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66 records – page 1 of 4.

Farmland

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription603
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-] (date of original), copied 1977
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of cultivated farmlands and rows of different kinds of crops. In the centre are low lying plants, possibly strawberries, and to the left, there are tall deciduous trees. To the right are waist high shrub-like trees. There are workers harvesting from this crop, that could possibly be r…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.2 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of cultivated farmlands and rows of different kinds of crops. In the centre are low lying plants, possibly strawberries, and to the left, there are tall deciduous trees. To the right are waist high shrub-like trees. There are workers harvesting from this crop, that could possibly be rasberries. The property could belong to Bernard Hill, who owned 24 acres of farmland, mostly of strawberries.
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Agriculture - Farms
Agriculture - Crops
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Accession Code
HV977.123.9
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[190-] (date of original), copied 1977
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-07-18
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Farm workers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38856
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of workers in the field picking crops on the farm belonging to F.J. Hart. The property was on the corner of Douglas Road (later Canada Way) and Sperling Avenue although the Hart House was located at 6664 Deer Lake Avenue.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
Series
Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-175
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of workers in the field picking crops on the farm belonging to F.J. Hart. The property was on the corner of Douglas Road (later Canada Way) and Sperling Avenue although the Hart House was located at 6664 Deer Lake Avenue.
Subjects
Agriculture - Crops
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Agriculture - Farms
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Sperling Avenue
Canada Way
Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
Less detail

Agricultural Exhibit

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34530
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1909]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.2 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby's Agricultural Exhibit at New Westminster showing a display of vegetables, fruit, flowers, plants, and trees inside of a building.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1909]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 20.4 x 25.2 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
041-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby's Agricultural Exhibit at New Westminster showing a display of vegetables, fruit, flowers, plants, and trees inside of a building.
Subjects
Agriculture - Crops
Exhibitions - Agricultural
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Plants - Flowers
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

C.F. Sprott's house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34498
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on cardboard 14.8 x 19.7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of C.F. Sprott's House at Douglas Road and Norland Avenue. A unidentified man is standing on the porch steps.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1908
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on cardboard 14.8 x 19.7 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
022-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of C.F. Sprott's House at Douglas Road and Norland Avenue. A unidentified man is standing on the porch steps.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cooksley, William Thomas
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Annotation at bottom of photograph reads, "C.F. Sprott's Residence, Fruit Farm, Burnaby B.C."
Annotation underneath photograph reads, "W.T. Cooksley, New Westminster, B.C."
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Norland Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
Less detail

Dominion Exhibition

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34523
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11.7 x 17.0 cm mounted on 20.0 x 25.2 cm cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby Exhibit at the Dominion Exhibition held in New Westminster. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and preserves are displayed inside a building. "Burnaby" is spelled out on an arch above the display.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11.7 x 17.0 cm mounted on 20.0 x 25.2 cm cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
036-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Burnaby Exhibit at the Dominion Exhibition held in New Westminster. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and preserves are displayed inside a building. "Burnaby" is spelled out on an arch above the display.
Subjects
Agriculture - Crops
Exhibitions - Agricultural
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cornish, New Westminster, BC
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Edna Bateman Corner family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1788
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-] (date of original), copied 1979
Collection/Fonds
E.W. Bateman family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12.4 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the family home of Edna Bateman Corner and Raymond Corner at Glenmore, B.C. which is now a part of Kelowna. View of orchard on hill side. There are two houses visible among the fields and fruit trees. Rows of tilled soil and wooden stakes can be seen in the foreground and by the foo…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
E.W. Bateman family fonds
Series
Bateman family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12.4 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the family home of Edna Bateman Corner and Raymond Corner at Glenmore, B.C. which is now a part of Kelowna. View of orchard on hill side. There are two houses visible among the fields and fruit trees. Rows of tilled soil and wooden stakes can be seen in the foreground and by the foot of the hill.
History
Edna Bateman is the oldest daughter of Edwin W. Bateman.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Accession Code
HV979.32.14
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[190-] (date of original), copied 1979
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-09-05
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Edna Bateman Corner family home / Glenmore BC, now a part of Kelowna BC / Many years ago." Printed on the original negative and inscribed on the photo, bottom front: "Fruit farm, Kelowna, B.C. / 561."
Images
Less detail

Jesse Love's Fruit Farm, Burnaby, BC

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34501
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.8 cm mounted on cardboard 14.7 x 19.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of members of the Love family kneeling in a strawberry field. Left to right: Jesse Love (father), Leonard, Phoebe, Martha, Minnie, Martha Love (mother), and Sarah. The small building at the extreme left of the picture was George Love's (oldest of the Love's children) first sash and doo…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.8 cm mounted on cardboard 14.7 x 19.8 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
022-004
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of members of the Love family kneeling in a strawberry field. Left to right: Jesse Love (father), Leonard, Phoebe, Martha, Minnie, Martha Love (mother), and Sarah. The small building at the extreme left of the picture was George Love's (oldest of the Love's children) first sash and door outlet. He later built Love's Sash and Door Factory on the south side of Edmonds Street just west of 6th Street. The original farm was located in East Burnaby, on Cumberland Road. In 1988, this house was moved to the site of the Burnaby Village Museum at Deer Lake Avenue.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Occupations - Farmers
Names
Love, Jesse, 1849-1928
Love, Leonard
Brandrith, Martha Dorothy “Dot” Love
Love, Martha Leonard, 1858-1920
McKenzie, Edith Minnie Love
Feedham, Phoebe Leonard Love
Parker, Sarah Maria Love
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cooksley, William Thomas
Notes
Annotation bottom of the photograph reads, "Jesse Love's Fruit Farm, Burnaby, BC"
Geographic Access
Cumberland Street
Street Address
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
Less detail

Louis Claude Hill's Strawberry Farm, Burnaby BC

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription991
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1902
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on grey card 15.0 x 20.0 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of immigrant workers in the field picking strawberries on the farm belonging to Claude Hill. On the left, the Hill family home, Brookfield, can be seen. Claude Hill's daughter, Kitty Hill, is sitting on the steps of the house. The property is the current site of the Burnaby Village Muse…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on grey card 15.0 x 20.0 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of immigrant workers in the field picking strawberries on the farm belonging to Claude Hill. On the left, the Hill family home, Brookfield, can be seen. Claude Hill's daughter, Kitty Hill, is sitting on the steps of the house. The property is the current site of the Burnaby Village Museum.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Accession Code
HV973.40.5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1902
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-05-09
Scale
100
Photographer
Cooksley, William Thomas
Notes
Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Inscribed on the negative and (therefore) printed on recto of photograph reads: "L.C. Hill's Strawberry Farm, Burnaby, B.C." and "W.T. Cooksley, New Westminster, B.C."
Note written in red pencil on the card reads: "1902 - Grandview H.WAY"
Images
Less detail

W.H. Lewis farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34499
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.6 x 17.7 cm mounted on cardboard 14.2 x 19.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of W.H. Lewis' fruit farm with a man, three women and five children kneeling in a strawberry field. "Pioneer Tales" identifies them as William Lewis (foreground), three of his children, and hired help. A house can be seen in the background. The Lewis house was located on 4th Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12.6 x 17.7 cm mounted on cardboard 14.2 x 19.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
022-002
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of W.H. Lewis' fruit farm with a man, three women and five children kneeling in a strawberry field. "Pioneer Tales" identifies them as William Lewis (foreground), three of his children, and hired help. A house can be seen in the background. The Lewis house was located on 4th Street.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cooksley, William Thomas
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Annotation at bottom of photograph reads, "W.H. Lewis' Fruit Farm, Burnaby, B.C."
Geographic Access
4th Street
18th Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Second Street Area
Images
Less detail

William Whiting's agricultural display

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34524
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.4 x 17.0 cm mounted on 19.8 x 24.8 cm cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph of William Whiting's agricultural display at New Westminster. Vegetables, fruit, grains and preserves are displayed inside a building. "W. Whiting" is spelled out at the base of the display. A sign reads "Third Prize."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1905]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.4 x 17.0 cm mounted on 19.8 x 24.8 cm cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
037-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of William Whiting's agricultural display at New Westminster. Vegetables, fruit, grains and preserves are displayed inside a building. "W. Whiting" is spelled out at the base of the display. A sign reads "Third Prize."
Subjects
Agriculture - Crops
Exhibitions - Agricultural
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cornish, New Westminster, BC
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Annotation on back of photograph reads, "This exhibit was grown w. my garden at Burnaby Lake"
Images
Less detail

Annual Exhibition

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1170
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
September 1908
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 15.5 cm mounted on card 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of fruit displays at the Central Park Annual Exhibition which took place from September 17 to 18, 1908. The fruits in crates or plates are displayed on tables. Also visible in other sections of the room are floral displays and baked goods. Some of the wooden crates on the table in the fo…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 15.5 cm mounted on card 20 x 25 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of fruit displays at the Central Park Annual Exhibition which took place from September 17 to 18, 1908. The fruits in crates or plates are displayed on tables. Also visible in other sections of the room are floral displays and baked goods. Some of the wooden crates on the table in the foreground of the photograph include insignia: "Grown & Packed by F.R. Stewart & Co. Central Park B.C.".
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Exhibitions - Agricultural
Names
Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers' Institute
F R Stewart and Company Limited
Geographic Access
Central Park
Accession Code
BV993.45.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
September 1908
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
For another print of the same image, see BV998.30.1
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2024-04-23
Photographer
Bullen, Harry Elder
Notes
Continuation of title: "... CENTRAL PARK/ SEPT 17-18. '08."
Photographer's annotation reads: "BULLEN PHOTO"
Images
Less detail

Interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles 10-Jun-75 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory41
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1899-1919
Length
0:07:22
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles memories of growing up in New Westminster and visiting Burnaby with family. Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles mentions when and where she was born.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles memories of growing up in New Westminster and visiting Burnaby with family. Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles mentions when and where she was born.
Date Range
1899-1919
Photo Info
Mrs. Dunbar, Dr. Blythe Eagles and Dr. Violet (Dunbar) Eagles, June 1967. Item no. 404-002
Length
0:07:22
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
10-Jun-75
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and his wife Dr Violet Eagles by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury (and Ross S. McLeod) June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the War Years and Burnaby Lake District. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Blythe's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918 Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia, and took a Physiology class with eight other top students - his future wife, Violet Dunbar was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933 Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968 he received an Honourary Doctor of Science Award from UBC Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899 in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet attained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922 she attended the Provincial Normal School and within six months had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923 she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970) who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:24:01
Interviewee Name
Eagles, Dr. Blythe
Eagles, Dr. Violet
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
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 interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles

Less detail

Interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles 10-Jun-75 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory42
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1896-1912
Length
0:04:13
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles and Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles' thoughts on the Boom years, the houses and development at Deer Lake and the south slope of Vancouver and developments in transportation.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles and Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles' thoughts on the Boom years, the houses and development at Deer Lake and the south slope of Vancouver and developments in transportation.
Date Range
1896-1912
Photo Info
Mrs. Dunbar, Dr. Blythe Eagles and Dr. Violet (Dunbar) Eagles, June 1967. Item no. 404-002
Length
0:04:13
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
10-Jun-75
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and his wife Dr Violet Eagles by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury (and Ross S. McLeod) June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the War Years and Burnaby Lake District. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Blythe's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918 Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia, and took a Physiology class with eight other top students - his future wife, Violet Dunbar was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933 Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968 he received an Honourary Doctor of Science Award from UBC Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899 in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet attained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922 she attended the Provincial Normal School and within six months had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923 she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970) who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:24:01
Interviewee Name
Eagles, Dr. Blythe
Eagles, Dr. Violet
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
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 two of interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles

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Interview with Florence Hart Godwin by Bettina Bradbury July 2, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory10
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1898-1917
Length
0:06:11
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's early childhood including the reasons why her family first moved to Burnaby, other early residents of the Deer Lake district, farming practices, and why the Hart family chose to leave Burnaby in 1917.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's early childhood including the reasons why her family first moved to Burnaby, other early residents of the Deer Lake district, farming practices, and why the Hart family chose to leave Burnaby in 1917.
Date Range
1898-1917
Photo Info
Florence Hart Godwin on her wedding day, August 7, 1922. Item no. 477-601
Length
0:06:11
Names
Woodward, Harriet
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July 2, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Florence Hart Godwin by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury, July 2, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) and the Edmonds Historic Neighbourhood. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes."
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
8
Total Length
0:47:57
Interviewee Name
Godwin, Florence Hart
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
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
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Florence Hart Godwin by Bettina Bradbury

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Lewis family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35698
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1903 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of (left to right) Lillie Lewis (sister - later Lillie Porter), William Lewis (father), Evelyn Lewis (sister), and Ernest Lewis (brother) picking strawberries at the side of their house. Note the apple trees all around. The other people in the picture are unidentified hired help.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1903 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-556
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of (left to right) Lillie Lewis (sister - later Lillie Porter), William Lewis (father), Evelyn Lewis (sister), and Ernest Lewis (brother) picking strawberries at the side of their house. Note the apple trees all around. The other people in the picture are unidentified hired help.
Subjects
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Occupations - Farmers
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Names
Lewis, Ernest
Lewis, Evelyn
Lewis, William
Porter, Lillie Lewis
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Cooksley, William Thomas
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
4th Street
18th Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Second Street Area
Images
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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory244
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1906-1975
Length
0:09:00
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his fath…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his father's ranch of six acres, which grew mostly strawberries to sell in Vancouver.
Date Range
1906-1975
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:00
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Geographic Access
Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
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 two of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

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Produce section of a local grocery store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription78883
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 28, 1996
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified man and woman holding apples in the produce section of a local grocery store. Two unidentified childen accompany the woman.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 28, 1996
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 22 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0186
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified man and woman holding apples in the produce section of a local grocery store. Two unidentified childen accompany the woman.
Subjects
Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Langdeau, Brian
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "MR Brian 522A / MR pg. 9 44%"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
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Vegetable delivery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98165
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified person standing in front of a home with a Rubbermaid container filled with vegetables and other produce for a delivery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1999]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-3243
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified person standing in front of a home with a Rubbermaid container filled with vegetables and other produce for a delivery.
Subjects
Foods
Agriculture
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on original file name
Collected by editorial for use in a June 1999 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Images
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Interview with David Skulski

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19606
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, at…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: David Skulski Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 6 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 80 min., 38 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, attending school in New Westminster and Burnaby and Hebrew school in Vancouver. David recalls his early experiences in music, instruments that he played and describes some of his Jewish family traditions. 00:22:23 – 00:49:57 David talks about his experiences studying music at university and following his passion as a musician and oboist. He recalls his experiences of working with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra, Vancouver Society for Early Music, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, other musical ensembles and venues where he’s performed. 00:49:58 – 01:00:00 David talks about living in Burnaby in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. David describes some his experiences playing traditional music from different countries. 01:01:01 – 01:14:15 David comments on the changes that he’s seen in Burnaby over the years, some of his favourite places, activities, cultural amenities and development on the Fraser River. David talks about the Jewish community in Burnaby, his involvement with the Peretz Centre and examples of Jewish cuisine. 01:14:16 – 01:20:38 David talks about Yiddish being his first language, his language studies in Lithuania, the roots of the language and provides some examples of speaking Yiddish.
History
Interviewee biography: Murray "David" Skulski was born in 1942 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia with his parents in 1948. Skulski and his family settled in New Westminster before moving to Burnaby in the late 1950's. Skulski took piano lessons at an early age and began playing obo while attending junior high school in New Westminster. In 1960 at the age of 17 years, Skulski began performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as solo English horn and is the youngest player to ever be employed with the VSO. In 1991, Skulski started playing with the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and was the conductor between 1997 and 2004. Skulski has been the principal oboe player in many orchestras. In 1968, Skulski founded the Hortulani Musicae; in 1970, he founded the Vancouver Society for Early Music and in 1983 he founded Harmonie, an ensemble concentrating in classical wind music. In 2003, Skulski became president of the Pertez Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. In 2005, Skulski became principal oboist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and between 2009 and 2019 he was the principal oboist for the Pilgrim Orchestra under Pilwon Suk. David has served as president of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and since 2022, he’s served on the board of the Vancouver Chamber Music Society. Skulski has taught summer courses in Renaissance music in Austria (1972-1979), has been a music resident at Simon Fraser University (1973-1976), has lectured on the history of musical instruments at SFU and UBC and in 2008 began teaching at the Pacific Coast School of Music, Richmond School of Music and Oakridge Music Studios. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Foods
Music
Musical Instruments
Occupations - Musicians
Performances - Concerts
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Religions - Judaism
Names
Burnaby Symphony Orchestra
Burnaby South High School
Burquest
Skulski, Murray "David"
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Society for Early Music
Peretz Centre
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Deer Lake Park
Accession Code
BV023.16.10
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0010_003.mp3
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Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19348
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) (75 min., 56 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (75 min., 57 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Anushay Malik Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Dr. Sadhu Binning Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 25, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: (1:15:57) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning conducted by Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interview opens with introductions and how the content of the interview can be drawn on by Burnaby Village Museum for future exhibits and for researchers to learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby. During the interview, Dr. Binning shares his ancestral background along with his relatives' and his own personal experiences as a South Asian immigrant living and working in British Columbia and Burnaby. Dr. Binning conveys that he’s a Burnaby resident who’s lived in Burnaby since 1973 and that his children were born here. Binning shares his ancestral heritage beginning with his uncle Dhana Singh who emigrated from Punjab to British Columbia in 1931 and began working in the forest industry. He explains how Dhana Singh and another partner owned, operated and worked in small sawmills in the vicinity of Kamloops, Williams Lake and also on Vancouver Island. Binning conveys that in the beginning Dhana Singh and many other South Asian immigrants were not legal residents until 1938. In 1938, about 350 South Asian immigrants (mainly Punjabi) gathered resources to hire a lawyer to obtain permanent residency. Binning mentions that one of the notable South Asians in the group who was also a close friend of his uncle, was Darshan Singh Sangha, a trade unionist who was a founding member of the International Woodworkers of America (IWA) union and an active member of the Communist Party of Canada. Binning conveys how Darshan Singh Sangha returned to India in 1947 to be a part of the revolution, how he was very active in the communist movement in India. While in India, Darshan Singh Sangha, was known as Canadian and thereby adopted “Canadian” as his surname, becoming “Darshan Singh Canadian”. Binning further explains that his uncle Dhana Singh Sangha returned to India in 1951, married and came back to B.C. in 1957 bringing with him, his wife and children. In 1960, with the support of his uncle, Binning’s father, Jit Singh Binning immigrated to British Columbia and began working in sawmills in the lower mainland, Kamloops, Quesnel and on Vancouver Island. Binning clarifies that his uncle, Dhana Singh was able to immigrate to Canada with the support of his cousins from the Tarker Singh Bains family. Binning further describes Darshan Singh Sangha’s involvement with the Communist party and the IWA and how the majority of the members were from the forest industry. As an active and prominent member of the labour movement, Darshan Singh Sangha fought for the rights of South Asians and Chinese who working in the industry and facing racism, unfair wages and discriminatory practices. Binning describes how Darshan Singh Sangha wrote a book in English in 1943, titled “Rise of the New Asia”. Binning conveys how immigrants of Chinese and South Asian decent didn’t have the right to vote in British Columbia and how Darshan Singh Sangha was instrumental in obtaining the right to vote in British Columbia, although he was never given the credit. Binning describes his uncle Dhana Singh as a likeable guy with many friends, first living in Kamloops before moving to Vancouver. Binning imparts how the sport of wrestling is a popular Punjabi sport along with Punjabi kabaddi. He conveys that his uncle became involved in wrestling while working in sawmills. South Asian immigrants had to do physical labour working in sawmills, the work could be tough and could often lead to physical fights. A number of South Asian immigrants working in the mills already had experience as wrestlers from back home. Dhana Singh later left the lumber industry to work in the agriculture sector. Binning explains how immigration rules changed in the 1960s which lead to larger numbers of South Asians immigrating to Canada. Many of these new immigrants were educated and politically conscious. All of these new immigrants faced racism but being politically conscious from an independent India and with the ability to speak English they organized themselves to fight for their rights. Binning imagines the items that his uncle and his father may have brought with them in their suitcase when immigrating to Canada. Binning describes three items, including a rajai (a blanket with cotton inside that is sewn together), a bistra (small attaché case or trunk) and a piece of cloth to lie on. Binning further describes the roles in Indian society as caste divisions and that it was usually women’s work in making the rajais. Binning recollects the locations that his father and his family lived after coming to Vancouver. Binning explains that a few years after living together in Vancouver, he and his family moved to Burnaby in 1973 to be closer to his Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish Binning’s family. Dr. Binning and family lived in a house in Burnaby located on Irmin Street near Royal Oak between 1973 and 1987. While living at this house their children attended McPherson Park Junior High School and later Burnaby South Secondary School. Binning reflects on some of the racism that he and his family have faced while living in Burnaby which led him to write a poem that he published in 1994 titled “No More Watno Dur”. Binning explains the meaning of the title “Watan” meaning “country and everybody” “a country far way from the motherland”. Binning explains the origins of the magazine “Watan” that was started by a friend in 1973. The magazine got its roots in Vancouver in 1973 from an organization called the “Punjabi Literary Association”. Binning became the editor of the magazine in 1976 and his friend joined him as assistant editor in 1978. Binning continued to work as editor until 1983 or 1984 when he returned to school to complete his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. Binning describes the origins of the “Vancouver Sath” that was formed by a small group of South Asians around 1982. Binning was a founding member of the organization and held meetings and rehearsals at his house in Burnaby. Vancouver Sath first started out as an informal discussion forum by a group of politically conscious Punjabi writers and activists. Binning talks about issues and problems that Vancouver Sath addressed including; racism as well as domestic violence in the South Asian community. Binning explains how he and Sukhwant Hundal wrote articles on these issues and others that were happening in the South Asian community in Canada. Binning talks about how in 1983, the group was inspired to begin performing theatrical works after consulting with Gursharan Singh who was from a well known theatrical group from Punjab who were performing in Vancouver. In the beginning the Vancouver Sath’s plays were focused on the problems in Punjab but they soon decided to address social issues in their own South Asian community here in Canada. Binning summarizes and draws attention to, some of the plays that Vancouver Sath has written and performed including; “Picket Line”, about Punjabi women farmworkers’ rights; “Lattan de Bhoot”, about domestic abuse; “A Crop of Poison”; “Kihda Viah” (English translation- “Whose Marriage”) about arranged marriage and others about social issues in the South Asian community. The plays were performed in public schools and community centres in Vancouver and Richmond, Simon Fraser University and some were also performed in Toronto, Calgary and Williams Lake. Binning mentions some of the traditional foods that he likes to eat and where he and his family have shopped to find ingredients. He recalls how his mother, Gurmaje Kaur Binning did all of the cooking and was often cooking all day long. In the sixties, the Binning family address on 13th Avenue in Vancouver was also used as a postal address for many friends and family who’d recently immigrated. When these friends dropped by to pick up their mail, his mother often provided them with tea and food. After Binning and his wife, Jagdish moved to their own home in 1973, he shared in some of the shopping and cooking but his wife did the majority of the work due to his busy schedule. The interview closes with Binning providing an explanation of how “Watno Dur” magazine changed it’s name to “Watan” magazine. Binning reflects on how this came to be, when he made the decision to get an education in Canada and to stay here, not just as a “Canadian” but as a “Punjabi Canadian.
History
Interviewee biography: Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife Jagdish purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips. Interviewer biography: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Industries - Logging/lumber
Industries - Forestry
Foods
Migration
Organizations - Societies and Clubs
Organizations - Unions
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Performances
Performances - Dramatic Performances
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Binning, Dr. Sadhu
Binning, Gurmaje Kaur
Binning, Jit Singh
Binning, Jagdish
Sangha, Darshan Singh
Canadian Farmworkers Union
Hundal, Sukhwant
Sangra, Harjinder
Singh, Dhana
Vancouver Sath
Responsibility
Petrusa, Kate
Malik, Anushay
Accession Code
BV022.29.3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

Interview with Dr. Sadhu Binning, [1931-2022] (interview content), interviewed 25 Nov. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0003_004.mp3
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