Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Burnaby Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark730

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Associated Dates: 1899

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Associated Dates: 1899

Heritage Value: Although Burnaby was incorporated as a municipality in 1892, its first Municipal Hall was not built until 1899 and located at Kingsway and Edmonds. It was close to the tram line on Kingsway and at the population centre of South Burnaby.

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Street Address: 7252 Kingsway

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Powerhouse

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark731

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Associated Dates: 1891

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Griffiths Avenue; Kingsway

Associated Dates: 1891

Heritage Value: Constructed in 1891 between Edmonds and Highland Park on the Central Park Interurban Line, the steam plant provided power to run the line, then operated by Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company. The steam powerhouse was replaced in 1905 by a B.C. Electric substation which was put into operation to receive and distribute power from the B.C.E.R. Buntzen Lake power dam. Prior to Burnaby having its own Municipal Hall, Council meetings were often held at the boarding house adjacent to the powerhouse and in 1892, Burnaby’s first Council meeting was held at the boarding house in 1892.

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Royal Oak Hotel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark726

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Associated Dates: 1891

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Associated Dates: 1891

Heritage Value: One of the most notorious landmarks in Burnaby was the Royal Oak Hotel, constructed around 1891 at the present-day northeast corner of Kingsway and Royal Oak. Levis Morrison built the hotel, then sold out to Charles Cridland, whose poor hotel reputation prompted Burnaby council to hire its second police constable. The hotel continued to operate until 1973 when it was demolished to build a Safeway store.

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

West Burnaby School (aka Kingsway West School)

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark727

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Associated Dates: 1896

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Associated Dates: 1896

Heritage Value: West Burnaby School was to be Burnaby's second public school and it served the children who lived along the tram line and Vancouver Road (Kingsway).

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Burnaby's first Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37100

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of council members and others sitting and standing on the steps of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Byrne family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 316-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1995-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of council members and others sitting and standing on the steps of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Buildings - Civic - City Halls

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7252 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Burnaby's first Municipal Hall, [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995 thumbnail

Canada Post drive-by tribute

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15397

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 8 May 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (27 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of a Canada Post vehicle parade doing a "Drive-By Tribute" to show their appreciation to frontline workers. A convoy of vehicles are honking horns as they drive down Kingsway in Burnaby. The parade of vehicles started by driving by Chartwell Carlton Care Residence and onto Burnaby General…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (27 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.

Scope and Content: Film clip of a Canada Post vehicle parade doing a "Drive-By Tribute" to show their appreciation to frontline workers. A convoy of vehicles are honking horns as they drive down Kingsway in Burnaby. The parade of vehicles started by driving by Chartwell Carlton Care Residence and onto Burnaby General Hospital, Adanac Park Lodge, Taylor Manor and Fellburn Care Centre. A group of people are gathered on the sidewalk, ringing bells and holding red hearts.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Public Services - Health Services; Events - Parades; Pandemics - COVID-19

Names: Canada Post

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Accession Code: BV021.2.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 8 May 2020

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Video

Canada Post drive-by tribute, 8 May 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0002_0019_001.mp4

Cash till line up

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95107

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of shoppers in the checkout lines at Save-On-Foods grocery store at the Old Orchard Shopping Centre. On the floor are red decals indicating where shoppers should stand to maintain distance from one another. The decals read: "Allow 2M between shoppers".

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 623-025

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of shoppers in the checkout lines at Save-On-Foods grocery store at the Old Orchard Shopping Centre. On the floor are red decals indicating where shoppers should stand to maintain distance from one another. The decals read: "Allow 2M between shoppers".

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

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Snowdon, Nick

Notes: Transcribed title; Photographer's caption: "Physical distancing signs become common in most stores"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4429 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Images

Cash till line up, April 27, 2020 thumbnail

Central Park Presbyterian Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36673

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1896 (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 14.9 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of Central Park Presbyterian Church. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "The Original Presbyterian Church on Westminster Road at Central Park as in approx. 1896. Burned down and rebuilt. Mrs. P. Oben."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1896 (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 14.9 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 315-028

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1994-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of Central Park Presbyterian Church. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "The Original Presbyterian Church on Westminster Road at Central Park as in approx. 1896. Burned down and rebuilt. Mrs. P. Oben."

Subjects: Buildings - Religious - Churches

Names: Central Park Presbyterian Church

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Westminster Avenue; Kingsway

Street Address: 3777 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Images

Central Park Presbyterian Church, 1896 (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail

Cheap Gas during Covid Pandemic

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95087

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of a Chevron Gas Station sign advertising gas for 85.9 cents per litre. The Chevron station is located at 6138 Kingsway.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 623-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2020-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of a Chevron Gas Station sign advertising gas for 85.9 cents per litre. The Chevron station is located at 6138 Kingsway.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Asbia, Cher

Notes: Transcribed title; Photographer's caption: "Huge drop in gas prices for a few weeks only"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 6138 Kingsway

Planning Study Area: Clinton-Glenwood Area

Images

Cheap Gas during Covid Pandemic, April 27, 2020 thumbnail

Coin Counting Machine

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95117

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of a coin counter at Vancity Credit Union on Kingsway. Signs taped to the machine state that the machine is closed due to COVID-19 health warnings.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 27, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 623-035

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of a coin counter at Vancity Credit Union on Kingsway. Signs taped to the machine state that the machine is closed due to COVID-19 health warnings.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Peterman, Randall

Notes: Transcribed title

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 5064 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Coin Counting Machine, May 27, 2020 thumbnail

Crystal Mall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95119

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 25, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of an empty food court at Crystal Mall. All tables are closed off with caution tape and the restaurants are closed.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: March 25, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 623-037

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of an empty food court at Crystal Mall. All tables are closed off with caution tape and the restaurants are closed.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Malls

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cheung, Ray

Notes: Transcribed title

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4500 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Deer Lake parking lot off limits

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95113

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 26, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Deer Lake Park parking lot at the Royal Oak entrance. The entrance to the lot is blocked off with two orange traffic barriers. In the distance, a sign detailing a temporary one-way walking route for the park and a man walking into the park are visible.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 26, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Photographic Society fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff)

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 623-031

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Deer Lake Park parking lot at the Royal Oak entrance. The entrance to the lot is blocked off with two orange traffic barriers. In the distance, a sign detailing a temporary one-way walking route for the park and a man walking into the park are visible.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Automobile Parking Lots

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Snowdon, Nick

Notes: Transcribed title; Photographer's caption: "Deer Lake parking lots are blocked off for a few months"

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Deer Lake parking lot off limits, June 26, 2020 thumbnail

Edison Road Power House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36086

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1893 (date of original), copied November 26, 1975

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 14 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edison Road Power House, of the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co. Ltd., the first electric interurban street railway in North America. This power house stood between Vancouver Road (Kingsway) and the line to Vancouver. (Edison Road is now Griffiths Avenue).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1893 (date of original), copied November 26, 1975

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Columbian Newspaper subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 14 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 222-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1989-19

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Edison Road Power House, of the Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co. Ltd., the first electric interurban street railway in North America. This power house stood between Vancouver Road (Kingsway) and the line to Vancouver. (Edison Road is now Griffiths Avenue).

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial - Powerhouses; Transportation - Electric Railroads

Names: Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Griffiths Avenue; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Edison Road Power House, 1893 (date of original), copied November 26, 1975 thumbnail

Gilley Brothers Logging team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38561

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1895]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 28 x 35.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a team of horses crossing a plank bridge with cleared trees and forest in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1895]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 28 x 35.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 461-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a team of horses crossing a plank bridge with cleared trees and forest in the background.

Subjects: Transportation - Horses; Industries - Forestry; Industries - Logging/lumber

Names: Gilley Brothers Logging Company

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; A note on the back of item no. 379-001 (the copy print to this original reads: "Logging operation at Kingsway and Gilley Avenue carried on by Gilley Brothers before the turn of the century."

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Gilley Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Gilley Brothers Logging team, [1895] thumbnail

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 Joanne Smith

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19601

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa t…

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: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Joanne Smith Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 24:55 Photograph information: Joanne and Stanis Smith cycling on the Salt Flats, Argentina Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa to Canada in 1986. Joanne explains that they decided to leave South Africa during the Apartheid era and applied to several countries with Canada being their top choice. Joanne relates that they were accepted to Canada based on her professional skills as an occupational therapist. Joanne talks about what she liked about living in South Africa and how she especially loved walking in the game reserves. 04:05 - 11:44 Joanne provides background on her ancestors migration, her life in South Africa and details on her profession. Joanne imparts that her ancestors immigrated to South Africa from Latvia at the turn of the century to avoid conscription and for increased opportunities. Joanne provides a brief overview of her life in South Africa, places that she lived and her education. Joanne provides details and background regarding her practice as an occupational therapist. Joanne explains how she specializes in hand therapy but also works with animals and other varied treatments. 11:45 - 19:29 Joanne talks about her life in Burnaby. Joanne recollects how her family ended up living in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and provides a brief overview of her community involvement including the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Community Advisory Committee. Joanne shares some of her interests including; riding her tandem bicycle with her husband Stanis, thier love of opera and the symphony, attending concerts in Deer Lake Park and visiting Confederation with her grandchild. Joanne conveys that they like to support the local arts and that they commissioned a twig sculpture for their garden from local artist, Nickie Lewis. 19:30 - 24:55 Joanne shares that ten years after immigrating that they were able to bring family relations including Stanis' parents and brother. Joanne describes the benefits of having Stanis' parents residing with them and provides details on Stanis' parents community involvement in Burnaby. Joanne reflects on her association with her Jewish heritage. Joanne conveys that they aren’t religious but have maintained a few cultural aspects of their Jewish heritage including celebrating bat mitzvahs for both of their daughters and the importance of the Yiddish language. Joanne reflects on what she likes about living in Burnaby and how it’s changed over the 30 years that she’s lived here.

History: Interviewee biography: Joanne was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1958 and also spent some time in Klerksdorp and Johannesburg. Her formal education led to a career in occupational therapy, specializing in hand therapy. Uncomfortable with the social and political climate of South Africa at the time, she and her husband Stanis left for Canada in 1986. They soon settled in North Burnaby, where Joanne had a long-time friend, to pursue their respective careers and raise a family. The Smiths brought Stanis’s parents to Burnaby about 1996 and together built a new home. Joanne has been involved in school and community activities, enjoys Burnaby’s parks, and supports local fine arts, particularly music and performing arts. 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: Persons - Jewish Canadians; Migration; Religions - Judaism; Geographic Features - Parks; Arts; Performances; Performances - Concerts; Sports - Cycling

Names: Smith, Joanne; Smith, Stanis

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park; Confederation Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0005_002

Audio Tracks

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0005_003.mp3

Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …

1 image 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) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min 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 credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.

History: Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Migration; Pandemics - COVID-19; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions - Sikhism; Social Issues; Social Issues - Discrimination; Social Issues - Racism; Sports; Sports - Martial Arts; Sports - Wrestling; Sports - Ice Hockey; Travel

Names: The Bollywood Boyz; Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"; Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"; Sihra, Harjeet; Sihra, Parveen; World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"; Moscrop Secondary School; Marlborough Elementary School; Metrotown

Responsibility: Rajdeep

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Photographer: World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0012_003.mp3

Kingsview Apartments

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98669

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2022

Collection/Fonds: Disappearing Burnaby collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance and exterior of Kingsview Apartments, an apartment building located at 6187 Kingsway. The photograph depicts the building at night and in the rain. The hallways and stairwells of the three-storey apartment building are illuminated. The building was constructed in 1977.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 2022

Collection/Fonds: Disappearing Burnaby collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 634-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2022-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of the entrance and exterior of Kingsview Apartments, an apartment building located at 6187 Kingsway. The photograph depicts the building at night and in the rain. The hallways and stairwells of the three-storey apartment building are illuminated. The building was constructed in 1977.