald, H. Siddoo, G. Boyd, G. Norgard, P. Iannucci, R. McDonnell, B. Mills, R. Ostby, K. Bennett, F. McAuley, G. Topham, G. Clapp, H. Rink, T. Scuffi, B. Dolman, L. Armstrong, W. Cross, E. Matiash and B. Miles. Row 5: V. Cinnamon, T. Saunders, E. Skrypec, S. Bonettemaker, G. Barr, W. Greba, B. Asleson, B. Launder, F. Punko, J. Maxwell, J. McTaggart, D. Allen, W. Plevy, J. Bailey and R. Zacharias.

Subjects: Persons - Students; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Events; Buildings - Schools; Persons - South Asian Canadians

Names: Siddoo, Hardev; Wong, Jessie; Burnaby North High School

Geographic Access: Pandora Street

Street Address: 4375 Pandora Street

Accession Code: BV985.30.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item

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

Building fatigue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36566

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of "BUILDING FATIGUE" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of "BUILDING FATIGUE" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title taken from caption given to photograph in original pamphlet; Photographs copies of originals used in "UNITE BURNABY" pamphlet which asked citizens to "VOTE YES" to the construction of a new Municipal Hall in Burnaby

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interior of the Burnaby Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36568

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of secretaries working inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of secretaries working inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Interior of the Burnaby Municipal Hall, 1952 thumbnail

Municipal Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55631

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1956 Burnaby Municipal Council in Council Chambers at Burnaby Municipal Hall. Identified in the photograph are (starting at centre, forefront and moving clockwise): Gerald Charlton, Fred Philps, Wesley Morrison, Arnold Hean, Ted Ward (Deputy Municipal Clerk), John Shaw (Municipal…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-025

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1956 Burnaby Municipal Council in Council Chambers at Burnaby Municipal Hall. Identified in the photograph are (starting at centre, forefront and moving clockwise): Gerald Charlton, Fred Philps, Wesley Morrison, Arnold Hean, Ted Ward (Deputy Municipal Clerk), John Shaw (Municipal Clerk), Reeve Charles MacSorley (in the back), two unkown members of staff, Samuel Hughes, William Philps and Doug Drummond.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - City Clerks; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Charlton, Gerald; Philps, Fred; Morrison, Wesley; Hean, Arnold F.C.; Ward, Ted; Shaw, John Horace "Jack"; MacSorley, Charles W.; Hughes, Samuel E.; Philps, William P.; Drummond, John D. "Doug"

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cunningham, W.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographer's stamp on verso; Notes on verso identify the people in the photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Over-crowded general office

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36565

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "OVER-CROWDED GENERAL OFFICE" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "OVER-CROWDED GENERAL OFFICE" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title taken from caption given to photograph in original pamphlet; Photographs copies of originals used in "UNITE BURNABY" pamphlet which asked citizens to "VOTE YES" to the construction of a new Municipal Hall in Burnaby

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Over-crowded general office, 1952 thumbnail

Over-crowded police quarters

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36567

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "OVER-CROWDED POLICE QUARTERS" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "OVER-CROWDED POLICE QUARTERS" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title taken from caption given to photograph in original pamphlet; Photographs copies of originals used in "UNITE BURNABY" pamphlet which asked citizens to "VOTE YES" to the construction of a new Municipal Hall in Burnaby

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Over-crowded police quarters, 1952 thumbnail

Plan filing room. Fire hazard???

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36570

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "PLAN FILING ROOM [believed to be a] FIRE HAZZARD [sic]???" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-013

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of the "PLAN FILING ROOM [believed to be a] FIRE HAZZARD [sic]???" inside the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title taken from caption given to photograph in original pamphlet; Photographs copies of originals used in "UNITE BURNABY" pamphlet which asked citizens to "VOTE YES" to the construction of a new Municipal Hall in Burnaby

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Plan filing room. Fire hazard???, 1952 thumbnail

Staff using Council Chamber

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36564

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of "STAFF USING COUNCIL CHAMBER" at the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Archie Miller subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 296-007

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1992-36

Scope and Content: Photograph of "STAFF USING COUNCIL CHAMBER" at the second Burnaby Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dibble, Bob

Notes: Title taken from caption given to photograph in original pamphlet; Photographs copies of originals used in "UNITE BURNABY" pamphlet which asked citizens to "VOTE YES" to the construction of a new Municipal Hall in Burnaby

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Staff using Council Chamber, 1952 thumbnail

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory538

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1950-1990

Length: 00:06:16

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.

Date Range: 1950-1990

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:06:16

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial; Buildings - Civic; Buildings - Industrial; Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood); Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood); Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood); Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area; Lake City Area; Burnaby Mountain Area; Kingsway-Beresford Area; Douglas-Gilpin Area

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%202.mp3

Class reunion 1912-22

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97966

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [bewteen 1940 and 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 cm x 18 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a school reunion for the class of 1912-1922. Former students, wearing name tags, sit in the desks of a classroom. The school is unidentified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [bewteen 1940 and 1960]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Easthope family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 cm x 18 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 451-033

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2003-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of a school reunion for the class of 1912-1922. Former students, wearing name tags, sit in the desks of a classroom. The school is unidentified.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Writing in white on verso of photograph reads: "[illegible] School class 1912-22"

Images

Class reunion 1912-22, [bewteen 1940 and 1960] thumbnail

Douglas Road school class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19005

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road School grade six class. Edith Fleming is one of the students pictured and the teacher is identified as Sydney Herbert Price (far right, 3rd row). The students are arranged into five rows on the steps outside of the entrance to the school.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Series: Waplington and Fleming families album series

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road School grade six class. Edith Fleming is one of the students pictured and the teacher is identified as Sydney Herbert Price (far right, 3rd row). The students are arranged into five rows on the steps outside of the entrance to the school.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Douglas Road School; Price, Sydney Herbert

Accession Code: BV016.46.162

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1950]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-01-06

Photographer: Layton

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Item is part of Photograph album BV016.46.52

Images

Douglas Road school class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19006

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1951]

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road School grade seven class. Edith Fleming is one of the students pictured and the teacher is identified as John Scott (far right, top row). The students are arranged into three rows on the steps outside of the entrance to the school.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Series: Waplington and Fleming families album series

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road School grade seven class. Edith Fleming is one of the students pictured and the teacher is identified as John Scott (far right, top row). The students are arranged into three rows on the steps outside of the entrance to the school.

Subjects: Persons - Students

Names: Douglas Road School

Accession Code: BV016.46.163

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1951]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-01-06

Photographer: Layton

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Item is part of Photograph album BV016.46.52; Handwritten signatures of students on verso of photograph

Images

Douglas Road school class, [1951] thumbnail

Grade 1 Christmas concert at Sussex School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21400

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: Dec. 1959

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of five students of Sussex Elementary School dressed in costumes for a Christmas Concert. The students are in front of a Christmas tree inside a classroom. Bob Rogers is identified standing on the far left.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Rogers fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of five students of Sussex Elementary School dressed in costumes for a Christmas Concert. The students are in front of a Christmas tree inside a classroom. Bob Rogers is identified standing on the far left.

Subjects: Persons - Students; Performances - Dramatic Performances; Holidays - Christmas

Names: Sussex Avenue School; Rogers, Robert "Bob"

Accession Code: BV024.8.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: Dec. 1959

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-03-26

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Grade 1 Christmas Concert at / Sussex School / Left to Right. Back Row / Bob Rogers, Lorne Patterson / Front Row: John Ashbee, Bruce Church / Not sure of third person"; Note in coloured pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Lorne / Daren / Johnny / Bobby"; Date stamp on bottom recto of photograph reads: "DEC_59"

Images

Grade 1 Christmas concert at Sussex School, Dec. 1959 thumbnail

North Burnaby High School graduating class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13404

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1959

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of Burnaby North High School. A large group of over one hundred and fifty students are dressed in formal attire and posed inside a gymnasium during the graduation ceremony and dinner. The women appear to be wearing prom dresses while the men are dressed in suits. David Morga…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of graduates of Burnaby North High School. A large group of over one hundred and fifty students are dressed in formal attire and posed inside a gymnasium during the graduation ceremony and dinner. The women appear to be wearing prom dresses while the men are dressed in suits. David Morgan is identified standing in the fifth row from the bottom, fifth from the left.

History: In 1922 the Burnaby North High School opened at its first permanent location (4375 Pandora Street - which is now Rosser Elementary). In 1945, the Willingdon Avenue site was built and was used until a new building was constructed in 1961 on Hammarskjold Drive. From 1962, the school was used as Burnaby Heights Junior High school, but it closed in 1982 and the junior high students went to the new Burnaby North on Hammarskjold.