Narrow Results By
Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58147
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1908-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of historical photographs of Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Public Library.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1908-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- Photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of historical photographs of Burnaby collected by the Burnaby Public Library.
- History
- Burnaby's first library was founded in 1927 as the North Burnaby Library Association. Its first library building was established in 1935 on Hastings Street. In 1954, Burnaby enacted Bylaw No. 3522 to establish the Burnaby Public Library (BPL) and in 1957 BPL merged with the North Burnaby Library Association. BPL's first permanent library was the McGill branch, built in North Burnaby in 1961 and named after North Burnaby Library Association volunteer Grace McGill. Following McGill, BPL then established the Kingsway branch, Central Park branch, and Cameron branch. Central Park was replaced by the Bob Prittie Metrotown branch in 1991 and Kingsway with the Tommy Douglas branch in 2009.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Creator
- Burnaby Public Library
- Notes
- PC225, PC226, PC227, PC228, PC229, PC230, PC231, PC232, PC322, and PC427
- Title based on creator of subseries
Activities of the Burnaby Public Library Board
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport43391
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 38776
- Meeting Date
- 4-Feb-1957
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 38776
- Meeting Date
- 4-Feb-1957
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Annual North Burnaby Public Library Association Report
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport44250
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 39220
- Meeting Date
- 16-Jan-1956
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 39220
- Meeting Date
- 16-Jan-1956
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Application of North Burnaby Public Library Association for Renewal of Lease of Lot 24, Block 8, DL 121
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport45783
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 44983
- Meeting Date
- 5-Apr-1954
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 44983
- Meeting Date
- 5-Apr-1954
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Appointment to the Burnaby Public Library Board
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport41291
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 37780
- Meeting Date
- 14-Sep-1959
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 37780
- Meeting Date
- 14-Sep-1959
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Burnaby Public Library Application to Use the Building Occupied by the Engineering Department for Library Purposes
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport44023
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 43288
- Meeting Date
- 9-Apr-1956
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 43288
- Meeting Date
- 9-Apr-1956
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
North Burnaby Public Library
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport41706
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 37368
- Meeting Date
- 26-Jan-1959
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 4
- Item No.
- 7
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 37368
- Meeting Date
- 26-Jan-1959
- Format
- Council - Manager's Report
- Manager's Report No.
- 4
- Item No.
- 7
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
North Burnaby Public Library Association Building Addition Plans
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription8039
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- Proposed extension and remodelling of building for North Burnaby Library Association.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 10994
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- Proposed extension and remodelling of building for North Burnaby Library Association.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Proposed Extension of the North Burnaby Public Library Building
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport47414
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 47334
- Meeting Date
- 25-Sep-1950
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 47334
- Meeting Date
- 25-Sep-1950
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Alan Emmott
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36172
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1958]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alan Emmott, taken in a studio and used as an official council photograph. He was on the council from 1958-1968, 1971, 1974-1987, serving as Mayor from 1958-1968.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1958]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 11 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 231-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Alan Emmott, taken in a studio and used as an official council photograph. He was on the council from 1958-1968, 1971, 1974-1987, serving as Mayor from 1958-1968.
- Names
- Emmott, Alan H.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Croton Studio Limited
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36138
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1956 or 1957]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1956 or 1957]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 226-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There is snow on the ground and the three men are wearing winter coats.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Fire Trucks
- Occupations - Fire Fighters
- Buildings - Civic - City Halls
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Officials - Mayors and Reeves
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Dominion Photo Company
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Other title info: photographer's negative no. 38487
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Burnaby's second fire truck
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36139
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of fireman Abe Killer sitting behind the wheel of Burnaby's second fire truck, a 1927 Packard. Albert "Abe" Killer was a fireman from 1936 to 1952.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 226-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of fireman Abe Killer sitting behind the wheel of Burnaby's second fire truck, a 1927 Packard. Albert "Abe" Killer was a fireman from 1936 to 1952.
- Names
- Killer, Albert "Abe"
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Grace McGill and Reeve Emmott
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36136
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 15, 1951
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grace McGill & Reeve Allan Emmott at the opening of the McGill Branch.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 15, 1951
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 225-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grace McGill & Reeve Allan Emmott at the opening of the McGill Branch.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Libraries
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Albert Street
- Street Address
- 4595 Albert Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Grace McGill inside McGill Annex
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36134
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 15, 1951
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm, mounted on board 15 x 40.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (Mrs.) William Beck, Grace McGill, and Lois Stevenson each holding stacks of books at the opening of the McGill Annex.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 15, 1951
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm, mounted on board 15 x 40.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 225-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1989-22
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (Mrs.) William Beck, Grace McGill, and Lois Stevenson each holding stacks of books at the opening of the McGill Annex.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Libraries
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Cunningham, Bill
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph was originally mounted in a booklet style folder, with a stamp on the recto that reads: "BURNABY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR REFERENCE USE IN LIBRARY ONLY" a stamp in the interior that reads: "COMPLIMENTS VANCOUVER DAILY PROVINCE" and a stamp on the verso that reads: "Bill Cunningham, Vancouver, B.C."
- Geographic Access
- Albert Street
- Street Address
- 4595 Albert Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97124
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Physical Description
- ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
- History
- The Burnaby Historical Society was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed a community archives by collecting, compiling and preserving various materials with historical value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered miscellaneous documents, photographs and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Historical Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to collect and expand their holdings. After the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Burnaby Historical Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records and photographs that had been collected by the Historical Society were transferred into the custody of the City and were moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill Branch of the Burnaby Public Library. The Burnaby Historical Society disbanded in 2018.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Sound Recording
- Creator
- Burnaby Historical Society
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64462
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910] (date of original) -1993
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Photographs and other material
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's Image Bank project records. Records include: Image Bank database and backups in a variety of formats; 813 photographs collected by Simon Fraser University Archives staff; eleven screened negatives from the Burnaby Image Bank that were us…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910] (date of original) -1993
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- Photographs and other material
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Access Restriction
- Open Access
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- BHS2004-13
- BHS2001-15
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's Image Bank project records. Records include: Image Bank database and backups in a variety of formats; 813 photographs collected by Simon Fraser University Archives staff; eleven screened negatives from the Burnaby Image Bank that were used for the publication "Burnaby: A Cultural Inventory and Resource Guide"; and one VHS tape and DVD access copy of "Burnaby's Photographic Family Album / Burnaby Image Bank Collection / Volume 1 / 1992" which was created by the Committee for public viewing and purchase. The collection of photographs for the Image Bank project were gathered from various donors to commemorate the Centennial of the City of Burnaby. All photographs were collected from Burnaby families' personal albums by Simon Fraser University Archives staff during 1991 with a focus on the history of the people and the landscape of Burnaby. Photographs were collected from every decade for every neighbourhood in effort to describe the City's evolving ethnic, cultural and physical landscape. In March 1992, 20 of these images were selected by a jury for their aesthetic quality and displayed at the Bennett Library Gallery at Simon Fraser University for the "Images of Burnaby" exhibition. This exhibit travelled to various locations between 1992-1993 within Burnaby and Douglas College in New Westminster. The entire 800+ collection was made available for public purchase and viewing on video cassette. As well, each Burnaby school and each branch of the Burnaby Public Library received their own VHS copy for information and research purposes. The "Image Bank" video collection was buried alongside the video "Images and Voices of Burnaby" in the City of Burnaby's time capsule, mounted at City Hall in 1992.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Moving Images
- Creator
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee
- Notes
- Title based on contents of subseries
- PC 370, MSS131, MSS088, MI577
Hazel Simnett collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription71379
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1996]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1910-1996]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hazel Simnett collection
- Physical Description
- 13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2013-22
- 2012-03
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.
- History
- Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 to Frederick and Mary Ann Simnett and grew up looking up to her father who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. Hazel attended Kingsway West Public School and Burnaby South High School in Burnaby. During the 1970s, Hazel was President of the Century Park Museum Association, which governs Burnaby Heritage Museum and published the work "Bygones of Burnaby". Hazel worked on the campaign team of Joan Sawicki from 1990 to 1991, which led Sawicki to be elected as Burnaby-Willingdon riding's MLA. Hazel volunteered her time to be a member of the Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission from 1993 to 1996. In 2006, Hazel won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Graphic Material
- Creator
- Simnett, Hazel
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- MSS167
Interview with Hazel Simnett by Eric Damer October 27, 2012 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory401
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1942-1975
- Length
- 0:08:03
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementar…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementary school classroom in the nineteen-thirties. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview.
- Date Range
- 1942-1975
- Photo Info
- Hazel Simnett standing in a garden, with a small dog in her arms [194-]. Item no. 549-063.
- Length
- 0:08:03
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 27, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Hazel Simnett conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 27, 2012. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview. Major theme discussed: political activism in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 and grew up looking up to her father Frederick Simnett who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. In 2006, Hazel Simnett won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:36:12
- Interviewee Name
- Simnett, Hazel
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track three of recording of interview with Hazel Simnett
Track three of recording of interview with Hazel Simnett
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-024/MSS171-024_Track_3.mp3Robert Prittie collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97231
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955-1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Prittie collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 20 cm of textual records and 120 b&w and col. prints.
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of papers created and collected by Robert Prittie, former Mayor of Burnaby. Records include photographs of Mayor Prittie during official City functions as well as the textual records that he created and collected during his political career, including election materials.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1955-1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Robert Prittie collection
- Physical Description
- 20 cm of textual records and 120 b&w and col. prints.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2009-13
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of papers created and collected by Robert Prittie, former Mayor of Burnaby. Records include photographs of Mayor Prittie during official City functions as well as the textual records that he created and collected during his political career, including election materials.
- History
- Born in North Vancouver on December 5, 1919, Robert “Bob” William Prittie was the first of four sons born to Wilmot Prittie and Mary Adair. As a child, his health was weaker than younger brothers Bill, Eric, and Halford, as he suffered from Polio and asthma. Bob was an industrious youth who left school early to work in a department store warehouse. At the outbreak of World War II, Bob enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and spent the duration of the war serving on the ground in Canada at the Patricia Bay Air Force Base and the No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in Manitoba, completing his high school education through correspondence courses. While at the Patricia Bay Air Force Base, he met pre-school teacher Grace King of Sidney, Vancouver Island. By 1940, they were married and soon after, had their first son, Robert King. In 1945, Bob was discharged from the air force with the rank of sergeant and entered the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in history. After the war, Bob spent a few years working in Ottawa as a foreign-service officer, but he returned to UBC in 1949, receiving a diploma in education (post-graduate studies at Laval University and Western Washington State College). Bob returned to Burnaby in 1950, following the tragic death of their son. Bob immediately began teaching. Over the next 13 years, he taught at Sperling Avenue School, McPherson Park Junior High School, Burnaby South High School, and Burnaby North High School. He and Grace went on to have three more children: Heather in 1951; Bruce in 1953; and Ian in 1955. In 1959, he was elected to serve as a member of the municipal Council, re-elected and serving until the end of his term in 1962, when he left to serve as Member of Parliament for the Burnaby-Richmond riding. He held that office until 1968. In January 1969, Bob first took office as Mayor of Burnaby and in that capacity served on the GVRD as a Director for a number of years. In May of 1973, Bob decided to resign as Mayor of Burnaby in order to take up a position as Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs. In 1975, he was appointed as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, a post he held for a short time. After his tenure as Minister, Bob retired from public life and he and his second wife Isobel Pothecary moved to Victoria. Isobel had three children from a previous marriage: Alan; Deirdre; and Fiona. Bob left an enduring legacy for the citizens of Burnaby as a champion of schools, libraries, and parks and recreation programs. In 1978, he was awarded the title of Freeman of the Municipality. In 1991, a new branch of the Burnaby Public Library was opened and named after him. His status as Freeman and the naming of the library in his honour are testament to his record of service and dedication to the community and its citizens. Bob died on January 14, 2002.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Notes
- Photo catalogue 505, MSS128
Robert Prittie subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription113
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950-2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consist of records created and collected by Robert Prittie during his teaching and political careers and following his retirement from public office. Records include Burnaby Teachers Association and other school organization records, election papers, and copies of various City reports an…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950-2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Robert Prittie subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and photographs
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-01
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consist of records created and collected by Robert Prittie during his teaching and political careers and following his retirement from public office. Records include Burnaby Teachers Association and other school organization records, election papers, and copies of various City reports and meeting minutes. Also included are photographic postcards of Burnaby, photographs of Robert Prittie attending official City functions, and aerial photographs of industrial and business sites in Burnaby.
- History
- Born in North Vancouver on December 5, 1919, Robert “Bob” William Prittie was the first of four sons born to Wilmot Prittie and Mary Adair. As a child, his health was weaker than younger brothers Bill, Eric and Halford, as he suffered from Polio and asthma. Bob was an industrious youth who left school early to work in a department store warehouse. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Bob enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and spent the duration of the war serving on the ground in Canada at the Patricia Bay Air Force Base and the No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in Manitoba, completing his high school education through correspondence courses. While at the Patricia Bay Air Force Base, he met pre-school teacher Grace King of Sidney, Vancouver Island. By 1940 they were married and soon after, had their first son, Robert King. In 1945, Bob was discharged from the air force with the rank of sergeant and entered the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in history. After the war, Bob spent a few years working in Ottawa as a foreign-service officer, but he returned to UBC in 1949, receiving a diploma in education. He later undertook post-graduate studies at Laval University and Western Washington State College. Bob returned to Burnaby in 1950 following the tragic death of their son. He immediately began teaching. Over the next thirteen years, he taught at Sperling Avenue School, McPherson Park Junior High School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby North High School. He and Grace went on to have three more children: Heather in 1951, Bruce in 1953, and Ian in 1955. In 1959 he was elected to serve as a member of the municipal Council, re-elected and serving until the end of his term in 1962 when he left to serve as Member of Parliament for the Burnaby-Richmond riding. He held that office until 1968. In January 1969, Bob first took office as Mayor of Burnaby and in that capacity served on the GVRD as a Director for a number of years. In May of 1973, he decided to resign as Mayor of Burnaby in order to take up a position as Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and in 1975 he was appointed as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, a post he held for a short time. After his tenure as Minister, Bob retired from public life and he and his second wife Isobel Pothecary moved to Victoria. Isobel had three children from a previous marriage: Alan, Deirdre and Fiona. Bob left an enduring legacy for the citizens of Burnaby as a champion of schools, libraries and parks and recreation programs. In 1978 he was awarded the title of "Freeman of the Municipality" and in 1991 a new branch of the Burnaby Public Library was opened and named after him. His status as Freeman and the naming of the library in his honour are testament to his record of service and dedication to the community and its citizens. Robert Prittie died on January 14, 2002.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Prittie, Robert W. "Bob"
- Notes
- PC368, PC369, PC498, MSS086, MSS127
- Title based on contents and creator of subseries