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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 10
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory481
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1965-1990
- Length
- 00:15:42
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
- Date Range
- 1965-1990
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:15:42
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track ten of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track ten of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_10.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory475
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1946-1987
- Length
- 00:06:32
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement in 1980 and going back to work for a solar panel manufacturing company, which led to building a plant in India.
- Date Range
- 1946-1987
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:06:32
- Subjects
- Occupations
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track four of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_4.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory477
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Length
- 00:13:27
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his frien…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his friend Mark Stockdale who was second president of the club for 16 years and creator of the rose garden on Burnaby Mountain.
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:13:27
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Sports - Soccer
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_6.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory478
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Commi…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Committee (BBC), his election to Burnaby Council in 1972 with BVA, and his membership in and work for the federal NDP
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:07:05
- Names
- Emmott, Alan H
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_7.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory479
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Length
- 00:10:17
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributi…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributions of Ratepayer groups and volunteers
- Date Range
- 1956-1990
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:10:17
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_8.mp3
Barn, paddock and out buildings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12818
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the barn, fenced paddocks and out buildings on the Lubbock family farm located at 7803 Burris Street.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the barn, fenced paddocks and out buildings on the Lubbock family farm located at 7803 Burris Street.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.485
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Buildings on Lubbock farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12783
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the cedar shingled rooftops of the Lubbock barn and out buildings that were located at at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake. Bushes, trees and tall grasses surround the buildings.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the cedar shingled rooftops of the Lubbock barn and out buildings that were located at at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake. Bushes, trees and tall grasses surround the buildings.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.460
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Chicken coop building
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12796
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a building that was used as a chicken coop on the Lubbock farm located at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a building that was used as a chicken coop on the Lubbock farm located at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.473
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Event photographs
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98421
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1973-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 267 photographs : col. ; 18 cm x 13 cm and smaller
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of various events, meetings, and other activities hosted by the Burnaby Historical Society as well as events and ceremonies attended by Society members.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1973-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Series
- Administration series
- Physical Description
- 267 photographs : col. ; 18 cm x 13 cm and smaller
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 633-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2020-06
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of various events, meetings, and other activities hosted by the Burnaby Historical Society as well as events and ceremonies attended by Society members.
- Subjects
- Events
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Photographs were originally contained in a photograph album and removed by Archives staff for preservation purposes. Original order of photographs within the album is maintained.
- Most photographs in file have handwritten notes on verso identifying the individuals and events depicted in the photographs.
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-1:633-003-10 reads: "BHS field trip to Yale 1973"
- Identification key for 633-003-15 available in accession file
- Identification key for 633-003-22 available in accession file
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-23:633-003-35 reads: "Christmas Party at the Home of Violet and Blythe Eagles"
- Identification key for 633-003-36 available in accession file
- 633-003-37:633-003-42 depict a presentation of the publication "Windows to Burnaby's Past"
- Labels on sleeves housing 633-003-43:633-003-50 reads: "1992 Conference BC Historical Federation / May 7, 8, 9, 1992 at Burnaby BC / Held at Sheraton Villa"
- Sticky noted adhered to verso of 633-003-54 read: 'Honorary life member Margaret Stoneberg with Past President John Spittle"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-59:633-003-74 reads: "Luncheon at Hart House May 7 1 pm".
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-68 reads: "Honorary Life Member, Margaret Stoneberg - May 8, 1992"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-69 reads: "Lunch at Hart House - Anne Yandle and Francis Wellwood in foreground"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-74 reads: "Ilma Dunn (Whiterock) Nancy Peter (Burnaby) Ernest Harris (Vancouver) Naomi Miller (Wasa)"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-75:633-003-85 reads: "Tour of Burnaby Village Museum 2pm"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-78 reads: "The visitors at Burnaby Village Museum - May 8, 1992"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-81 reads: "History Revisited! Don Sale at the teacher's desk in Seaforth School, Burnaby Village. Don took his practice teaching in this school!"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-86:633-003-91 reads: "May 9th Burnaby Mountain Park"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-92:633-003-103 reads: "Tour of Simon Fraser University"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-104:633-003-109 reads: "Lunch at SFU"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-110:633-003-144 reads: "Awards Banquet - Burnaby Lake Pavilion"
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-144 reads: "Four Burnaby Ladies / Joan Bellinger, Florence Hart Godwin, Helen Brown and Winn Roff relax before the Awards Banquet"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-145:633-003-151 reads: "Hart House Tea June 17/92"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-152:633-003-154 reads: "Discovery Day 1994"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-155:633-003-158 reads: "BHS receives first Burnaby Heritage Award 1993"
- Identification key for 633-003-155 available in accession file
- Sticky note adhered to 633-003-158 reads: "front row (l to r) Hazel L'Estrange, Mary Coe, Kay Moore / 2nd row (l to r) Una Carlson, Helen Street / 3rd row (l to r) Margaret Matorich, Pixie McGeachie"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-159:633-003-178 reads: "Official opening of the garden and restored Jubilee Arch Central Park 1994"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-180:633-003-235 reads: "Burnaby Historical Society June 25, 1997 40th Anniversary"
- Letter from the Beckleys, photographers of 633-003-236:633-003-239 available in accession file. Identification key for 633-003-237:633-003-238 available in accession file. Identification key for 633-003-239 available in accession file. Photographs depict 1989 sod turning ceremony for administration building at Burnaby Village Museum.
- Note accompanying 633-003-240 available in accession file
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-241:633-003-242 reads: "Burnaby Discovery Day Shadbolt Centre 1998"
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-243:633-033-246 reads: "BHS field trip to Kilby General Store and Farm June, 1998"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-247:633-003-249 reads: "Fraser Wilson Room Archives"
- Identification key for 633-003-252 available in accession file
- Label on sleeves housing 633-003-253:633-003-257 reads: "Heritage Award"
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-258:633-003-261 reads: "BCHF Conference May, 1999 Merritt, B.C."
- Label on sleeve housing 633-003-262:633-003-264 reads: "Burnaby "Hero" 2002"
- 633-003-267 is annotated: "Catherine Rees 90th Birthday Party". Photo is an inkjet print on paper.
Images
Farm building covered with brambles
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12811
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a wooden building on the Lubbock farm. The building is overgrown with blackberry bushes.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a wooden building on the Lubbock farm. The building is overgrown with blackberry bushes.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.478
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Farrier shed on Lubbock farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12816
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the farrier shed on Lubbock family farm. The farrier shed was moved to Heritage Village in 1977 and converted to a Tinsmith shop.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the farrier shed on Lubbock family farm. The farrier shed was moved to Heritage Village in 1977 and converted to a Tinsmith shop.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.483
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Farrier shed on Lubbock farm
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12817
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the farrier shed on Lubbock family farm. The farrier shed was moved to Heritage Village in 1977 and converted to a Tinsmith shop.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the farrier shed on Lubbock family farm. The farrier shed was moved to Heritage Village in 1977 and converted to a Tinsmith shop.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.484
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Fence and field
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12788
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a rail fence on the Lubbock farm at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake. The fence divides a road and field.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a rail fence on the Lubbock farm at 7803 Burris Street near Burnaby Lake. The fence divides a road and field.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.465
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Horse paddock
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12776
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddock and out buildings on the Lubbock farm.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddock and out buildings on the Lubbock farm.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.453
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Horse paddock
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12777
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddock and out buildings on the Lubbock farm. Burnaby mountain can be seen in the distance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddock and out buildings on the Lubbock farm. Burnaby mountain can be seen in the distance.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.454
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Horse paddocks and farm buildings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12778
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddocks and out buildings on the Lubbock farm. Burnaby mountain can be seen in the distance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Century Park Museum Association fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the fenced horse paddocks and out buildings on the Lubbock farm. Burnaby mountain can be seen in the distance.
- History
- In 1977, Century Park Museum was granted access to the Sprott-Lubbock farm to appraise the heritage buildings for preservation. Buildings that were saved included the old farrier shed (BV985.1240.2) which was also used as a blacksmith shop and the Vorce tram station building (BV985.1240.3) from the old Burnaby Lake Interurban line which was used as a grain storage shed on the property. Segments of the original farmhouse and other out buildings were retained. Other buildings on the site were demolished to make way for a new housing development.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Names
- Lubbock farm
- Geographic Access
- Grandview Highway
- Burris Street
- Street Address
- 7803 Burris Street
- Accession Code
- BV020.5.455
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Scan Resolution
- 2400
- Scan Date
- 13-Mar-20
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
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…
- 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](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
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![Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/549-026.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory323
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1957-1973
- Length
- 0:08:50
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of conservation practices in Burnaby, focusing on the lakes and ravines, including Burnaby Lake.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's memories of conservation practices in Burnaby, focusing on the lakes and ravines, including Burnaby Lake.
- Date Range
- 1957-1973
- Photo Info
- Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.
- Length
- 0:08:50
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 10, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 5
- Total Length
- 0:47:48
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony
- 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
![Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/549-026.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of interview with Tony Fabian
Track two of recording of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_2.mp3
Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory324
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1930-1994
- Length
- 0:07:32
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's understanding of how neighbourhood parks came about during the Depression. He also discusses the development of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's understanding of how neighbourhood parks came about during the Depression. He also discusses the development of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.
- Date Range
- 1930-1994
- Photo Info
- Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.
- Length
- 0:07:32
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 10, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 5
- Total Length
- 0:47:48
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony
- 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 Tony Fabian
Track three of recording of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory325
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1972-2012
- Length
- 0:11:59
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's involvement in the development of the Stream Preservation Bylaw in Burnaby. He discusses fish populations, air quality, and bird populations in Burnaby as well.
- Date Range
- 1972-2012
- Photo Info
- Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.
- Length
- 0:11:59
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 10, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 5
- Total Length
- 0:47:48
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony
- 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 four of recording of interview with Tony Fabian
Track four of recording of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_4.mp3