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Interview with Bill Gruenthal
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19636
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business,…
- 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) (74 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (74 min., 37 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Bill Gruenthal Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 31, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 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 Bill Gruenthal conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on July 31 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:27:01 Bill Gruenthal provides details on his family background, his early life experiences, how he got into the insurance business, his knowledge and interest in Judaism, places that he and his wife lived before moving to Burnaby, family life in Burnaby and his political involvement in running for the Burnaby school board. 00:27:02 – 00:42:50 Bill Gruenthal talks about the Burquest Jewish Community Association, it’s background and his involvement, experiences of discrimination in his career, a brief history of the Jewish people and some cultural traditions. 00:42:51 – 00:56:04 Bill Gruenthal mentions some of the charities that he supports including Burnaby Hospital, his volunteer work within the community and community organizations including the Nikkei Place Foundation and shares more details on his insurance career. 00:56:05 – 01:14:37 Bill Gruenthal shares information about his Burnaby neighbourhood and Jewish funeral customs and provides his impressions of new development at Brentwood, Burnaby Council and other development projects in Burnaby.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Bill Gruenthal was born in the British Mandate of Palestine, now Israel, in 1935 after his parents had fled Germany in advance of the then worsening political situation. Bill’s father died in 1942; some years later his mother remarried to an Irish-born senior civil servant in that government. He had a difficult and somewhat dangerous job. Soon after marriage, the family, including Bill’s older brother, Martin, immigrated to Canada in January 1947 on the strength of his step-father’s British Passport. They traveled via New York, where Bill’s uncle and his family resided and who put up the family. Later that month, the parents travelled by CP rail from Montreal to Vancouver, followed by Bill and his brother in March 1947 who travelled from New York to White Rock on an American railroad. While passing through the Fraser Valley Bill’s parents took an interest in Silverdale, a small hamlet west of Mission where the four eventually settled. Bill finished High School in Mission and soon joined the insurance industry. Bill connected with the Jewish Community in Vancouver where he met his soon-to-be wife. Upon marriage they were transferred to Calgary; after five years suffering its cold weather they were transferred back to Vancouver. They settled in Burnaby in 1966 as an affordable neighbourhood with easy access to his office downtown Vancouver. Outside work, Bill helped raise his family of three daughters who all graduated Burnaby High School (Alpha). They joined Temple Sholom in Vancouver, and he volunteered and still volunteers for a number of non-profits, including The Jewish Museum and Archives and Nikkei Place Foundation (Burnaby). He was an early long-term supporter and a past president of Burquest Jewish Community Association, mostly involving persons from Burnaby, New Westminster, and the Tri-Cities area (hence the name). He ran for political office in Burnaby in 1976 but was not elected. He delivers food in Burnaby for the Food Bank and is a donor to many worthy causes including Burnaby General Hospital. 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
- Migration
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Transportation
- Transportation - Rail
- Religions - Judaism
- Cemeteries
- Organizations
- Elections
- Names
- Gruenthal, Bill
- Gruenthal, Noemi Yadlow
- O'Connor, Herta Ingrid Gruenthal
- O'Connor, John
- Burquest
- Jacobson, Max Alec
- Temple Shalom
- Brentwood Shopping Centre
- Brentwood Park School
- Alpha Secondary School
- Burnaby School Board
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Planning Study Area
- Brentwood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
Interview with Bill Gruenthal, [1950-2023] (interview content), interviewed 31 Jul. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0014_003.mp3
May Day Queen and Princess Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3548
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1925
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 34 cm mounted on paper 29 x 36.5 cm on matt 38.5 x 46.5 cm in frame 49 x 57.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby May Queen and Princess Burnaby sitting with their suite at a photographic studio. Identified on the photograph's cardboard frame are; (back row, left to right) Jessie Gunzeon, Eileen Jacques, Margaret McCallum, Louise Lister, Lucretia Adair, and Nellie Mitchell. Seated, l…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 34 cm mounted on paper 29 x 36.5 cm on matt 38.5 x 46.5 cm in frame 49 x 57.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Burnaby May Queen and Princess Burnaby sitting with their suite at a photographic studio. Identified on the photograph's cardboard frame are; (back row, left to right) Jessie Gunzeon, Eileen Jacques, Margaret McCallum, Louise Lister, Lucretia Adair, and Nellie Mitchell. Seated, left to right: Ruth Bearn, "Burnaby May Queen 1925," and Agness Kilgour, "Princess Burnaby 1925."
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Names
- Weatherby, Lucretia Hazel Adair
- Whittaker, Ruth Lavinia Bearn
- McFarlane, "Agness" Nancy Galbraith McNeill Kilgour
- Anderson, Jessie Gunzeon
- Jeffers, Eileen Mary Jacques
- Lister, Louise
- McCallum, Margaret
- McLellan, Nellie Mitchell
- Accession Code
- BV985.5404.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1925
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
May Queen and her Maids of Honour
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20596
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- May 1925
- Collection/Fonds
- David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of May Queen, Ruth Bearn and her Maids of Honour for Burnaby's First May Day 1925. May Queen and Maids of Honour are all dressed in white and are identified from left to right as: Margaret McCallum, Jessie Gunzeon, Ruth Bearn and Eileen Jacques.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 17.5
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of May Queen, Ruth Bearn and her Maids of Honour for Burnaby's First May Day 1925. May Queen and Maids of Honour are all dressed in white and are identified from left to right as: Margaret McCallum, Jessie Gunzeon, Ruth Bearn and Eileen Jacques.
- History
- Burnaby's first May Day celebration took place on Saturday May 23, 1925 in Central Park. The May Queen and her court were chosen by "lot" in Burnaby Muncipal Council chambers with candidates submitted from Burnaby's public and high schools. Names were placed in a silk hat and Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean drew the successful candidates. Ruth Bearn from Riverway West School was chosen as queen and Agness Kilgour from North Burnaby High School was chosen as Princess Burnaby. Candidates chosen for the Queen's court included First Maid of honour, Jessie Gungeon (Kingsway West School); Second Maid of Honour, Margaret McCallum (Schou Street School) and Third Maid of Honour, Eileen Jacques (Armstrong Avenue School). Candidates chosen for the Princess Burnaby court included, First Maid of Honour, Nellie Mitchell (North Burnaby High School); Second Maid of Honour, Lucretia Adair (South Burnaby High School) and Third Maid of Honour, Louis Lister (South Burnaby High School). Frank Harcourt (Riverway East School) was selected as Earl Marshal; Leo Rowley (Douglas Road School) was selected as First Page; Bertie Telford (Schou Street School) was selected as Second Page; Victor Bennett (Capitol Hill School) was selected as First Herald and James Clogg (Edmonds Street School) was selected as Second Herald.
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Names
- Whittaker, Ruth Lavinia Bearn
- Anderson, Jessie Gunzeon
- Jeffers, Eileen Mary Jacques
- McCallum, Margaret
- Accession Code
- BV995.8.27
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- May 1925
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 8
- Script in white on bottom edge of photograph reads: "Burnaby's First May Day 1925_#15_Stride Photo"
- Note in white on album page reads: "MAY QUEEN AND HER MAIDS OF HONOUR / MARGARET MCCALLUM + JESSIE GUNGION + RUTH BEARN + EILEEN JACQUES"
Images
The Royal Party procession
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20598
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- May 1925
- Collection/Fonds
- David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 15.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Royal party of Burnaby's first May Day celebration. May Queen Suite and other attendants are in a procession at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. The procession is being led by May Queen Ruth Bearn and escort followed by Jessie Gunzeon, Margaret McCallum, Agness K…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- David Geoffrey Llewellyn collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.5 x 15.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Royal party of Burnaby's first May Day celebration. May Queen Suite and other attendants are in a procession at the first May Day celebration in Burnaby in 1925. The procession is being led by May Queen Ruth Bearn and escort followed by Jessie Gunzeon, Margaret McCallum, Agness Kilgour, Nellie Mitchell, Lucretia Adair and Louise Lister. Each girl in the suite is holding a flower basket and escorted by a man in a suit and matching hats. A flag flying in the back and a water tower can be seen from behind the procession.
- History
- Burnaby's first May Day celebration took place on Saturday May 23, 1925 in Central Park. The May Queen and her court were chosen by "lot" in Burnaby Muncipal Council chambers with candidates submitted from Burnaby's public and high schools. Names were placed in a silk hat and Burnaby Reeve Alexander K. McLean drew the successful candidates. Ruth Bearn from Riverway West School was chosen as queen and Agness Kilgour from North Burnaby High School was chosen as Princess Burnaby. Candidates chosen for the Queen's court included First Maid of honour, Jessie Gungeon (Kingsway West School); Second Maid of Honour, Margaret McCallum (Schou Street School) and Third Maid of Honour, Eileen Jacques (Armstrong Avenue School). Candidates chosen for the Princess Burnaby court included, First Maid of Honour, Nellie Mitchell (North Burnaby High School); Second Maid of Honour, Lucretia Adair (South Burnaby High School) and Third Maid of Honour, Louis Lister (South Burnaby High School). Frank Harcourt (Riverway East School) was selected as Earl Marshal; Leo Rowley (Douglas Road School) was selected as First Page; Bertie Telford (Schou Street School) was selected as Second Page; Victor Bennett (Capitol Hill School) was selected as First Herald and James Clogg (Edmonds Street School) was selected as Second Herald.
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Names
- McFarlane, "Agness" Nancy Galbraith McNeill Kilgour
- Whittaker, Ruth Lavinia Bearn
- Anderson, Jessie Gunzeon
- McCallum, Margaret
- Lister, Louise
- McLellan, Nellie Mitchell
- Weatherby, Lucretia Hazel Adair
- Accession Code
- BV995.8.29
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- May 1925
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Photographer
- Stride, Charles Edgar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV995.8.1, pasted to page 10
- Script in white on bottom edge of photograph reads: "Stride Photo"
- Note in white ink on page of album reads: "THE ROYAL PARTY" / ARRIVAL AT THE GROUNDS"
Images
