Narrow Results By
Subject
- Agricultural Tools and Equipment - Gardening Equipment 1
- Arts 4
- Celebrations - Centennial 2
- Ceremonial Artifacts - Totem Poles 1
- Clothing - Footwear 1
- Construction - Road Construction 1
- Education 1
- Events 1
- Geographic Features - Parks 1
- Government - Federal Government 1
- Indigenous wood-carving - Totem poles 1
- Industries - Tourism 1
Barnet Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark747
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1905-1924
- Heritage Value
- The original Barnet mill burned down in 1909 after a dramatic explosion in the boiler house. The company rebuilt a new plant, considered a model of mill construction. The company's timber was towed down the Pacific in huge rafts containing about 400,000 to 500,000 board feet. Mill capacity during a 10-hour day was 150,000 board feet with an amazing annual output of 50 million feet.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Cameron Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark824
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The Cameron Neighbourhood falls within the Lougheed Town Centre area - one of four Town Centres in Burnaby. The Cameron Neighbourhood - while containing significant high-density residential components - is also home to the Town Centre's office and commercial core. The Lougheed Mall is situated in this neighbourhood, which is served by the Millennium Line SkyTrain.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cameron Area
Images
Richmond Park Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark828
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The Richmond Park Neighbourhood is part of the larger Edmonds Town Centre - one of four official Town Centres in the City. Richmond Park contains a residential subdivision that developed during the 1950s as well as a strong commercial and retail centre along Edmonds and Kingsway.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
Images
Vancouver Heights Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark741
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1905-1924
- Heritage Value
- On December 13, 1912, The British Columbian Weekly described the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood as follows: "The northern portion of the municipality in the vicinity of Boundary Road has during the past three years made tremendous strides towards settlement. At that time Mr. James Herd and Mr. Peters were the only residents of the district...Soon, however, the timber was removed, streets laid out and other conveniences such as water, light and transportation provided... The school population of the district has increased so rapidly that the school has been enlarged twice this year and is at the present time inadequate. About 200 children are attending now. There are three churches in the district and one mission...At present time there are two large blocks containing six stores..."
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Pioneer tales of Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5860
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 096928280x
- Call Number
- 971.133 SON COPY 4
- Contributor
- Sone, Michael
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- Corporation of the District of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c1987
- Physical Description
- 495 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.
- Inscription
- "TR687 - Bryburgh" / handprinted in pencil on frontend page
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Pioneers--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Biography
- Object History
- Early Burnaby as recalled by the settlers themselves who arrived from every corner of the world between 1888 and 1930, some witnessing incorporation of the district in 1892, all seeking a better life for themselves and especially for their children, all helping transform the wilderness into the modern municipality of today.
- Notes
- "Editor Michael Sone".
- Includes index.
- 4 copies held: copy 4
Images
Digital Books
Florence Hart Godwin photograph album
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3049
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1893-1923 (date of original), copied 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Florence Hart Godwin fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 album (29 photographs: b&w negatives ; 35 mm)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a photographic reproduction of a twenty nine page photograph album that was created by Florence Hart Godwin. The first page of the album reads "Florence, with Grandma's and Auntie Felicia's best love, Xmas 1910" and the other pages contain photographs. The album was given to Flore…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Florence Hart Godwin fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 album (29 photographs: b&w negatives ; 35 mm)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a photographic reproduction of a twenty nine page photograph album that was created by Florence Hart Godwin. The first page of the album reads "Florence, with Grandma's and Auntie Felicia's best love, Xmas 1910" and the other pages contain photographs. The album was given to Florence Hart for Christmas in 1910, by her grandmother Jane Chapman (nee Isbell) and her Aunt Felicia Chapman. Album contains photographs of the Alice and Frederick J. Hart and Chapman families, including childhood photographs of the five Hart children, Kingsley, Florence, Fredricka, Edwyna and Jack; the Hart family at their home in New Westminster and at "Avalon" their summer residence and home on Deer Lake.
- Names
- Godwin, Florence Hart
- Accession Code
- HV976.168.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1893-1923 (date of original), copied 1976
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-07-24
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph album
- 29 b&w copy prints accompanying
- Item level descriptions available per album page
Images
Documents
Event photographs
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98421
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1973-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 267 photographs : col. ; 18 cm x 13 cm and smaller
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of various events, meetings, and other activities hosted by the Burnaby Historical Society as well as events and ceremonies attended by Society members.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1973-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Series
- Administration series
- Physical Description
- 267 photographs : col. ; 18 cm x 13 cm and smaller
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 633-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-06
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of various events, meetings, and other activities hosted by the Burnaby Historical Society as well as events and ceremonies attended by Society members.
- Subjects
- Events
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Photographs were originally contained in a photograph album and removed by Archives staff for preservation purposes. Original order of photographs within the album is maintained.
- Most photographs in file have handwritten notes on verso identifying the individuals and events depicted in the photographs.
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-1:633-003-10 reads: "BHS field trip to Yale 1973"
- Identification key for 633-003-15 available in accession file
- Identification key for 633-003-22 available in accession file
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-23:633-003-35 reads: "Christmas Party at the Home of Violet and Blythe Eagles"
- Identification key for 633-003-36 available in accession file
- 633-003-37:633-003-42 depict a presentation of the publication "Windows to Burnaby's Past"
- Labels on sleeves housing 633-003-43:633-003-50 reads: "1992 Conference BC Historical Federation / May 7, 8, 9, 1992 at Burnaby BC / Held at Sheraton Villa"
- Sticky noted adhered to verso of 633-003-54 read: 'Honorary life member Margaret Stoneberg with Past President John Spittle"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-59:633-003-74 reads: "Luncheon at Hart House May 7 1 pm".
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-68 reads: "Honorary Life Member, Margaret Stoneberg - May 8, 1992"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-69 reads: "Lunch at Hart House - Anne Yandle and Francis Wellwood in foreground"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-74 reads: "Ilma Dunn (Whiterock) Nancy Peter (Burnaby) Ernest Harris (Vancouver) Naomi Miller (Wasa)"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-75:633-003-85 reads: "Tour of Burnaby Village Museum 2pm"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-78 reads: "The visitors at Burnaby Village Museum - May 8, 1992"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-81 reads: "History Revisited! Don Sale at the teacher's desk in Seaforth School, Burnaby Village. Don took his practice teaching in this school!"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-86:633-003-91 reads: "May 9th Burnaby Mountain Park"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-92:633-003-103 reads: "Tour of Simon Fraser University"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-104:633-003-109 reads: "Lunch at SFU"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-110:633-003-144 reads: "Awards Banquet - Burnaby Lake Pavilion"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-144 reads: "Four Burnaby Ladies / Joan Bellinger, Florence Hart Godwin, Helen Brown and Winn Roff relax before the Awards Banquet"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-145:633-003-151 reads: "Hart House Tea June 17/92"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-152:633-003-154 reads: "Discovery Day 1994"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-155:633-003-158 reads: "BHS receives first Burnaby Heritage Award 1993"
- Identification key for 633-003-155 available in accession file
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-158 reads: "front row (l to r) Hazel L'Estrange, Mary Coe, Kay Moore / 2nd row (l to r) Una Carlson, Helen Street / 3rd row (l to r) Margaret Matorich, Pixie McGeachie"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-159:633-003-178 reads: "Official opening of the garden and restored Jubilee Arch Central Park 1994"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-180:633-003-235 reads: "Burnaby Historical Society June 25, 1997 40th Anniversary"
- Letter from the Beckleys, photographers of 633-003-236:633-003-239 available in accession file. Identification key for 633-003-237:633-003-238 available in accession file. Identification key for 633-003-239 available in accession file. Photographs depict 1989 sod turning ceremony for administration building at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Note accompanying 633-003-240 available in accession file
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-241:633-003-242 reads: "Burnaby Discovery Day Shadbolt Centre 1998"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-243:633-033-246 reads: "BHS field trip to Kilby General Store and Farm June, 1998"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-247:633-003-249 reads: "Fraser Wilson Room Archives"
- Identification key for 633-003-252 available in accession file
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-253:633-003-257 reads: "Heritage Award"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-258:633-003-261 reads: "BCHF Conference May, 1999 Merritt, B.C."
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-262:633-003-264 reads: "Burnaby "Hero" 2002"
- 633-003-267 is annotated: "Catherine Rees 90th Birthday Party". Photo is an inkjet print on paper.
Images
Alderman Gerry Ast
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58822
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 21, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16. 5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast speaking into a microphone while seated.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 21, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16. 5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1283
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast speaking into a microphone while seated.
- Subjects
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Names
- Ast, Gerald D.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Noted on original folder containing photograph: "Ast, Gerry - Burnaby Politics"
- Note on boarder of photograph at recto reads: "Ald Gerry Ast / A-5 Wed PMT 80%"
- Date and photographer stamped on verso of photograph
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "100% p.1 Bby Today"
Images
Alderman Gerry Ast
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58823
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast in a plaid three-piece suit, standing, speaking at a microphone.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1284
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alderman Gerald D. "Gerry" Ast in a plaid three-piece suit, standing, speaking at a microphone.
- Subjects
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Names
- Ast, Gerald D.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Noted on original folder containing photograph: "Ast, Gerry - Burnaby Politics"
- Note on verso of photograph reads: "Ald Gerry Ast"
- Photographer's stamp on verso of photograph
Images
Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory251
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1865-1919
- Length
- 0:10:18
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
- Date Range
- 1865-1919
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:10:18
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_1.mp3Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory253
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1903-1940
- Length
- 0:09:46
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he took part in at Burnaby Mountain. Alfred also discusses early schools and mentions his wife, Ada Bingham.
- Date Range
- 1903-1940
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:09:46
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_3.mp3Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory254
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1892-1955
- Length
- 0:07:38
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of B…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of Burnaby Lake and the "pleasure walk" along Douglas Road, from Vancouver to New Westminster.
- Date Range
- 1892-1955
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:07:38
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_4.mp3Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory258
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1892-1963
- Length
- 0:07:05
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
- Date Range
- 1892-1963
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:07:05
- Names
- Hawthorn, Mary
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- 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
Audio Tracks
Track eight of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track eight of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_8.mp3Eagle Creek treehouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91704
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1980 and 2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : col. ; 15 cm x 10 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of a rustic two-storey treehouse located in the forest at Eagle Creek. The treehouse is triangular in shape and constructed around three evergreen trees. The file also contains one photograph of a broken tree stump.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1980 and 2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : col. ; 15 cm x 10 cm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-022
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of a rustic two-storey treehouse located in the forest at Eagle Creek. The treehouse is triangular in shape and constructed around three evergreen trees. The file also contains one photograph of a broken tree stump.
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Note in black in on verso of photographs 618-022-1 : 618-022-4 reads: "Bby. Mtn. Parkway [at] Curtis / Eagle Creek, Upper Reaches / East Fork"
- Note in black in on verso of photograph 618-022-5 reads: "Bby. Mtn. Parkway / Eagle Creek, Upper Reaches"
- Geographic Access
- Eagle Creek
- Planning Study Area
- Sperling-Broadway Area
Images
Gay Tim Hong and Steven Chan in Hop-On Farm greenhouse
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4261
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gay Tim Hong standing with great grandson, Steven Chan in middle of a Hop-On Farm greenhouse. Greenhouse contained marigolds.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : colour : copy scan
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Gay Tim Hong standing with great grandson, Steven Chan in middle of a Hop-On Farm greenhouse. Greenhouse contained marigolds.
- History
- Josephine Hong was born to Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong. The Hong Family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene. The family runs Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including Josephine Hong's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. Her great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV017.36.12
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1980 and 1985] (date of original), copied 2017
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Related Material
- See Oral History Interview-BV020.6.1
- Scan Resolution
- 800
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph.
Images
Heritage Village shoe shop exhibit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14576
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Heritage Village shoe shop. Exhibit includes a glass display counter in front containing a shoe display and a work bench in behind with various tools for repairing shoes.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the Heritage Village shoe shop. Exhibit includes a glass display counter in front containing a shoe display and a work bench in behind with various tools for repairing shoes.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Footwear
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.1650
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1981
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 24-Nov-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Stamp on slide mount reads: "5_JUN_81V3"
Images
Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory516
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1900-1946
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, and her Oikawa grandparent’s immigration to BC and settlement on Lion and Don Islands at the mouth of the Fraser River. She describes how the family was moved to the internment camp “The Orchard” in New Denver,…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, and her Oikawa grandparent’s immigration to BC and settlement on Lion and Don Islands at the mouth of the Fraser River. She describes how the family was moved to the internment camp “The Orchard” in New Denver, but managed to find a place to live outside the camp where her grandmother grew a large garden from seeds brought in the seams of her clothing. She notes that the Lion Islands were named Oikawa-shima by the Japanese settlers.
- Date Range
- 1900-1946
- Length
- 00:07:05
- 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
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track one of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_1.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory518
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:04:54
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:04:54
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Arts
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
- 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
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track three of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_3.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory519
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:26
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s explanation about the practice and art of Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana) and her specific school or discipline Ikebana Sogetsu. She talks about the meanings of the material used.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s explanation about the practice and art of Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana) and her specific school or discipline Ikebana Sogetsu. She talks about the meanings of the material used.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:26
- Subjects
- Arts
- 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
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track four of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_4.mp3Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory520
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement in the Multicultural Society, flower-arranging groups, and her own practice and willingness to respond to requests for presentations. She describes how traditional rules govern doll-making, Ikebana and the wearing of the kimono.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s involvement in the Multicultural Society, flower-arranging groups, and her own practice and willingness to respond to requests for presentations. She describes how traditional rules govern doll-making, Ikebana and the wearing of the kimono.
- Date Range
- 1969-1990
- Length
- 00:07:05
- 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
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with Toki Miyashita
Track five of interview with Toki Miyashita
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_5.mp3