Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

E.W. Bateman House 'Elworth'

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark538

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: The E.W. Bateman House is a one-and-one-half storey wood-frame residence set within in a garden landscape. The house and its adjacent garage are the only historic buildings standing on their original site within the Burnaby Village Museum property.

Associated Dates: 1922

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Edwin & Mary Bateman Residence

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Edwin & Mary Bateman Residence

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Associated Dates: 1922

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 9807

Enactment Date: 23/11/1992

Description: The E.W. Bateman House is a one-and-one-half storey wood-frame residence set within in a garden landscape. The house and its adjacent garage are the only historic buildings standing on their original site within the Burnaby Village Museum property.

Heritage Value: The E.W. Bateman House was constructed in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, that was originally promoted in 1911 as an upper class suburban 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 reduced scale of upper-class residential construction at a time of modest returning prosperity that followed the end of the First World War, and the social, cultural, lifestyle and leisure sensibilities of the owners in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision: such values as social aspiration, racial exclusivity, demonstration of architectural taste, and importance of a landscaped garden. The heritage value of the E.W. Bateman House is its comprehensive representation of an upper middle-class suburban residence of the early 1920s. It was built for retired CPR executive Edwin Wettenhall Bateman (1859-1957) and his wife, Mary (Dale) Bateman (1865-1935), by contractor William Dodson in 1922. The Bateman House was designed by English-born and trained architect Enoch Evans (1862-1939) of E. Evans and Son, and is an important surviving residential design by Evans, and a typical example of the eclectic Period Revival influences that were common to domestic architecture in the post-First World War era. The symmetry of the imposing front verandah, supported by exaggerated Ionic columns, gives the relatively-modest house an image of grandeur and formality. Named after Edwin Bateman’s birthplace in Cheshire, England, ‘Elworth’ also symbolizes allegiance to England and the patriotic tenor of the time. The heritage value for this house also lies in its interpretive value within the Burnaby Village Museum. The site is an important cultural feature for the interpretation of Burnaby’s heritage to the public. The E.W. Bateman House was purchased by Burnaby in 1970 and became the focal point for the development of the Museum. Both the interior and exterior of the house have been restored and interpreted to the date of original construction, including recreated room interiors and period furnishings.

Defining Elements: The elements that define the heritage character of the E.W. Bateman House include its: - rectangular form and massing with central entry on long side - side gable roof with front shed dormer with cedar shingle cladding - symmetry of front facade - full open front verandah inset under the roofline, supported with Ionic columns - cedar shingle siding - multi-paned double-hung wooden-sash windows, mixture of 6-over-1 and 8-over-1 - symmetrical disposition of fenestration, with double-assembly units on the ground floor - exterior shutters - two flanking brick chimneys on the side elevations - interior room layouts and original interior features such as quality millwork and original hardware - original garage at the rear of the house

Locality: Deer Lake Park

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Organization: Burnaby Village Museum

Architect: Enoch Evans; E. Evans and Son

Builder: William Dodson

Function: Primary Current--Museum; Primary Historic--Single Dwelling

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: P.I.D. No. 011-030-356 Legal Description: Parcel 1, District Lot 79 and District Lot 85, Group 1, New Westminster District, Reference Plan 77594

Boundaries: Burnaby Village Museum is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

Area: 38,488.63

Contributing Resource: Building; Landscape Feature; Structure

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: Bateman, Edwin W.; Bateman, Mary Dale; Evans, Enoch; Dodson, William; Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Residential; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Civic - Museums

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the front elevation of the E.W. Bateman House, 2013.. North elevation. thumbnail

Exterior view of the front elevation of the E.W. Bateman House, c.1920 (North elevation. Historic Photo). Copyright: Burnaby Village Museum Collection, BV. 977.90.7. thumbnail

Barnet Lumber Company House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark662

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Residential building.

Associated Dates: 1925

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Texaco Drive

Associated Dates: 1925

Description: Residential building.

Heritage Value: This house is one of two surviving houses built as a “Model Home” for the manager of the Barnet Lumber Company, which was the successor to the North Pacific Lumber Company. It was used as a combined home and office. It was constructed with framing lumber and millwork sawn at the mill. Typical of the Craftsman style, the house has a front gabled roof with triangular eave brackets. It has been altered with the addition of asbestos shingles over the original siding, but retains its form, scale and massing. This house was designed by the firm of Townley & Matheson. The partnership of Fred Laughton Townley (1887-1966) and Robert Michael Matheson began in 1919, and the firm left a rich legacy of sophisticated work, including schools, commercial structures, many fine residences and the landmark Vancouver City Hall.

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Architect: Townley & Matheson

Area: 2225.77

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Public (local)

Names: Townley & Matheson; Barnet Lumber Company

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Residential; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Street Address: 8007 Texaco Drive

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Barnet Lumber Company House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark663

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Residential building.

Associated Dates: 1925

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Texaco Drive

Associated Dates: 1925

Description: Residential building.

Heritage Value: This house is one of two surviving houses built as a “Model Home” for one of the assistant managers of the Barnet Lumber Company, using framing lumber and millwork sawn at the mill. This house was also designed by the firm of Townley & Matheson. The house was raised and renovated in 1997, resulting in alterations such as new dormers and elongated porch piers.

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Architect: Townley & Matheson

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Names: Townley & Matheson; Barnet Lumber Company

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Residential; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Street Address: 8039 Texaco Drive

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the Barnet Lumber Company House, 2015.. South elevation.. thumbnail

Capitol Hill School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark564

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: School building.

Associated Dates: 1923

Other Names: Ecole Capitol Hill Elementary School

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

6 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Ecole Capitol Hill Elementary School

Geographic Access: Holdom Avenue

Associated Dates: 1923

Description: School building.

Heritage Value: This school was originally designed by Bowman & Cullerne as a two-storey, four-room school building in 1923, with a two-room addition completed in 1926 and another in 1927. Originally designed in the Arts and Crafts style, it has been altered, with the addition of stucco over the original siding and replacement windows, but has retained its original form and massing, as well as its roof-top ventilator and front gabled entrance with grouped columns. Bowman & Cullerne specialized in school design. After Harold Cullerne (1890-1976) returned from service during the First World War, he joined J.H. Bowman (1864-1943) in a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1934. The firm’s other school designs included Seaforth School (1922, now relocated to Burnaby Village Museum), Burnaby North High School (1923), and Nelson Avenue School (1927).

Locality: Capitol Hill

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Architect: Bowman & Cullerne

Ownership: Public (local)

Names: Bowman & Cullerne; Cullerne, Harold; Bowman, Joseph Henry

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Schools

Street Address: 350 Holdom Avenue

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of Capitol Hill School, 2013.. View from the west along Holdom Avenue.. thumbnail

Exterior view of Capitol Hill School, 2013. (View of main entrance along Holdom Avenue. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Exterior view of Capitol Hill School, 2013. (Oblique view from the northwest. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Exterior view of Capitol Hill School, 2013. (Oblique view from the southwest. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Exterior view of Capitol Hill School, 2013. (Oblique view from the southeast. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Historic view of Capitol Hill School, c.1925. (Oblique view. Historic Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby Archives 258-001. thumbnail

Douglas Road School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark573

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: School building.

Associated Dates: 1928

Other Names: Douglas Road Elementary School

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Douglas Road Elementary School

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Associated Dates: 1928

Description: School building.

Heritage Value: The Douglas Road School was originally established as a two-room school in 1908 on this site, and later expanded to four classrooms. Anticipating rapid settlement of this district, the School Board purchased two acres adjoining the old building. Two of the four rooms were designed to become one large auditorium suitable for special events and public gatherings, with seating for two hundred people. The classically-influenced school has been altered with new windows and extended with additional wings, but has retained its original red-brick veneer, tan-brick quoins and bellcast octagonal roof ventilator. Designed by McCarter & Nairne, the school was built by contractor A.S. Perry. McCarter & Nairne, who also designed the Second Street School, were the Burnaby School Board architects at this time. John Y. McCarter (1886-1981) and George Nairne (1884-1953) formed their partnership in 1921 after serving overseas during the First World War. The partners began designing houses and small apartment buildings, and their commissions included Vancouver’s first skyscraper, the Marine Building (1928-30).

Locality: Burnaby Lake

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Architect: McCarter & Nairne

Names: McCarter & Nairne; Douglas Road School

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Schools

Street Address: 4861 Canada Way

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the Douglas Road School, 2013.. Front elevation.. thumbnail

Exterior view of the Douglas Road School, 2013. (Rear elevation. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby. thumbnail

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…

1 audio

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: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four 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 Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.

History: Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Housing; Employment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - Volunteers; Religions - Sikhism; Migration; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Celebrations; Sports - Field Hockey

Names: Pandher, Raj; Pandher, Rajinder; Copeland, William J.; Pandher, Harman; Pandher, Amanjit; Burnaby Multicultural Society; The Western Sikh Samachar

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.1.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcripts available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3

Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91822

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1924 and 1925]

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9 cm x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lauretta Roberts standing next to the half-built Roberts' house located at 5118 Douglas Road. During construction of the house, movie posters were used in place of tar paper under the exterior cedar shingles and as cushioning under the linoleum kitchen floor. Visible in the distance …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1924 and 1925]

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9 cm x 9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Lauretta Roberts standing next to the half-built Roberts' house located at 5118 Douglas Road. During construction of the house, movie posters were used in place of tar paper under the exterior cedar shingles and as cushioning under the linoleum kitchen floor. Visible in the distance is the Adams' family house located on the 5100 block of Douglas Road.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Construction

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; 5118 Douglas Road renumbered to 3131 Douglas Road in 1958 and to 5538 Dominion Street in 1970 or 1971; The new address house in the background of the photograph is 3011 Godwin Street; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Probably 1924-25 / Lauretta Roberts"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P4"

Street Address: 3131 Douglas Road; 5118 Douglas Road; 5538 Dominion Street; 3011 Godwin Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House, [between 1924 and 1925] thumbnail

Capitol Hill Auxiliary of Victorian Order of Nurses

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35366

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1929] (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 the women of the Capitol Hill auxiliary of the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Identified are: (front row, 3rd from left) Annie Eshelby and (front) Grace Eshelby. The Auxiliary raised money through teas, concerts and canvassing to help fund VON work. Annie Eshelby served as vice-p…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1929] (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.: 204-223

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the women of the Capitol Hill auxiliary of the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON). Identified are: (front row, 3rd from left) Annie Eshelby and (front) Grace Eshelby. The Auxiliary raised money through teas, concerts and canvassing to help fund VON work. Annie Eshelby served as vice-president and secretary-treasurer over the years.

Subjects: Organizations - Charities

Names: Eshelby, Annie Perrey; Eshelby, Grace; Victorian Order of Nurses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Capitol Hill Auxiliary of Victorian Order of Nurses, [1929] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 29 Jun. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Series: Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interview series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.

History: Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Buildings - Residential; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Education; Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Government - Local Government; Industries - Film; Migration; Occupations; Occupations - Artists; Occupations - Grocers; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Teachers; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues - Racism; Sports - Soccer

Names: Bridge Studios; Chow, Gim Gee Dang; Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"; Chow, Robin Chung Dip; Polos, Donna; Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962; Polos, Donald James; Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana

Geographic Access: Victory Street

Accession Code: BV022.21.1

Date: 29 Jun. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of recording; Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.

Images

Audio Tracks

Oral history interview with Hipman

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0021_0001_004.mp3

George and Mary Buxton house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64636

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1925]

Collection/Fonds: Buxton Family collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph shows the George and Mary Buxton house in Burnaby. George Buxton was born in England and was a carpenter by trade. He and his wife Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss) moved to Canada between 1911 and 1913 and had five children: Clara Violet (1910-1913), Mary (1900-?), Alice Clarissa (Clissie) (…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1925]

Collection/Fonds: Buxton Family collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 513-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2010-05

Scope and Content: Photograph shows the George and Mary Buxton house in Burnaby. George Buxton was born in England and was a carpenter by trade. He and his wife Mary Isabel (nee Nattriss) moved to Canada between 1911 and 1913 and had five children: Clara Violet (1910-1913), Mary (1900-?), Alice Clarissa (Clissie) (1902-?), Bernard (1897-1972) and Leopold (1893-1951). The Buxton house remains a heritage landmark in Burnaby to this day.

Subjects: Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage

Media Type: Photograph

Geographic Access: Buxton Street

Street Address: 4807 Buxton Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

George and Mary Buxton house, [1925] thumbnail

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…

1 image 1 document 1 audio

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) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.

History: Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. 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; Environmental Issues; Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection; Geographic Features; Geographic Features - Parks; Housing; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Writers; Persons - Volunteers; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Religions; Religions - Judaism

Names: Schwartz, William "Bill"; Schwartz, Ellen; City of Burnaby; Polestar Communications; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20285

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser M…

1 document 1 audio

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: 1 sound recordings (wav) (121min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (121 min., 13 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewees: Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy Location of Interview: Residence of Harry Toy Interview Date: September 25, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:01:13 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 25, 2023. The interview is divided into four sections: early life of Harry Toy, the Canada Way Food Market, the Fraser Merchants’ Association and Harry's daughters, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy's memories of growing up in Burnaby. 00:00:00 – 00:23:53 Harry Toy shares biographical information about himself and his ancestors. Harry provides information about his migration to Canada and his life in Manitoba, attending school, working at the family restaurant and teaching high school. 00:23:53 – 00:41:16 Harry talks about moving his family to Burnaby and his experiences owning and operating the Canada Way Food Market. 00:41:17 – 00:54:19 Harry talks about his involvement with the Fraser Merchants Association (FMA) and provides some history about the organization. 00:54:20 – 1:22:44 Harry talks about running the Canada Way Food Market and the alterations that he made to the store over the years. Harry and his daughters comment as they look through photographs of Harry and his store and the Fraser Merchants Association. 1:22:45 – 2:01:14 Beverley and Christina talk about their early childhood in Manitoba and growing up in Burnaby. They recall what it was like growing up and working in the family owned store.

History: Interviewee biography: Harry Wee Koon Toy was born in February 9, 1936 in Taikong, Toisan county, Guangdong, China. Harry's father William Toy came to Canada in the early 1920s when he was ten years old. Harry arrived in Vancouver, Canada on September 9, 1950. After staying in Vancouver for one night, he joined his father in Neepawa, Manitoba where the family operated a cafe business (Royal Cafe). Harry grew up in Neepawa and graduated from the University of Manitoba and teacher's college. He became a high school teacher and worked at schools in Minnedosa and Gladstone, Manitoba teaching various subjects including, science, business, geography, history and physical education. Harry and his wife, had three daughters, Melinda, Beverley and Christina who were all born in Neepawa. When the family decided to move to the west coast, Harry was introduced to the grocery store business through an uncle who was a store operator. Around 1970, Harry purchased a grocery store at 4694 Canada Way in Burnaby which he named "Canada Way Food Market" and Harry and his daughters made their home at the back of the store. Harry owned and operated the store for approximately 40 years between 1970 and 2010. Around 1986, Harry purchased the butcher shop next door (4692 Canada Way) which was no longer in operation, expanding his store and adding a second storey to use a residence. Harry's children helped him operate the store throughout their childhood. In the early 1970s, corner stores were threatened by the spread of small chain-operated convenience stories from Eastern Canada to Vancouver. Formed in April 1972, the Fraser Merchants’ Association was established to protect the rights of corner store operators. With no paid legal help, the association was incorporated in Victoria, BC for the cost of 56 cents. The benefits of being a member of the association included warehouse and group purchasing, common advertising and other advantages of being part of an association. Founded by Gary Lee Ling and five others, Fraser Merchants’ Association’s first member was Graham Grocery. By 1978, the association represented over 200 corner stores in the Lower Mainland (Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, and New Westminster) and Fraser Valley. The association remained active into the 1980s and 1990s. Harry has served as President of the Fraser Merchants' Association from 1992 to present. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Migration; Occupations - Teachers; Occupations - Grocers; Organizations; Organizations - Business Associations; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores

Names: Toy, Christina; Toy, Harry Wee Koon "Harry"; Babey, Beverley; Canada Way Food Market; Fraser Merchants' Association

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4694 Canada Way

Accession Code: BV023.16.19

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Related Material: See also: BV023.25 - Harry Toy fonds

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0019_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Harry Toy, Beverley Babey and Christina Toy, [1905-2023] (interview content), interviewed 25 Sep. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0019_002.mp3

Close up of front of Roberts' house 5118 Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91836

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 cm x 6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of John W. and Mary Roberts (pregnant with son Roland) and their son Edward Roberts standing in front of their house at 5118 Douglas Road. The front steps and porch of the house are complete, but the pillars and sidewalk are not yet in place. In the background is the framework for nett…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Small family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 10 cm x 6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 620-017

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2017-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of John W. and Mary Roberts (pregnant with son Roland) and their son Edward Roberts standing in front of their house at 5118 Douglas Road. The front steps and porch of the house are complete, but the pillars and sidewalk are not yet in place. In the background is the framework for netting around the property's tennis court. To the right is Douglas Road, where the Roberts' mailbox and a car are visible in the distance.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Construction

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Title transcribed from donor's notes; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Aug, 1927 / Mother, father and Teddy / Please return"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "How's this John?"; Stamp on verso of photograph read: "56"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P.17"; 5118 Douglas Road renumbered to 3131 Douglas Road in 1958 and to 5538 Dominion Street in 1970 or 1971

Street Address: 3131 Douglas Road; 5118 Douglas Road; 5538 Dominion Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Ardingley-Sprott Area

Images

Close up of front of Roberts' house 5118 Douglas Road, 1927 thumbnail

Construction of Elworth

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription676

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1922]

Collection/Fonds: E.W. Bateman family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.9 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Phoptograph of the construction of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. and Mary Bateman's house "Elworth." The path in the garden to the front porch has already been established in the photograph, and the frames of the house are erected, with side panels being fitted for the first floor. At least three people …

1 image

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 ; 6.9 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Phoptograph of the construction of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. and Mary Bateman's house "Elworth." The path in the garden to the front porch has already been established in the photograph, and the frames of the house are erected, with side panels being fitted for the first floor. At least three people are sitting by the openings made for the windows. Stamped on the back of the photo: "216." The house is located at the site of what would become Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue.

Subjects: Construction; Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Accession Code: HV976.37.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1922]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-06-13

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Construction of Elworth, [1922] thumbnail

Dyke construction on Nicomen Island

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34331

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 13.5 cm on page 17.5 x 22.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a home, with car in the foreground next to equipment being used in the construction of dykes on Nicomen Island.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Peers family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7 x 13.5 cm on page 17.5 x 22.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 020-038

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a home, with car in the foreground next to equipment being used in the construction of dykes on Nicomen Island.

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Geographic Features - Dykes; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph

Images

Dyke construction on Nicomen Island, 1927 thumbnail

Elworth under construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription147

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1920

Collection/Fonds: E.W. Bateman family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman's Elworth house under construction. Husband and wife Edwin and Mary Bateman are sitting on the unfinished porch with two unidentified women.

1 image

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 ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman's Elworth house under construction. Husband and wife Edwin and Mary Bateman are sitting on the unfinished porch with two unidentified women.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Construction

Names: Bateman, Edwin W.; Bateman, Mary Dale

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Accession Code: BV986.21.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1920

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-04-02

Notes: Title based on note written on verso of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "ELWORTH HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION" and "# 6"

Images

Elworth under construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription148

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1921

Collection/Fonds: E.W. Bateman family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7.5 x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman's Elworth house under construction. Husband and wife Edwin and Mary Bateman are at the unfinished front steps with an unidentified woman.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: E.W. Bateman family fonds

Series: Bateman family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 7.5 x 12.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman's Elworth house under construction. Husband and wife Edwin and Mary Bateman are at the unfinished front steps with an unidentified woman.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Construction

Names: Bateman, Edwin W.; Bateman, Mary Dale

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Accession Code: BV986.21.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1921

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-04-02

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "ELWORTH HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION EDWIN + MARY BATEMAN + ?" and "# 7"

Images

Elworth under construction, 1921 thumbnail

Gan's cottage

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82636

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1925]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph shows the construction of a building identified as Louisa Vidal's cottage.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1925]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 8.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 550-189

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: Photograph shows the construction of a building identified as Louisa Vidal's cottage.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Cabins; Construction

Names: Vidal, Louisa Sophia "Lou" Jones

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on note accompanying photograph; Note in pencil on album page reads: "Gan's Cottage at Four All Seasons"

Images

Tierney's Camp

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34469

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12.3 cm on page 17.4 x 26.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a cabin under construction in a location identified as Emory Creek. The caption accompanying the photograph indicates that cabin belonged to a Mr. Tierney, but no other identification is provided. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the F…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Peers family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12.3 cm on page 17.4 x 26.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 020-176

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a cabin under construction in a location identified as Emory Creek. The caption accompanying the photograph indicates that cabin belonged to a Mr. Tierney, but no other identification is provided. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.