"Arts" found 119 records | Heritage Burnaby

H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Steam Plant Building

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark528

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Buiding is a single-storey wood frame building with a gabled roof that originally housed the apparatus for climate control in the greenhouses, formerly located to its north. The original rubble stone walls that formed the fo…

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 9807

Enactment Date: 23/11/1992

Description: Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Buiding is a single-storey wood frame building with a gabled roof that originally housed the apparatus for climate control in the greenhouses, formerly located to its north. The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for the greenhouses stand adjacent. The Steam Plant Building stands as a pendant to the Root House, which is to the north of the former greenhouses.

Heritage Value: The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate. The Ceperleys operated 'Fairacres' with staff, a farm manager and workers, including Chinese, to grow produce for themselves and for sale at local markets. The Steam Plant Building illustrates the market gardening activity of the area around Deer Lake and its importance to the Ceperley family, which valued a year-round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for the kitchen and flowers for the house. It also illustrates the cultural and aesthetic values of the Ceperleys in retaining an architect to design a functional outbuilding using an accepted and contemporary architectural style. Built in 1908, the Steam Plant Building was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Building include its: - overall spatial arrangement of the Steam Plant Building in relation to the former greenhouses and the Root House - side gable roof with cedar shingle cladding. - tall brick chimney indicitive of the building's original function. - distinctive Arts and Crafts architectural features such as the shingle wall cladding with decorative shingling under window sills, deep eaves, and pebble-dashed concrete foundation walls - six-paned wooden-sash casement windows - simple functional interior features - rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for the greenhouses

Locality: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Architect: Robert Mackay Fripp

Function: Primary Historic--Outbuilding

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536

Boundaries: ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

Area: 17,065.00

Contributing Resource: Building; Landscape Feature

Ownership: Public (local)

Other Collection: Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album

Documentation: Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2

Names: Ceperley, Grace; Ceperley, H.T.; Fripp, Robert Mackay

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Agricultural - Greenhouses; Buildings - Agricultural

Street Address: 6344 Deer Lake Avenue

Images

Exterior view of the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Building, 2013. Oblique view. thumbnail

Overlynn Mansion

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark520

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Overlynn Mansion is a two and one-half storey British Arts and Crafts mansion, with an exterior composed of a massive native granite rubble-stone base surmounted by distinctive half-timbering, a hip hipped roof, a rare surviving intact interior, and elaborate landscape features including stone wall…

Associated Dates: 1909

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Charles J. Peter Mansion

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Charles J. Peter Mansion

Geographic Access: McGill Street

Associated Dates: 1909

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 10211

Enactment Date: 18/09/1995

Description: Overlynn Mansion is a two and one-half storey British Arts and Crafts mansion, with an exterior composed of a massive native granite rubble-stone base surmounted by distinctive half-timbering, a hip hipped roof, a rare surviving intact interior, and elaborate landscape features including stone walls and planted terraces. It is situated in the residential neighbourhood of Vancouver Heights, on a high point of land overlooking Burrard Inlet to the west and the mouth of Lynn Creek to the east. This prominent residence is now part of a large senior citizens development known as Seton Villa.

Heritage Value: Overlynn Mansion is valued as a superb example of the work of the noted architectural firm of Maclure and Fox. The architecture of Samuel Maclure (1860-1929) was synonymous with high quality residential design for prominent citizens in both Vancouver and Victoria. Maclure was known for his British Arts and Crafts style with meticulous attention paid to functional and beautiful interiors that utilized native wood combined with luxurious imported fittings. He was a leading exponent of the Art and Crafts design movement in B.C., and established a sophisticated local variation of residential architecture. Maclure’s Vancouver office, in association with his partner Cecil Croker Fox (1879-1916), received some sixty residential commissions between 1909-1915 as a result of the booming local economy and subsequent development of new residential districts. Maclure’s practice in Victoria was equally prolific at the time. Overlynn Mansion is valued as one of Burnaby’s oldest upper-class estates and for its association with the development of Vancouver Heights. In 1909, C.J. Peter and his employer, G.F. and J. Galt Limited, pioneered the development of Vancouver Heights in North Burnaby, believing it to be one of the most picturesque districts in area and an alternative to the CPR’s prestigious Shaughnessy Heights development in Vancouver. Buyers were obligated to build houses worth $3,500 at a time when the average house price was $1,000. Overlynn Mansion, built in 1909 for $75,000, was one of the first houses constructed in Vancouver Heights and by far the most grandiose and impressive. Additionally, this landmark residence is significant and an intact and comprehensive representation of a grand Edwardian era estate home. The interior is notably intact, and retains many highly-refined original features, including substantive millwork of exotic woods, silver-plated and nickel-plated light fixtures, fine plasterwork, tiled fireplaces and exceptional hardware. Landscape features of Overlynn Mansion include the original layout for circulation paths, a porte-cochere, granite posts and stone walls, a sandstone and iron sundial, and mature trees and shrubbery. The house was designated by Burnaby Council in 1995 and was the first heritage building in B.C. to receive legal protection for its interior features.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of Overlynn Mansion include its: - prominent corner location on a steep sloping site in the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood - views to Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains - residential form, scale and massing as exemplified by its grand two-storey plus basement height and irregular plan - British Arts and Crafts elements such as the rubble-stone granite masonry on the ground floor and foundation level, and decorative half-timbering and rough-cast stucco on the upper storey - compound hipped bell-cast roof, clad with cedar shingles, with shed dormers at the rear - subtle battering of ground floor and foundation level stonework - porte-cochere with hipped roof and battered granite piers - wood-clad projecting bay extensions - irregular fenestration: double-hung 6-over-1 wooden-sash windows; multi-pane casement wooden windows with multi-pane transoms; diamond leaded casement windows; and banks of stained glass windows - five tall rubble-stone granite block stone chimneys - interior features such as the oak, cedar and Yaka (Australian mahogany) panelled walls, oak panelling and staircase walls inlaid with ebony, ivory and brass, stenciled canvas friezes, wooden dadoes and plaster walls, encaustic floor tiles, Australian gumwood floors, oak panelled doors with art glass, oak beamed ceiling with stucco panels, cast plaster vaulted hall and living room ceilings, sterling silver light fixtures including a chandelier and scones, nickel-plated newel light, brass Art Nouveau styled ceiling light, brass stair carpet poles and locks, built-in bookcases and buffet, fireplace with encaustic tiles and fire dogs, imported Medmenham fireplace tiles (the earliest known use outside of the United Kingdom), fireplace mantel with green tile and cast iron firebox, and inglenook fireplace with encaustic tiles and carved mantel and brass fireplace insert - landscape features such as the granite gate posts and iron entrance gate, granite posts and iron fence, granite garden wall, sandstone garden steps, sandstone and iron sundial, granite and concrete terraces adjacent to the house, configuration of pathways and sandstone steps including the front access road, mature deciduous and coniferous tree stock including a Monkey Puzzle Tree and pruned shrubbery throughout the site

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Organization: G.F. and J. Galt Limited

Architect: Samuel Maclure; Cecil Croker Fox

Function: Primary Historic--Estate; Primary Current--Multiple Dwelling

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: 004-943-295

Boundaries: Overlynn Mansion is a part of a single institutional lot located at 3755 McGill Street, Burnaby.

Area: 7912.77

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Street Address: 3755 McGill Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view, 2013.. Oblique view. thumbnail

Exterior view of Overlynn Mansion, 1912. (Rear elevation. Historic Photo). thumbnail

Interior central staircase, 2004. (Interior view). Copyright: City of Burnaby. thumbnail

Duncan & Margaret McGregor Estate 'Glen-Lyon' Mansion

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark518

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain, 'Glen-Lyon' is an Edwardian era rural estate, with a tall, two and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame mansion, set in a pastoral and formal landscape with an associated barn and early log pond, located near a ravine and forested ar…

Associated Dates: 1902

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Marine Drive

Associated Dates: 1902

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12183

Enactment Date: 11/12/2006

Description: Overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain, 'Glen-Lyon' is an Edwardian era rural estate, with a tall, two and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame mansion, set in a pastoral and formal landscape with an associated barn and early log pond, located near a ravine and forested area adjacent to Marine Drive in South Burnaby.

Heritage Value: ‘Glen-Lyon’ is valued as an excellent example of a privately-owned Edwardian era country estate built at the turn of the nineteenth century. The property retains significant heritage features including the Edwardian era mansion with rustic Arts and Crafts features, and elements of a working agricultural landscape. The property was originally the Royal City Mills logging camp, and in 1900 was purchased by Duncan Campbell McGregor (1853-1929) and Margaret Jane McGregor (1875-1960), who named their estate ‘Glen-Lyon’ after Duncan McGregor’s birthplace in Perthshire, Scotland. The McGregors were active in municipal affairs and social activities, and played a significant role in the early development of Burnaby. Duncan McGregor served as a city councillor from 1909 to 1912 and was elected reeve of Burnaby in 1913. Margaret McGregor was instrumental in the formation and fundraising activities of the Victoria Order of Nurses in Burnaby. Additionally, the site is historically significant for its association with early social welfare and correctional reform. The estate was sold in 1926 to an inter-denominational religious organization called the Home of the Friendless, which used it as their B.C. headquarters. The organization was charged with several cases of abuse and neglect in 1937, after which a Royal Commission was formed that led to new legislation to regulate and license all private welfare institutions. 'Glen-Lyon' was sold to the provincial government, and was dedicated in 1939 by the Lt.-Gov. E.W. Hamber for use as the New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders (later renamed the New Haven Correction Centre). The Borstal movement originated in England in the late nineteenth century, as an alternative to sending young offenders and runaways to prisons by providing reformatories that focused on discipline and vocational skill. This site’s role as the first North American institution devoted to the Borstal School philosophy was historic, and influenced corrections programs across Canada. The site retains significant features from its development in 1939 as the Borstal School, including a large gambrel-roofed barn designed by Chief Provincial Architect Henry Whittaker of the Department of Public Works that is the only remaining structure of its kind in Burnaby. Between 1941 and 1945 the mansion housed the Provincial School for the Deaf and Blind when the Borstal School was closed temporarily as a war measure during the Second World War.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of 'Glen-Lyon' Mansion include its: - location on a sloping site with expansive southern exposure, adjacent to Marine Drive - residential form, scale and massing of the house as exemplified by its two and one-half storey height, above-ground basement and rectangular plan - Arts and Crafts elements of the house such as its stone foundation, multi-gabled roof line with steep central hipped roof, symmetrical cross-gables, side shed dormers, bellcast upper walls sheathed in cedar shingles and lower walls sheathed in narrow clapboard - original exterior features of the house such as the full width front verandah with square columns, central staircase on the southern elevation, original doors and stained glass windows; and the irregular fenestration such as double-hung 1-over-1 wooden-sash windows, bay windows, and projecting windows in the gable ends - original interior features of the house such as the U-shaped main stair designed around two symmetrically placed Ionic columns, and interior trim on the main floor including boxed beams and fireplaces - gambrel-roofed barn with roof vent with finial, sliding hay loft and access doors, small multi-pane windows, and lapped wooden siding - associated landscape features such as the original garden plantings with some exotic and many native specimen trees; the original log pond and its concrete Marine Drive causeway and culvert; rockeries and a rose garden

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Organization: Home of the Friendless; Borstal School; New Haven Correction Centre

Architect: Henry Whittaker

Function: Primary Historic--Estate

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: 003-004-661

Boundaries: 'Glen-Lyon' is comprised of a single residential lot located at 4250 Marine Drive, Burnaby.

Area: 230873.18

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Names: McGregor, Duncan C. (1853-1929); Whittaker, Henry; Home of the Friendless; Borstal School; New Haven Correction Centre

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Public - Detention Facilities; Buildings - Residential

Street Address: 4250 Marine Drive

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of 'Glen-Lyon' Mansion, 2013.. Oblique view from the southeast. thumbnail

H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Greenhouse Foundation Wall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark862

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for a greenhouses adjacent to the Steam Plant Building provided heat to several greenhouses on the estate propoerty. The Root House, which is to the north of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall, provided storage for the farm operation.

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 140665

Enactment Date: 23/11/1992

Description: The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for a greenhouses adjacent to the Steam Plant Building provided heat to several greenhouses on the estate propoerty. The Root House, which is to the north of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall, provided storage for the farm operation.

Heritage Value: The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate, which was designed as a country estate with a working farm that included over 10 acres of productive berry and vegetable fields, with a large kitchen garden, a root house to store food, an orchard, and greenhouses heated by steam. The agricultural potential of the Deer Lake area made it one of the first parts of the municipality to attract settlement. In 1909, the Ceperleys built three large greenhouses heated by an adjacent steam plant (Fairacres Steam Plant). The greenhouses featured granite foundation walls, including this one which remains intact. The Ceperleys employed a large staff to manage the estate's agricultural production, including Chinese farm labourers. Produce was grown for use at the estate, and for sale at local markets. Agricultural use of the estate continued when a Catholic order of Benedictine monks purchased the estate as part of the Priory of St. Joseph and the Seminary of Christ the King, and continued to farm the land until 1953.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Building include its: - overall spatial arrangement of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall in relation to the Steam Plant Building and the Root House - original rubble stone walls reflecting the Arts and Crafts design aesthetic of the estate buildings.

Locality: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Architect: Robert Mackay Fripp

Function: Primary Historic--Outbuilding

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536

Boundaries: ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

Area: 17,065.00

Contributing Resource: Landscape Feature; Remains

Ownership: Public (local)

Other Collection: Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album

Documentation: Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2

Names: Ceperley, Grace; Ceperley, H.T.; Fripp, Robert Mackay

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural; Building Components; Buildings - Agricultural - Greenhouses

Street Address: 6344 Deer Lake Avenue

Images

July 2019 greenhouse foundation wall. Greenhouse foundation wall, 2019. thumbnail

Exterior view of greenhouses on the Ceperley Estate, 1914. thumbnail

H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Root House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark527

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: The ‘Fairacres’ Root House is a long, low one-storey masonry building, measuring 4.6 metres by 9.1 metres, with massively buttressed concrete walls and foundations. Built into sloping ground adjacent to the location of the former greenhouses, the surviving orchard and the kitchen entrance of the ma…

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Associated Dates: 1908

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 9807

Enactment Date: 23/11/1992

Description: The ‘Fairacres’ Root House is a long, low one-storey masonry building, measuring 4.6 metres by 9.1 metres, with massively buttressed concrete walls and foundations. Built into sloping ground adjacent to the location of the former greenhouses, the surviving orchard and the kitchen entrance of the main house, 'Fairacres,' this functional structure was used as a frost-free store for fruit and vegetables for the family's use.

Heritage Value: The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate. The Root House is important as a rare surviving, and exceptionally large, example of this building type in the Vancouver region. Unusual in the fact that an architect designed a building of such modest aspirations, it is also remarkable in its method of construction. The use of concrete as a structural material is one of the earliest in the region and extraordinary for its use on such a modest vernacular outbuilding; root cellars were typically built of loose stone. Built in 1908, the Root House was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000. The building is significant as an indicator of the market gardening activity in the area around Deer Lake and of the country-house self-sufficiency practiced by the Ceperley family. The Root House illustrates the cultural, aesthetic, and lifestyle values of the Ceperleys in constructing such a large building for storing their own produce.

Defining Elements: The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate. The Root House is important as a rare surviving, and exceptionally large, example of this building type in the Vancouver region. Unusual in the fact that an architect designed a building of such modest aspirations, it is also remarkable in its method of construction. The use of concrete as a structural material is one of the earliest in the region and extraordinary for its use on such a modest vernacular outbuilding; root cellars were typically built of loose stone. Built in 1908, the Root House was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000. The building is significant as an indicator of the market gardening activity in the area around Deer Lake and of the country-house self-sufficiency practiced by the Ceperley family. The Root House illustrates the cultural, aesthetic, and lifestyle values of the Ceperleys in constructing such a large building for storing their own produce.

Locality: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Architect: Robert Mackay Fripp

Function: Primary Historic--Outbuilding; Secondary Historic--Food Storage

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536

Boundaries: ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

Area: 17,065.00

Contributing Resource: Building; Landscape Feature

Ownership: Public (local)

Other Collection: Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album

Documentation: Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2

Names: Ceperley, Grace; Ceperley, H.T.; Fripp, Robert Mackay

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Agricultural

Street Address: 6344 Deer Lake Avenue

Images

Exterior view of ‘Fairacres’ Root House, 2013. Oblique view. thumbnail

Burnaby South High School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark770

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Associated Dates: 1922-1988

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Southoaks Crescent

Associated Dates: 1922-1988

Heritage Value: Burnaby South and Burnaby North were Burnaby's first high schools. The first rooms of the school were built in 1922 on the same grounds as the Kingsway East Elementary School. In 1940, a two-storey building was erected and additions were made in 1963, 1967 and 1972. Kingsway East closed in 1925 and its buildings were used by the high school for Industrial Arts and Home Economics. In the early 1990s, a new "urban education centre" (Burnaby South/B.C. School for the Deaf) was opened, replacing the old Burnaby South High School.

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Street Address: 6650 Southoaks Crescent

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

John Houston Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark610

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Residential building.

Associated Dates: c.1908

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Burris Street

Associated Dates: c.1908

Description: Residential building.

Heritage Value: The original resident of this house was John Houston, listed in the 1909 City Directory as a ‘rancher’, but is known as the long-time home of barrister Wrathman Sheridan Turner (1889-1974) and his wife Gertrude Helena (née Whealhouse) Turner. Stucco now covers the original exterior siding, though the house maintains its wide, overhanging eaves with exposed rafter tails and triangular eave brackets, indicative of the influence of the newly-emerging Arts and Crafts style.

Locality: Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Area: 1312.47

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Street Address: 7668 Burris Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the John Houston Residence, 2013.. North elevation.. thumbnail

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

St. John the Divine Anglican Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark514

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: St. John the Divine Anglican Church is a landmark wood-frame Gothic Revival church, with Gothic windows and spire. It is located on Kingsway, one of Burnaby’s main commercial thoroughfares, near the SkyTrain transit line and across the street from Central Park.

Associated Dates: 1905

Formal Recognition: Community Heritage Register

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Associated Dates: 1905

Formal Recognition: Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Council Resolution

Enactment Date: 09/06/2003

Description: St. John the Divine Anglican Church is a landmark wood-frame Gothic Revival church, with Gothic windows and spire. It is located on Kingsway, one of Burnaby’s main commercial thoroughfares, near the SkyTrain transit line and across the street from Central Park.

Heritage Value: St. John the Divine Anglican Church is valued as a symbol of the traditions of early Burnaby pioneers and as the oldest surviving church building in the city. Established in 1899, St. John was the first church in the community and was located at a prominent intersection of the old Vancouver-Westminster Road (now Kingsway) and the British Columbia Electric Railway’s interurban station at Central Park. This prominent intersection of the road and rail developed as the town centre of the Central Park district. The first St. John church was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt at the same location in 1904-05. This church is additionally significant for its association with prominent local architect Joseph Henry Bowman (1864-1943) who emigrated from England in 1888. Bowman was a member of the parish, and designed both the first church and its subsequent replacement. Bowman’s prolific career embraced many stylistic changes and technological advances, and this church is a surviving example of one of his rare religious commissions. The design of the new church's nave and vestry was based on the Gothic Revival style of Christ Church Anglican in Surrey, B.C., which had been the former church of St. John’s incumbent Rev. William Bell. Evolving over time as the congregation grew, the church received a number of early additions, and in 1953 was substantially renovated and enlarged through a new design by Vancouver architect Ross Lort. The original church nave was separated from the tower and turned to allow for a large addition. The congregation relocated to a new church in 1998, and at that time removed the church's memorial windows, leaving behind a number of the original art glass windows installed in the 1920s. The church building was renovated in 2004-05, and surviving original elements were retained and restored, including of the original church tower and interior chancel ceiling. A valued feature of the building is the original cast iron church bell that remains in the tower. It was purchased by the children of the congregation in 1912, and in 1924 was rededicated on Armistice Day as a memorial to Burnaby resident Lt. James Donald McRae Reid, who died in the First World War.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of St. John the Divine Anglican Church include its: - location on the north side of Kingsway, opposite Central Park - ecclesiastical form, scale and massing as expressed by the offset tower and tall, gabled roof - tower with its original horizontal wooden drop siding, bellcast square roof with octagonal drum above and bellcast octagonal spire - cedar shingle roof cladding - metal cross at peak of spire - Gothic Revival details such as: Gothic lancet windows with leaded stained glass panels; Gothic entrance door at the base of the tower; pointed-arch louvers in the tower; and exterior gable end scissor-trusses - interior features such as wooden scissor-trusses with diagonal fir tongue and groove panelling on the ceiling above, fir tongue-and-groove panelling on the wall of the nave, and original cedar and fir pews and altar rails - cast iron bell in tower

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Architect: Joesph Henry Bowman

Function: Primary Historic--Place of Worship; Primary Current--Place of Worship

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: 003-398-871

Boundaries: St. John the Divine Anglican Church is comprised of a single institutional lot located at 3891 Kingway, Burnaby.

Area: 3486.66

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Names: St John the Divine Anglican Church

Street Address: 3891 Kingsway

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 2013. (Oblique view. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. Oblique view.. thumbnail

Exterior view of St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 1905. (Oblique view. Historic Photo.) Copyright: City of Burnaby. thumbnail

St. John the Divine Anglican Church, c.1915. (Oblique view. Other.) Copyright: City of Burnaby. thumbnail

Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire function

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36306

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 25, [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 22.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire function. Alice Grant is handing a gift to another member as they stand at the head table, in front of the microphone. Both women seated on either side are watching with emotional smiles on their faces. There is a large bouquet of daffodils on…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: April 25, [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: George Grant subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 22.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 243-026

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of an Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire function. Alice Grant is handing a gift to another member as they stand at the head table, in front of the microphone. Both women seated on either side are watching with emotional smiles on their faces. There is a large bouquet of daffodils on the table.

Subjects: Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs

Names: Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire; Grant, Alice Taylor

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: North Shore Graphic Arts

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of phototgraph reads: "NORTH SHORE GRAPHIC ARTS WEST VANCOUVER BC"; Photographer identifies item as no. 139-50-20

Images

Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire function, April 25, [1950] thumbnail

Interview with Eileen Kernaghan by Rod Fowler April 10, 1990 - Track 11

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory501

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1954-1990

Length: 00:11:23

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s knowledge about William F. Wolsey’s “Temple of More Abundant Life”, which occupied the Art Centre’s heritage buildings Ceperley Mansion and Mather House from 1954 to the 1960s, and the stories of ghosts haunting these buildings, the Anderson…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s knowledge about William F. Wolsey’s “Temple of More Abundant Life”, which occupied the Art Centre’s heritage buildings Ceperley Mansion and Mather House from 1954 to the 1960s, and the stories of ghosts haunting these buildings, the Anderson House, and the James Cowan Theatre.

Date Range: 1954-1990

Photo Info: Eileen Kernaghan standing in front of four poets at the Poetry Pocket Cafe in New Westminster, October 15, 1995. Item no. 535-0014

Length: 00:11:23

Names: Burnaby Arts Centre

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 10, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Eileen Kernaghan, conducted by Rod Fowler. Eileen Kernaghan was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Eileen Kernaghan’s activities with the Burnaby Writers’ Society and the Burnaby Arts Council, describing the history of these organizations between 1967 and 1990. She describes the financial and other challenges facing the arts community, the various programs initiated by the Arts Council, and the development of the Burnaby Arts Centre facilities at Deer Lake. She also talks about her education, writing career, the Neville Street neighbourhood, and her and her husband’s bookstore business. Ghosts believed to inhabit some of the Arts Centre's heritage buildings are also a topic of conversation. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Eileen Kernaghan was born January 6, 1939, to William Alfred Monk (1910-2003) and Belinda Maude Monk (1908-1996), and grew up on a dairy farm near Grindrod in the North Okanagan. She attended a two room school in Grindrod, completed Junior and Senior High School in Enderby, and at age 17 in 1956, left home to attend UBC. She taught school in the North Okanagan area in the late 1950s, during which time she married her husband Patrick Kernaghan. They moved to Vancouver in 1961, Burnaby in 1963, and settled on Neville Street in the South Slope area in 1966 with their three children. Pat Kernaghan worked at Oakalla Prison as a correctional officer until his retirement in 1988. Eileen and Patrick Kernaghan owned and operated a bookstore on Neville Street from 1987 to 1999. They later moved to New Westminster. Eileen Kernaghan began her writing career at twelve years old with a story published in the Vancouver Sun. After her youngest child began school, with more free time, she started writing again and has become an award winning author of fantasy and science fiction novels. She helped found the Burnaby Writers’ Society in 1967, taught writing workshops, and wrote its popular Newsletter for many years. In 1971 the Society put together a small handbook for BC writers, a venture that was expanded and published by Douglas MacIntyre in 1975 as “The Upper Left-Hand Corner: a writer’s handbook for the Northwest”. The book became a Canadian best-seller. During this same period Eileen Kernaghan began her successful “Grey Isles” trilogy. In 1967 she joined the Burnaby Arts Council, worked as its Coordinator from 1973 to 1984, and was a determined advocate for municipal government support for the arts in Burnaby.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 1:26:27

Interviewee Name: Kernaghan, Eileen

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

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Images

Eileen Kernaghan standing in front of four poets at the Poetry Pocket Cafe in New Westminster, October 15, 1995. Item no. 535-0014 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eleven of interview with Eileen Kernaghan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-023/MSS187-023_Track%2011.mp3

Speech given by Florence Hart Godwin May 28, 1973 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory282

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1898-1917

Length: 0:05:22

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.

Date Range: 1898-1917

Photo Info: Arthur Morrow, Kingsley Hart, Florence Hart (later Godwin), and Katherine Maude "Kitty" Hill (later Peers) in the woods at the south side of Deer Lake photographed by W.T. Cooksley [1908]. Item no. HV976.139.3

Length: 0:05:22

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Fires

Interviewer: Burnaby Arts Council

Interview Date: May 28, 1973

Scope and Content: Recording is of a speech given by Florence Hart Godwin at a Burnaby Arts Council meeting held May 28, 1973. Major themes discussed are: pioneer families and early residences in the Burnaby Lake District.

Biographical Notes: Florence Hart was born in 1898 in New Westminster. Florence first saw Burnaby in April of 1905 on a trip made by horse and buggy from the family home in New Westminster where her father worked as a real estate agent. By 1911, he had built a permanent home for his family in Burnaby, building what is now known as the Hart house and is currently owned by the municipality. Frederick John “Fred” Hart married Alice Chapman in Yale BC on August 13, 1895. They had four children together; Kingsley Chapman born May 27, 1897, Florence Elizabeth born October 23, 1898, and ten years later, Edwyna and Jack. They followed their family nurse, Miss Maude Woodward to Burnaby and purchased thirteen acres of land at Deer Lake to build a summer cottage. Mrs Hill and the children spent the summer months there while Frederick continued working in New Westminster, joining his family on the weekends. Florence Hart attended Douglas Road School before boarding at Crofton House in Vancouver. Kingsley Hart had enlisted in the army on March 23, 1915 when he was only seventeen years old. He was killed in action on September 26, 1916. The Hart family then moved to Kerrisdale, Vancouver. Florence worked at the Carnegie Library. On August 7, 1922 Florence Hart married Harold “Hal” Godwin and moved back to Edmonds in Burnaby where they remained for their entire married lives. In 1929, Florence and Harold’s daughter, Elizabeth Godwin was born. Alice (Chapman) Hart died May 24, 1935 at the age of sixty-eight. Frederick John Hart died August 29, 1945 at the age of seventy-seven. Florence Hart Godwin was named Good Citizen of Burnaby in 1971 and received a life membership to the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) for her long tenure. Both Florence and her husband Harold were awarded life memberships from the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) for more than half a century of service. Harold Ward Godwin died December 12, 1962 at the age of sixty-six.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:33:50

Interviewee Name: Godwin, Florence Hart

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Arthur Morrow, Kingsley Hart, Florence Hart (later Godwin), and Katherine Maude thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track five of speech given by Florence Hart Godwin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-1/MSS137-005-1_Track_5.mp3

Andrew M. Johnson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36318

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 drawing : graphite and chalk pastel on heavy-weight paper ; 43 x 33 cm

Scope and Content: Drawing of Andrew M. Johnson wearing a three-piece suit. He was married to Margaret Sloane Johnson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Andrew Johnson subseries

Physical Description: 1 drawing : graphite and chalk pastel on heavy-weight paper ; 43 x 33 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 244-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1990-10

Scope and Content: Drawing of Andrew M. Johnson wearing a three-piece suit. He was married to Margaret Sloane Johnson.

Subjects: Arts - Drawings

Names: Johnson, Andrew Martin "Andy"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Belted kingfisher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82754

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 paintings : colour print ; 28 x 18.5 cm

Scope and Content: Painting shows a belted kingfisher.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 1 paintings : colour print ; 28 x 18.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 559-009

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Painting shows a belted kingfisher.

Subjects: Animals - Birds; Arts - Paintings

Media Type: Graphic Material

Creator: Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Notes: Title transcribed from item; Simnett personal papers series

Images

Bullock's oriole

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82753

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 paintings : colour print ; 28 x 18.5 cm

Scope and Content: Painting shows two Bullock's orioles.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 1 paintings : colour print ; 28 x 18.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 559-008

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Painting shows two Bullock's orioles.

Subjects: Animals - Birds; Arts - Paintings

Media Type: Graphic Material

Creator: Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Notes: Title transcribed from item; Simnett personal papers series

Images

California quail

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82748

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 painting : colour print ; 37 x 28 cm

Scope and Content: Painting shows two California quail.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 1 painting : colour print ; 37 x 28 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 559-003

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Painting shows two California quail.

Subjects: Animals - Birds; Arts - Paintings

Media Type: Graphic Material

Creator: Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Notes: Title transcribed from item; Simnett personal papers series

Images

Children finger painting in a classroom

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription52965

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of kindergartners finger panting in a classroom at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. One child is climbing on a chair to reach a high cupboard and others are busy working on their finger paintings.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 246-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of kindergartners finger panting in a classroom at the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten. One child is climbing on a chair to reach a high cupboard and others are busy working on their finger paintings.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Arts - Paintings

Names: Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Ellesmere Avenue; Hastings Street

Street Address: 300 Ellesmere Avenue North

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Children finger painting in a classroom, [between 1957 and 1968] thumbnail

Green-winged teal

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82749

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 painting : colour print ; 37 x 28 cm

Scope and Content: Painting shows two green-winged teal.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 1 painting : colour print ; 37 x 28 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 559-004

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Painting shows two green-winged teal.

Subjects: Animals - Birds; Arts - Paintings

Media Type: Graphic Material

Creator: Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Notes: Title transcribed from item; Simnett personal papers series

Images

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory517

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1942-1969

Length: 00:07:41

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s growing interest in Japanese culture and arts, studying the Japanese language after she was 22 in Montreal. She talks about how she learned paper-folding (origami), to make silk dolls, flower-arranging (Ikebana), and how to wear a kimono, and …

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s growing interest in Japanese culture and arts, studying the Japanese language after she was 22 in Montreal. She talks about how she learned paper-folding (origami), to make silk dolls, flower-arranging (Ikebana), and how to wear a kimono, and then began to teach others these skills in Montreal .

Date Range: 1942-1969

Length: 00:07:41

Subjects: Education; Arts; Persons - Japanese Canadians

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 27, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 01:34:10

Interviewee Name: Miyashita, Toki

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.