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Subject
- Buildings - Heritage 1
- Events - Parades 1
- Exhibitions - Agricultural 2
- Geographic Features - Gardens 2
- Geographic Features - Parks 1
- Occupations 1
- Occupations - Labourers 1
- Organizations 1
- Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs 1
- Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs 1
- Plants - Flowers 4
- Plants - Grasses 1
R.F. Anderson House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark531
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The R.F. Anderson House is a large, two-and-one-half storey Arts and Crafts style wood frame house, now located in Deer Lake Park, built as a family home and now used as institutional offices.
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Robert Fenwick & Bessie Anderson House, Anderson Residence
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Robert Fenwick & Bessie Anderson House, Anderson Residence
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- The R.F. Anderson House is a large, two-and-one-half storey Arts and Crafts style wood frame house, now located in Deer Lake Park, built as a family home and now used as institutional offices.
- Heritage Value
- The R.F. Anderson House contributes to the overall stylistic ambiance of the area and demonstrates that a range of architectural features can be read as a cohesive whole. Although designed primarily in the British Arts and Crafts genre, as were other residences around Deer Lake, it also displays some influences of the popular Craftsman style. It was constructed in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, which was originally promoted as an upper class neighbourhood. It represents one of the first residential developments in the City of Burnaby that required buildings to be of a specific value, thus demonstrating the desire for exclusivity among the successful businessmen who chose to settle in the area. The house and grounds illustrate the social, cultural, lifestyle and leisure sensibilities of a successful local businessman and his family in the early twentieth century; Anderson was a New Westminster hardware merchant and Justice of the Peace. The development of the house and grounds within a controlled suburban context also illustrate the values of the owners in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, such as social aspiration, racial exclusivity, demonstration of architectural taste, importance of a landscaped garden, and the provision of facilities for fashionable leisure pursuits such as lawn tennis. The estate makes an important contribution to the residential grouping now preserved within Deer Lake Park, and demonstrates the broad social mix of those who chose to live in the area at a time when it was in transition from a market gardening area to a more exclusive residential community. The R.F. Anderson House is important for its association with local architect Frank William Macey (1863-1935), the first resident architect in Burnaby. Macey was born and trained in England where he was well-respected for having published two standard texts for the architectural profession. He settled in Burnaby in the first decade of the twentieth century and obtained a number of commissions from prominent businessmen who were building grand homes in the new community of Deer Lake. He designed these houses mostly in the British Arts and Crafts style.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the R.F. Anderson House include its: - location within a park setting in relation to the W.J. Mathers House - irregular massing of the exterior and its cladding of drop-siding, with half-timbering and rough-cast stucco in the gables - picturesque irregular roofline, including an alteration in pitch over the front verandah, with cedar shingle cladding - interior plan with its generous entrance hall, staircase, and massive staircase window with leaded-lights - multiple-assembly wooden-sash casement windows - quality of interior features such as the Douglas Fir woodwork (some with original varnish finish); original hardware supplied by Anderson's hardware company; and original fireplaces with ornate tile surrounds - setting with the imprint of the lawn tennis court, now a garden terrace, and some of the original plantings
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Frank William Macey
- Function
- Primary Current--Government Office
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 007-525-931 Legal Description: North 225 feet Lot 'C', District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 6884
- Boundaries
- The R.F. Anderson House is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 63,100.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Names
- Macey, Frank W.
- Street Address
- 6450 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Kay
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2711
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 25, 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman named Kay seated on the grass of Mabel Hawkshaw's home located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (R.F. Anderson house - 6504 Deer Lake Avenue). Gardens and trees are visible behind.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman named Kay seated on the grass of Mabel Hawkshaw's home located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (R.F. Anderson house - 6504 Deer Lake Avenue). Gardens and trees are visible behind.
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Plants - Grasses
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.152
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- July 25, 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/24/2011
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "Kay / '1937' / 'Edition'"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
50-Foot High Stump
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36668
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936 (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 8.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a stump in Central Park. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "Hollow stump in Central Park (about centre of park). Fifty feet high. At five feet from ground, fifty feet in circumference as measured by Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Wilson. Central Park, November 1936. / City Archiv…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936 (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 8.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 315-023
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a stump in Central Park. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "Hollow stump in Central Park (about centre of park). Fifty feet high. At five feet from ground, fifty feet in circumference as measured by Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Wilson. Central Park, November 1936. / City Archives."
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Central Park Agricultural Hall Fair
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35875
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914 (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 Central Park Agricultural Hall 1914 fall fair. Includes flowers awarded prizes from the Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers' Institute, and school children's woven mats on the back wall. The Hall's location was 3883 Imperial Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pioneer Tales subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 204-734
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Central Park Agricultural Hall 1914 fall fair. Includes flowers awarded prizes from the Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers' Institute, and school children's woven mats on the back wall. The Hall's location was 3883 Imperial Street.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Dot
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2707
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Dot standing on the lawn of the R.F. Anderson house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in this house in 1937. The Anderson House, gardens and tall trees are visible in the background.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Dot standing on the lawn of the R.F. Anderson house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in this house in 1937. The Anderson House, gardens and tall trees are visible in the background.
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.139
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/18/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "Dot + Me"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
![Driveway at 3812 Deer Lake Avenue, [1937] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-044.jpg?width=280)
Driveway at 3812 Deer Lake Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38725
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1937]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm on page 15 x 17.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the driveway of 3812 Deer Lake Avenue covered in snow (old numbering system). This was the home of Claude and Annie Hill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1937]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm on page 15 x 17.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-044
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the driveway of 3812 Deer Lake Avenue covered in snow (old numbering system). This was the home of Claude and Annie Hill.
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6570 Deer Lake Avenue
- 3812 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Driveway at 3812 Deer Lake Avenue, [1937] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-044.jpg)
![Grace Ceperley, [1912] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/241-002.jpg?width=280)
Grace Ceperley
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36224
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1912]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 10.5 x 7 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grace Ceperley nee Grace Dixon standing on the porch of her house, admiring the flowering plants. She lived at the Fairacres' Mansion.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1912]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w copy negative ; 10.5 x 7 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 241-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-05
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grace Ceperley nee Grace Dixon standing on the porch of her house, admiring the flowering plants. She lived at the Fairacres' Mansion.
- Subjects
- Plants - Flowers
- Names
- Ceperley, Grace
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Grace Ceperley, [1912] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/241-002.jpg)
![Hart House flowers, [between 1930 and 1934] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-575.jpg?width=280)
Hart House flowers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37988
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1930 and 1934] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a field of flowers at Hart House.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1930 and 1934] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.2 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-575
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a field of flowers at Hart House.
- Subjects
- Plants - Flowers
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6664 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
![Hart House flowers, [between 1930 and 1934] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-575.jpg)
Marg Waite
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2708
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- August 29, 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 9 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Marg Waite standing on the lawn of the house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. A maple tree is visible in the background. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in R.F. Anderson house at this location in 1937.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 9 x 6.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Marg Waite standing on the lawn of the house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. A maple tree is visible in the background. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in R.F. Anderson house at this location in 1937.
- Names
- Waite, Marg
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.140
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- August 29, 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/18/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "Marg Waite / Aug 29/37"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Aug 29/37 "
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
![Prize Winning Flower displays, [September 1914] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1971/197200110020.jpg?width=280)
Prize Winning Flower displays
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3106
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [September 1914]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16 x 20.8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of various flower displays with signs that indicate the prize they earned at the 14th Annual Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers's Institute Exhibition. There are at least three First Prize flower displays in view and one Special Prize. This is most likely at the 14th An…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 16 x 20.8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of various flower displays with signs that indicate the prize they earned at the 14th Annual Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers's Institute Exhibition. There are at least three First Prize flower displays in view and one Special Prize. This is most likely at the 14th Annual Exhibition of the Central Park Agricultural Association and Farmers' Institute that took place from the 17th to 19th of September, 1914. An earlier catalogue record from 1988 notes that the pictures hanging from the backwall are probably children's school work from Kingsway West School. It also adds the agricultural fair was held between 1902 to 1921 in the Central Park Agricultural Hall built in 1902 in Central Park on Kingsway and the B.C.E.R. tracks.
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Accession Code
- HV972.11.20
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [September 1914]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Related Material
- For photographs of vegetable displays at the agricultural exhibition, see HV972.11.3 and HV972.11.17.
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scan Date
- 14/8/2006
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w contact print accompanying negative
Images
![Prize Winning Flower displays, [September 1914] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1971/197200110020.jpg)
Wilma, Colin, Kay and Crichton
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2712
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 25, 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Wilma, Colin, Kay and Crichton Hawkshaw standing on the lawn of Mabel Hawkshaw's home located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (R.F. Anderson house - 6504 Deer Lake Avenue). Tall trees are visible in the background.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Wilma, Colin, Kay and Crichton Hawkshaw standing on the lawn of Mabel Hawkshaw's home located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (R.F. Anderson house - 6504 Deer Lake Avenue). Tall trees are visible in the background.
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.153
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- July 25, 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/9/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "Wilma, Colin, Kay, Me'"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "July 25/37"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory19
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1932-1936
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's decision to join the Army of the Common Good and its Cooperative (CG Co-op) as well as the South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed. Harry discusses his father's work as caretaker at Central Park and helping to deal with wood cutting per…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's decision to join the Army of the Common Good and its Cooperative (CG Co-op) as well as the South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed. Harry discusses his father's work as caretaker at Central Park and helping to deal with wood cutting permits and land clearing by men who were on script.
- Date Range
- 1932-1936
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Names
- Central Park
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July / August 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 1:17:56
- Interviewee Name
- O'Brien, Harry
- 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
- 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 two of interview with W.H.
Track two of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_2.mp3![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Sports Day
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.
- Subjects
- Events - Parades
- Occupations
- Occupations - Labourers
- Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg)
Video
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.m4v