Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Shirley Cohn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on …

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Shirley Cohn Location of Interviews: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Dates: April 14, 2023 and September 6, 2023 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 67 min., 33 sec. Digital master recording (wav) recording of second interview (50 min., 36 sec.) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on September 6, 2023: 0:00 – 16:09 Shirley Cohn shares background information about her parents who immigrated to Detroit from Hungary in the 1930’s. Shirley recalls what it was like for her parents being Jewish during World War II and how many of their relations were killed in the Holocaust. Shirley talks about her Jewish Hungarian heritage, what it was like growing up in Detroit, the Jewish community in Detroit and the Jewish holidays and traditions that her family celebrated. Shirley recalls her high school and University education and experiences, starting her career in social work and how she met her future husband, Theodore “Ted” Cohn. 16:10 – 18:27 Shirley shares the story about her father in law, Dr. Daniel E. Cohn who was Harry Houdini’s doctor at the time of his death in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1926. Shirley explains that she donated some of Dr. Daniel E. Cohn’s original documents pertaining to this event to the New York Public Library. 18:28 – 26:04 Shirley describes her experiences living and working in London Ontario while her husband was a professor at University of Western Ontario and Shirley worked as a social worker in family services. Shirley recalls experiences of anti-Semitism while living in London. Shirley talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977 after her husband took a job as a professor at Simon Fraser University. Shirley describes her experiences living in Burnaby, raising a family and working as a social worker at Burnaby General Hospital. 26:05 – 26:18 Shirley talks about her interests outside of work, her family’s involvement in the Burquest Jewish Community Association and being a member of Temple Shalom. Shirley conveys information about other Jewish synagogues in Greater Vancouver, describes Reform Judaism at Temple Shalom and some Jewish cultural practices that her family has been involved with. 26:19 – 33:12 Shirley describes her family’s experiences living in the Garden Village nieghbourhood in Burnaby, her involvement sharing Jewish cultural traditions at her children’s school and recalls her children’s experiences attending school in Burnaby. 33:13 – 40:46 Shirley conveys the career paths that her children took and talks about what she likes about living in Burnaby including; the walking and hiking trails, the cultural and art performances and her involvement in local politics. Shirley talks about her and her husband’s involvement in the SFU retirees association and the SFURA walking and hiking group. Shirley reflects on her husband’s academic career, experiences teaching at SFU and the role of the Hillel Jewish Students Association at the Simon Fraser University. Shirley talks about the difficulties of discussing political views about the State of Israel. Shirley describes some traditional Jewish foods, the roles that they play and a local bakery that carries Jewish bake goods. 40:47 – 50:36 Shirley describes her current daily life in Burnaby; working one day a week as a social worker, gardening, her involvement at Temple Shalom and the Jewish Community Centre and how she travels in Burnaby. Shirley recalls the changes that she’s encountered in Burnaby and in her career over the years, shares a story about her husband losing his thesis and describes what Burnaby was like while she was raising her family. Shirley shares what she thinks about the areas of development in Burnaby and conveys the importance of having parks and affordable housing. In closing, Shirley reflects on what is like to be a Jewish person living in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Shirley Tanner was born in Detroit in 1947. Her parents were both Jewish. Her mother fled Hungary as a refugee in 1939, while her father emigrated from there in 1934. Shirley attended public schools in Detroit, and then studied social work at the University of Michigan. After marriage, Shirley and Ted Cohn moved to Ontario where Ted had a faculty appointment at the University of Western Ontario in political science. Six years later they moved to Burnaby for Ted’s teaching position in political science at Simon Fraser University. While living in Burnaby, Shirley took care of a growing family while also practicing social work, mainly at Burnaby Hospital. The family enjoyed Burnaby’s libraries and parks. Shirley helped out at her children’s schools, became a Block Watch captain, and the family joined Burquest Jewish Community Association. The Cohns later became members of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Vancouver, while remaining in Burnaby. Beginning in 2009, Ted started an informal hiking group for retired Simon Fraser University staff. This group has been open to others, so now has a wide variety of members. Shirley has also helped lead hikes in the region. 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; Recreational Activities - Hiking; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Religions - Judaism; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Wars - World War, 1939-1945

Names: Cohn, Dr. Daniel E.; Cohn, Shirley; Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted"; Burquest; Hillel Jewish Students Association; Simon Fraser University; SFURA walking and hiking group; Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA"; Temple Shalom

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Summary, recording and transcript of second interview available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0001_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_003.mp3

Burnaby Historical Society Christmas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98456

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1999 and 2010]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 24 photographs : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Scope and Content: File contains photographs from a Burnaby Historical Society Christmas party held in the ice cream parlour at the Burnaby Village Museum. The party included a performance by a group of burlesque dancers in retro costumes and visit by Santa Claus.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1999 and 2010]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Administration series

Physical Description: 24 photographs : col. ; 10 cm x 15 cm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 633-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2020-06

Scope and Content: File contains photographs from a Burnaby Historical Society Christmas party held in the ice cream parlour at the Burnaby Village Museum. The party included a performance by a group of burlesque dancers in retro costumes and visit by Santa Claus.

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas; Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Burnaby Historical Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photographs; 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.

Street Address: 6501 Deer Lake Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Burnaby Historical Society Christmas, [between 1999 and 2010] thumbnail

Dance Me Home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9680

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 39 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: In "Dance Me Home", Barbara Karmazyn talks about the important role that dance has played in her life. Awakening as a dancer in her late twenties she created a career as an expressive arts facilitator, sharing her love of dance and the arts with people of all ages and abilities. After years of phys…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 39 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: In "Dance Me Home", Barbara Karmazyn talks about the important role that dance has played in her life. Awakening as a dancer in her late twenties she created a career as an expressive arts facilitator, sharing her love of dance and the arts with people of all ages and abilities. After years of physical demands, her body began to break down, sending her into the quagmire of “trying to fix it”. Frustrated with traditional therapies Barbara went back to dance, enrolling in a Community Engaged Dance class for people over 55. Dancing and socializing with other women her age, she learned to re connect to her body and adjust to the physical limitations of aging.

Creator: Karmazyn, Barbara

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Karmazyn, Barbara

Accession Code: BV016.37.11

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

Dance Me Home, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0011_001.mp4

Interview with Betty Blair by Eric Damer October 17, 2012 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory301

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1939-2012

Length: 0:10:46

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of popular culture activities that she has enjoyed. Betty discusses listening to the radio, singing around the piano and going out to the theatre as a girl. She also mentions her more recent pottery practice.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of popular culture activities that she has enjoyed. Betty discusses listening to the radio, singing around the piano and going out to the theatre as a girl. She also mentions her more recent pottery practice.

Date Range: 1939-2012

Photo Info: Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5.

Length: 0:10:46

Subjects: Recreational Activities

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 17, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 17, 2012. Major theme discussed: life in Burnaby during the war years.

Biographical Notes: Betty Warburton (later Atkinson) (later Blair) was born in 1926 and grew up at three different locations on Frederick Avenue in Burnaby. She went to school in Burnaby; first at Kingsway West for two years, then Nelson Avenue and then Burnaby South High School where she completed senior matriculation. After graduation, Betty worked for a few years in Vancouver before marrying her first husband Don Atkinson and raising their children in Burnaby. Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair has participated in a range of activities from hiking and Girl Guides to volunteer arthritis care. By the nineteen-sixties she had began to learn pottery and take lessons at Mather House in Burnaby.

Total Tracks: 6

Total Length: 0:59:03

Interviewee Name: Blair, Betty Warburton Atkinson

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of recording of interview with Betty Blair

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-003/MSS171-003_Track_6.mp3

Interview with Charmaine Bayntun by Eric Damer October 22, 2012 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory292

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1955-2012

Length: 0:09:31

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun's memories of childhood recreational activities and early friendships. She discusses the canning practices of her family as well.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun's memories of childhood recreational activities and early friendships. She discusses the canning practices of her family as well.

Date Range: 1955-2012

Photo Info: Charmaine Yanko (later Bayntun) nursing a goat from a bottle, [1969]. Item no. 549-015.

Length: 0:09:31

Subjects: Recreational Activities; Geographic Features - Gardens

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 22, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 22, 2012. Major themes discussed are: education and family heritage.

Biographical Notes: At the age of twenty, John Ivan Yanko met his future wife Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" Carman while visiting relatives in Burnaby. Lillian received a rail pass because of her dad’s employment with the CPR and at fourteen had gone to visit her Godmother in Burnaby. John Ivan Yanko and Lillian Doris (Carman) Yanko were married October 16, 1948 in Nelson, British Columbia and moved into the basement of John’s sister’s house on Union Street. Lillian began working at the downtown Woodward’s store as a cashier in 1948. In 1950, the young couple bought property at 7385 (later renumbered 7391) Broadway in Burnaby and began constructing a house as they could afford it. Knowing she’d be let go if she was pregnant, when Lillian was expecting her first child, Jenny sewed her several versions of the same outfit; they all used the same material, but each was a little bit larger than the last to accommodate her expanding girth. Rhonda, born in 1953 and Charmaine, born in 1955, grew up in the Broadway home. They attended school at Sperling Elementary, and later at Burnaby North high school. Lillian left her job to be a stay-at-home mom when Rhonda was born, but that changed in 1963 when John and Charmaine were in a car accident that left John temporarily unable to work. John Yanko later returned to work, establishing his own tile setting business and working until age eighty-two. John and Lillian lived out the rest of their married lives on the Broadway property. John Ivan Yanko passed away in 2010; his wife Lillian Doria Leida (Carman) Yanko passed away in 2011. Charmaine (Yanko) Bayntun completed her schooling in Burnaby and became a teacher for twenty-two years, followed by ten years as a Burnaby elementary school principal.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:24

Interviewee Name: Bayntun, Charmaine "Sherrie" Yanko

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Charmaine Yanko (later Bayntun) nursing a goat from a bottle, [1969]. Item no. 549-015. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Charmaine Bayntun

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-002/MSS171-002_Track_2.mp3

Interview with Dennis Brown by Eric Damer September 18, 2012 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory310

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1960-2012

Length: 0:08:58

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Dennis Brown's memories of recreational activities he and his wife Cice (Chandler) Brown and their children participated in. He discusses the changes that he's seen in Burnaby, mainly as density increases.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Dennis Brown's memories of recreational activities he and his wife Cice (Chandler) Brown and their children participated in. He discusses the changes that he's seen in Burnaby, mainly as density increases.

Date Range: 1960-2012

Photo Info: Dennis Brown (far left) with his wife Cice (Chandler) Brown (far right) and their five children, [1964]. Item no. 549-018.

Length: 0:08:58

Subjects: Recreational Activities

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: September 18, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Dennis Brown conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 18, 2012. Major theme discussed: life in Burnaby during the war years.

Biographical Notes: Dennis Brown’s family moved from North Vancouver to South Burnaby, near Central Park, in 1941. Dennis finished his high school in Burnaby and enlisted in the air force, completing basic training. He returned to Burnaby looking for work and found employment stoking the boiler of a cargo ship. He and a friend spent the next year sailing around the world. When Dennis returned to Burnaby, he found work at a local shingle mill, married Cice Chandler and began work on a new home at Willingdon and Imperial. He and Cice had two children in 1948 and 1950, and three more in the later nineteen-fifties. By this time, Dennis had retrained as an accountant and worked in several large businesses in Vancouver. In their later years, both Dennis and Cice were active in the restoration of the Parker Carousel and Interurban 1223 (now on display at the Burnaby Village Museum) and both were honoured independently with “Citizen of the Year” awards. Cice (Chandler) Brown was, additionally, Honourary Reeve of the Burnaby Village Museum.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:43:57

Interviewee Name: Brown, Dennis

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Dennis Brown (far left) with his wife Cice (Chandler) Brown (far right) and their five children, [1964]. Item no. 549-018. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track five of recording of interview with Dennis Brown

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-005/MSS171-005_Track_5.mp3

Interview with Don and Orville Jantzen by Eric Damer November 19, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory352

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1956-2012

Length: 0:05:19

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Don Jantzen's memories of going to supper clubs and participating in sports leagues. Don and Orville Jantzen discuss the Gai Paree Supper Club, the Chicken Coop (the beer parlour where Don's labour meetings were held) and curling at the Burnaby Winter Club.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Don Jantzen's memories of going to supper clubs and participating in sports leagues. Don and Orville Jantzen discuss the Gai Paree Supper Club, the Chicken Coop (the beer parlour where Don's labour meetings were held) and curling at the Burnaby Winter Club.

Date Range: 1956-2012

Photo Info: Don Jantzen, [198-]. Item no. 549-040.

Length: 0:05:19

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Subjects: Recreational Activities

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: November 19, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Don Jantzen and his brother Orville Jantzen conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 19, 2012. Major themes discussed are: political activism and the trade union movement.

Biographical Notes: Don Jantzen came to Vancouver from the prairies following the war, found work, married, and settled in Burnaby in 1950. Through his work as a longshoreman, Don became active in the trade union movement (ILWU) and eventually became vice president of the Vancouver local. He was also active in politics, helping to launch the Burnaby Citizen’s Association in the early nineteen-fifties and working as campaign manager for candidates in both the provincial and the federal New Democratic Party (NDP). Don has been a participant in local politics for many years as well as a supporter of Habitat for Humanity. Don's younger brother, Orville Jantzen, was born in Saskatchewan but grew up in South Vancouver. He is married with two children. Orville began his career as a salesman for a Burnaby bakery and remained in the food and beverage industry, working in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Since retiring, Orville has been engaged with Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:30:32

Interviewee Name: Jantzen, Don; Jantzen, Orville

Interview Location: Interviewee's residence

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Don Jantzen, [198-]. Item no. 549-040. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Don and Orville Jantzen

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-015/MSS171-015_Track_4.mp3

Interview with John and Julia Poole by Eric Damer November 24, 2012 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory386

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1958-2012

Length: 0:04:46

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to John Poole and Julia (Kong) Poole's memories of growing up in Burnaby in the nineteen-sixties. Both John and Juila have fond memories of freedom in recreational activities. Julia mentions that they were married at Burnaby Village Museum in 1980.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to John Poole and Julia (Kong) Poole's memories of growing up in Burnaby in the nineteen-sixties. Both John and Juila have fond memories of freedom in recreational activities. Julia mentions that they were married at Burnaby Village Museum in 1980.

Date Range: 1958-2012

Photo Info: Julia Kong (later Poole) while at Burnaby North High School, [1968]. Item no. 549-058.

Length: 0:04:46

Subjects: Recreational Activities

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: November 24, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with John Poole and Julia (Kong) Poole conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, November 24, 2012. Major themes discussed are: education and recreational activities of the ninteen-sixties.

Biographical Notes: Julia Kong's father moved his family to Capitol Hill in 1953 when Julia was two years old. Julia attended Capitol Hill Elementary and later Burnaby North High School, where she was active in student politics and as a cheerleader. Outside of school she participated in Girl Guides, was an active swimmer, and volunteered in various capacities. After graduation, Julia studied to become a teacher, which included a practicum at Capitol Hill Elementary, and then began a career in education. John Poole, whose father had transferred to the Burnaby RCMP in 1961 when John was ten, attended Burnaby North High School at the same time as Julia, but had earlier attended Schou Street and Lochdale Elementary Schools. John was active in baseball, soccer, and Boy Scouts, and took a keen interest in cars. After high school he opened a transmission shop in Abbotsford before settling into a career with the Vancouver Fire Department. John and Julia married at the Burnaby Village Museum church in 1980 and began their family roots with their first home on Capitol Hill. They later moved with their three children to Surrey where Julia continues to work for the Surrey School district and John is enjoying his retirement.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 1:03:16

Interviewee Name: Poole, Julia Kong; Poole, John

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

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Julia Kong (later Poole) while at Burnaby North High School, [1968]. Item no. 549-058. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eight of recording of interview with John and Julia Poole

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-021/MSS171-021_Track_8.mp3

Laying Down My Paddle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9677

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 min., 14 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created was Cindy Gierarch. The film shares happy memories of canoeing with her husband, Lester, on beautiful glacier fed Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. This trip, in 2007, was a long dreamt of reward for paying off the mortgage on their Burnaby condo suite. While c…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (5 min., 14 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created was Cindy Gierarch. The film shares happy memories of canoeing with her husband, Lester, on beautiful glacier fed Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. This trip, in 2007, was a long dreamt of reward for paying off the mortgage on their Burnaby condo suite. While canoeing on the lake, Cindy learned a valuable lesson that she would never forget - “life will glide along smoothly and joyfully as long as I keep my paddle on the bottom of our canoe.”

History: Cindy Gierach has lived in Burnaby for the past 22 years.

Creator: Gierach, Cindy

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Canoeing; Geographic Features - Mountains

Names: Gierach, Cindy; Gierach, Lester

Accession Code: BV016.37.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

Laying Down My Paddle, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0008_001.mp4

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

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

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

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

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

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

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

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

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

History: Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Environmental Issues; Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection; Geographic Features; Geographic Features - Parks; Housing; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Writers; Persons - Volunteers; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Religions; Religions - Judaism

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

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

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

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Lake Area

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

Images

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

Documents

2023_0016_0006_004

Audio Tracks

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

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

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel Highlights

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12343

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1993] (date of original), digitized in 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (2 min., 9 sec.) : VHS, 29 fps, col. , sd.

Scope and Content: Film footage highlights about the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel. Film opens with title “Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel / Step back in time” followed by a montage of various events, programs and exhibits taking place at the museum. Montage is supported with background music and choral singi…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum film collection series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (2 min., 9 sec.) : VHS, 29 fps, col. , sd.

Scope and Content: Film footage highlights about the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel. Film opens with title “Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel / Step back in time” followed by a montage of various events, programs and exhibits taking place at the museum. Montage is supported with background music and choral singing, there is no narration.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - Museums; Recreational Devices - Carousels

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel

Responsibility: City of Burnaby

Accession Code: BV020.4.33

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1993] (date of original), digitized in 2020

Media Type: Moving Images

Related Material: See also: BV020.4.36; BV020.4.38; BV929.4.29b

Notes: Transcribed title from film

Images

Video

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel Highlights, [1993] (date of original), digitized in 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0004_0033_001.m4v

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel - promotional footage

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13063

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (29 min. , 33 sec.) : Betacam SP, 29 fps, col., sd.

Scope and Content: Item consists of promotional film footage for the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel". Film footage includes glimpses of the Burnaby Village Museum site with visitors touring the various exhibits and programs through museum's interpreters including Heritage Christmas, Easter Weekend, Labour Day Week…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum film collection series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (29 min. , 33 sec.) : Betacam SP, 29 fps, col., sd.

Scope and Content: Item consists of promotional film footage for the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel". Film footage includes glimpses of the Burnaby Village Museum site with visitors touring the various exhibits and programs through museum's interpreters including Heritage Christmas, Easter Weekend, Labour Day Week, Fall Fair Event and a final versions with highlights. Summary of Content: 00:00-00:27 Blank screen 00:28-00:48 SMPTE colour bar screen reads "Property of: / Burnaby Village Museum / and Carousel / copyright 2000". 00:49-00:58 Blank screen 00:59-12:44 Heritage Christmas with entertainers, Father Christmas, Print Shop, Blacksmith Shop, Seaforth School, Elworth House, Herbalist, Village exteriors, Christmas Carolers, Love Farmhouse and the C.W. Parker Carousel. 12:45-15:29 Easter Weekend: Entertainment, Ice Cream Parlour, Speeches, Easter Bonnet Parade, bunnies and chicks. 15:30-22:40 Canada Day Celebrations and Labour Day Week: Visitors arriving, flag waving, singing O'Canada, cake cutting and entertainment. 22:41-24:18 Fall Fair Event: harvest displays, potatoe sack races, baking and preserves competition, fortune telling, 24:19- 24:25 Blank screen 24:26-26:45 Highlight Video: "Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel / Step back in time...". Includes compiled footage some gathered from previous content. This footage is followed by edited promotional footage "Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel / Step back in time" which includes some of the previous film footage. 26:46-29:33 Blank screen

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Publisher: Voice of the Fraser Productions Inc. 2000

Subjects: Recreational Devices - Carousels

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; Shadbolt Centre for the Arts; Burnaby Art Gallery; C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel

Responsibility: Burnaby Village Museum - City of Burnaby

Accession Code: BV020.4.36

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Media Type: Moving Images

Related Material: See also: BV020.4.33; BV020.4.29b; BV929.4.38

Notes: Transcribed title from film content; Label inside videocassette case reads: Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel / Promotional footage: / 00:01:00:00 Heritage Christmas... / 00:12:50:00 Easter Weekend... / 00:15:43:00 Canada Day Celebrations ... / 00:20:17:00 Labour Day Week / 00:21:54:00 Fall Fair Event.../ 00:24:28:00 Highlight Video / (2:00)"

Images

Video

Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel - promotional footage, 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0004_0036_001.mp4

The C.W. Parker Carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10328

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 5, 2012

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. digital

Scope and Content: Fully restored carousel at Burnaby Village Museum. Carousel is pictured lit up from one side and is shown at its full height. The horses are riderless.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel series

Subseries: Carousel photographs subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. digital

Scope and Content: Fully restored carousel at Burnaby Village Museum. Carousel is pictured lit up from one side and is shown at its full height. The horses are riderless.

History: Taken at the Carousel 100th Anniversary event held on May 5, 2012 at the Burnaby Village Museum.

Subjects: Recreational Devices - Carousels; Events - Anniversaries

Names: C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel; Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV019.21.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: May 5, 2012

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 240

Scan Date: March 24, 2019

Scale: 96

Photographer: Scherp, Leanne

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

The C.W. Parker Carousel at the Burnaby Village Museum, May 5, 2012 thumbnail

Step Back in Time at the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12339

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (29 min. , 59 sec.) : VHS, 29 fps, col., sd.

Scope and Content: Film titled “Step Back in Time at the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel” includes narration by Archie Miller. The film opens with historical background regarding land settlement and development in Burnaby supported with historical images. The film then transverses into contemporary images and foota…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum film collection series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 videocassette (29 min. , 59 sec.) : VHS, 29 fps, col., sd.

Material Details: Sponsored in part by: The Burnaby Historical Society; Poetry Written by: Don Benson; Voices: Arlie Mason; Tom Worledge

Scope and Content: Film titled “Step Back in Time at the Burnaby Village Museum & Carousel” includes narration by Archie Miller. The film opens with historical background regarding land settlement and development in Burnaby supported with historical images. The film then transverses into contemporary images and footage of the Burnaby Village Museum which opened in Burnaby on November 19, 1971 in commemoration of British Columbia joining the confederation of Canada. The film’s title text, “Step Back / In Time / at the Burnaby Village / Museum & Carousel” appears a few minutes past the opening footage. Narration continues throughout the film along with interviews with various staff members and museum interpreters. The film is divided into various segments containing titles in order of appearance: “Deer Lake Park” provides glimpses of and information about Deer Lake Park, its heritage buildings and cultural facilities including The Burnaby Art Gallery, The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Burnaby Village Museum. “A Living Museum” takes you on a tour of some of the museum’s exhibits and programs through the museum’s interpreters. “The Magical Carousel” provides background on the historic C.W. Parker Carousel #119 that was restored and opened on the site in 1993. “Keeping History Alive” speaks to the interpretive, artifact and archival collection of the Burnaby Village Museum with information provided by Curator Colin Stevens, Assistant Curator Steve Turnbull and Assistant Director of Cultural Services, Denis Nokony. “A Step Back in Time” speaks to the various 1920s highlights and features that the museum has to offer. “Something Special / is Always Happening” tells of the annual events that the museum offers to capture the interests of visitors. “A Day at the / Burnaby Village / Museum & Carousel” includes Denis Nokony speaking about the importance of the museum and what it means to visitors and the community.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Publisher: Voice of the Fraser Productions Inc. 2000

Subjects: Recreational Devices - Carousels

Names: Burnaby Village Museum; Shadbolt Centre for the Arts; Burnaby Art Gallery; C.W. Parker no. 119 Carousel

Responsibility: Burnaby Village Museum - City of Burnaby

Accession Code: BV020.4.29b

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Media Type: Moving Images

Related Material: See also: BV020.4.33; BV020.4.36; BV929.4.38

Notes: Transcribed title from film content

Images

Video

Step Back in Time at the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel, 2000 (date of original), digitized in 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2020_0004_0029b_001.mp4

100 Years of Gilmore School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4488

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2017

Collection/Fonds: 100 Years of Gilmore School video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (34 min., 23 sec.) : digital, 29 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: "100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: 100 Years of Gilmore School video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (34 min., 23 sec.) : digital, 29 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: "100 Years of Gilmore School". Filmed by Yunuen Perez Vertti and made by the Heights Neighbourhood Association. The film includes interviews with former students and highlights their experiences through the Great Depression, the Second World War and the 1960s.

History: Yunuen Perez Vertti is a filmmaker and digital media artist originally from Mexico City. She has produced films for many public, private and non-profit organizations.

Creator: Perez Vertti, Yunuen

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Persons - Students; Events - Anniversaries

Names: Gilmore Avenue School

Responsibility: Heights Neighbourhood Association

Geographic Access: Gilmore Avenue

Street Address: 50 Gilmore Avenue

Accession Code: BV018.13.1

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2017

Media Type: Moving Images

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Notes: Transcribed title; Reproductions are restricted by copyright holder

Images

Video

100 Years of Gilmore School, 2017

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2018_0013_0001_001.mp4

Alfred's Fountain Pen

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9684

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: The video depicts the challenges of film maker Alfred Woo’s physical, social, and cultural transformation to a foreign country. Sentimentally prior to departing Hong Kong in 1954, Alfred was presented a fountain pen by some of his grade two classmates, a souvenir that he has cherished all these yea…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: The video depicts the challenges of film maker Alfred Woo’s physical, social, and cultural transformation to a foreign country. Sentimentally prior to departing Hong Kong in 1954, Alfred was presented a fountain pen by some of his grade two classmates, a souvenir that he has cherished all these years despite losing contact with them long ago. In his seniority, he muses poignantly about the symbolism of this writing instrument and shares his wonderment about the destiny of these childhood benefactors.

History: Immigrating from Hong Kong to Canada as a child, Alfred Woo easily assimilated into the Canadian way of life at an early age and has enjoyed the best of both worlds. A law graduate, his professional career included service as a Crown Counsel, securities administrator, corporate executive, and as private practitioner. He also served in the Canadian Army (Reserve Force) as a legal officer and an artillery officer before being honorably discharged at the rank of Major. A Burnaby resident for over 30 years, and now retired, he continues to volunteer helping seniors, a community service club, and a veterans group.

Creator: Woo, Alfred

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Woo, Alfred

Accession Code: BV016.37.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

Alfred's Fountain Pen, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0015_001.mp4

Community Hero: Recalling a Strathcona Story

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9681

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: The digital video tells the story of Gee Lam’s childhood experience of growing up in the Vancouver’s East End neighbourhood known as Strathcona. His story revolved around his father’s friend Harry Con who was a community activist in the Strathcona neighbourhood, as well as a volunteer “spy” for the…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: The digital video tells the story of Gee Lam’s childhood experience of growing up in the Vancouver’s East End neighbourhood known as Strathcona. His story revolved around his father’s friend Harry Con who was a community activist in the Strathcona neighbourhood, as well as a volunteer “spy” for the Canadian Armed forces in World War 2. Gee shares his personal life lessons learned from “uncle Harry” regarding the importance of standing up and fighting for what is right. Harry’s community contribution had embodied Martin Luther King’s social activist principles: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” In the eyes of Gee, Harry Con was an exemplary who modeled an old Chinese proverb: “Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown. To enjoy the benefits of the hard work of one’s predecessors.” Harry’s life of selfless contributions in shaping the Vancouver Chinese community will impact generations to come. This is a story that needs to be told to the next generation to encourage them to respect and remember that the benefits of a thriving community is derived from both past and present continuous collaborations for paving long term beneficial outcomes for everyone.

History: Gee Lam immigrated from Hong Kong and grew up in the Strathcona neighbourhood that was adjacent to Vancouver’s Chinatown. He is a long-time resident of Burnaby. He has lived in North Burnaby with his wife since 1985. He attended Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby campus and graduated in 1983. He obtained his M.Ed. in 2013 from SFU. He worked as a research assistant and workshop facilitator on the Elders’ Digital Storytelling project. He currently works at SFU’s Teaching and Learning Centre on top of Burnaby Mountain.

Creator: Lam, Gee Chung

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians

Names: Lam, Gee Chung

Geographic Access: Vancouver

Accession Code: BV016.37.12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

Video

Community Hero: Recalling a Strathcona Story, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0012_001.mp4

Farmer Boy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9678

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 2016

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 1…

1 image 1 video

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection

Series: Elders Digital Storytelling project series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 video recording (mp4) (6 min., 6 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo

Scope and Content: This film is created by Lester Gierarch. Part of the Gierach heritage his father instilled in him was the work ethic of “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This film shares Lester’s happy memories of working on the Y.Y. Sim farm, in Cloverdale, B.C., when he was 15 years old. He worked hard alongside Chinese men and women who were new immigrants to Canada as he helped to harvest lettuce and celery for 80 cents an hour. Through this experience Lester grew comfortable working with people of another culture who also knew the importance of working hard.

History: Lester Gierach has lived in Burnaby for the past 22 years.

Creator: Gierach, Lester

Other Title Information: title supplied by film maker

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Occupations - Agricultural Labourers; Occupations - Farmers

Names: Gierach, Lester

Accession Code: BV016.37.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 2016

Media Type: Moving Images

Notes: Transcribed title; The film was produced in 2016 as part of the Elders Digital Storytelling project. Digital storytelling is a form of narrative that creates short movies using relatively simple media technology. The project began in 2014 funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC) and AGE-WELL NCE grants. In partnership with the City of Burnaby, digital storytelling workshops were offered in Burnaby. The workshops helped older adults create short autobiographical films that tell a special story in their lives, complete with music, photos and narration. This film was produced at one of those workshops.

Images

Video

Farmer Boy, 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2016_0037_0009_001.mp4

Interview with Joanne Smith

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19601

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa t…

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (wav) (24 min., 55 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (24 min., 55 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Joanne Smith Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 24:55 Photograph information: Joanne and Stanis Smith cycling on the Salt Flats, Argentina Digital master recording (m4a) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Joanne Smith conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 0:00 - 04:04 Joanne Smith provides a brief overview of her immigration story and how she and her husband Stanis came to emigrate from South Africa to Canada in 1986. Joanne explains that they decided to leave South Africa during the Apartheid era and applied to several countries with Canada being their top choice. Joanne relates that they were accepted to Canada based on her professional skills as an occupational therapist. Joanne talks about what she liked about living in South Africa and how she especially loved walking in the game reserves. 04:05 - 11:44 Joanne provides background on her ancestors migration, her life in South Africa and details on her profession. Joanne imparts that her ancestors immigrated to South Africa from Latvia at the turn of the century to avoid conscription and for increased opportunities. Joanne provides a brief overview of her life in South Africa, places that she lived and her education. Joanne provides details and background regarding her practice as an occupational therapist. Joanne explains how she specializes in hand therapy but also works with animals and other varied treatments. 11:45 - 19:29 Joanne talks about her life in Burnaby. Joanne recollects how her family ended up living in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and provides a brief overview of her community involvement including the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Community Advisory Committee. Joanne shares some of her interests including; riding her tandem bicycle with her husband Stanis, thier love of opera and the symphony, attending concerts in Deer Lake Park and visiting Confederation with her grandchild. Joanne conveys that they like to support the local arts and that they commissioned a twig sculpture for their garden from local artist, Nickie Lewis. 19:30 - 24:55 Joanne shares that ten years after immigrating that they were able to bring family relations including Stanis' parents and brother. Joanne describes the benefits of having Stanis' parents residing with them and provides details on Stanis' parents community involvement in Burnaby. Joanne reflects on her association with her Jewish heritage. Joanne conveys that they aren’t religious but have maintained a few cultural aspects of their Jewish heritage including celebrating bat mitzvahs for both of their daughters and the importance of the Yiddish language. Joanne reflects on what she likes about living in Burnaby and how it’s changed over the 30 years that she’s lived here.

History: Interviewee biography: Joanne was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1958 and also spent some time in Klerksdorp and Johannesburg. Her formal education led to a career in occupational therapy, specializing in hand therapy. Uncomfortable with the social and political climate of South Africa at the time, she and her husband Stanis left for Canada in 1986. They soon settled in North Burnaby, where Joanne had a long-time friend, to pursue their respective careers and raise a family. The Smiths brought Stanis’s parents to Burnaby about 1996 and together built a new home. Joanne has been involved in school and community activities, enjoys Burnaby’s parks, and supports local fine arts, particularly music and performing arts. 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: Persons - Jewish Canadians; Migration; Religions - Judaism; Geographic Features - Parks; Arts; Performances; Performances - Concerts; Sports - Cycling

Names: Smith, Joanne; Smith, Stanis

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Park; Confederation Park

Accession Code: BV023.16.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

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

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Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0005_002

Audio Tracks

Interview with Joanne Smith, [1986-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0005_003.mp3

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12337

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Josephine Chow Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 7, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:43:19

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. The farm is situated in the Big Bend area along Marine Drive and is still in operation today. 0:00-08:45 Josephine Chow provides some historical background on the history of “Hop On Farm” and her family in British Columbia. She tells of how her grandfather Gay Tim Hong and three partners pooled money together to purchase twelve acres on Marine Drive in 1951. Prior to this, most of them farmed on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Reserve for 20-30 years. It all began when her great grandfather Sui Wing Hong, first came to Canada from China and slowly brought over her grandfather, father and other members of the family. Her grandfather, Gay Tim Hong went back and forth between Canada and China at least four times since he and her grandmother had four children including her father, who was born in 1931. Her father came to Canada at 10 years of age to live with his father. Josephine’s great grandfather came to Vancouver from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). 8:46- 14:20 Josephine provides the names of her siblings from the eldest to the youngest; Pauline, Josephine (herself), Catherine, Noreen, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. She describes what life was like on the farm with her parents working from sunrise to sunset. The family farmed vegetable produce taking orders from local stores in the lower mainland. Often the children helped their parents with the orders starting at eight or nine years of age. Other workers on the farm travelled by bus from Vancouver’s Chinatown. She also tells of how her father was an animal lover and raised chickens, pigeons, geese, koy, goldfish and dogs. 14: 21 – 16:56 Josephine describes what Burnaby was like during the time that she grew up in the late 1950s. She explains that Burnaby was very quiet with nothing being open on Sundays. On the farm, she and her siblings would entertain themselves by playing games like soccer, baseball and kick ball or also by catching frogs, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs. There were neighbours living on Marine Drive and almost every house had someone who we went to the same elementary school. The neighbourhood children would often come to play with them on their farm. 16:56- 26:47 Josephine describes how when they were young there were farms all around them and how on Sunday drives with her father, they would go to feed horses or look at the cows. Josephine shares that her elder sister Pauline was the only one born in China and how when she first arrived that she lived on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations Reserve with their parents before they moved to Burnaby. Josephine recollects that most of her friends were farmer’s kids from the neighbourhood but while in school, she had more Caucasian friends. Josephine and her siblings attended Glenwood Elementary on Marine Drive and later Junior Secondary at McPherson Park (grades 8-10) and Burnaby South Senior Secondary (grades 11-12. ). She shares some of her experiences while attending school. She said that there were about a dozen Asians in school with her, mostly from farming families in the “Flats”. 26:48- 30:45 Josephine describes what life was like for her and her siblings after school. They often helped on the farm when they got home, usually taking care of orders for green onions. Her mother made dinner and did all of the cooking for family and workers on the farm as well as working in the fields. Her father did all of the grocery shopping in Vancouver’s Chinatown two or three times per week where he purchased meat and fish. She says that her grandfather, often travelled by bus every Saturday or Sunday to meet up with friends in Chinatown. Extracurricular activities for her and her siblings included volley ball and soccer as long as it didn’t interfere with their work schedule on the farm. 30:46- 37:03 Josephine describes what occurred while living at home, the food they ate, shopping and attending Chinese school. Her mother cooked only Chinese food, she didn’t know how to cook “Western food”. For school lunches, the kids made their own sandwiches. She tells of a Chinese language school arranged by Mrs. Joe [sic] who lived on Gilley Road and was Canadian born Chinese. Mrs. Joe [sic] also arranged an English class for farmer’s wives on Tuesday nights in which her mother attended. Josephine recollects learning Mandarin from Mrs. Joe [sic] a few days a week after her regular school. Chinese school took place at Riverway School on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Mrs. Joe also taught them a lot about Chinese culture including Kung Fu, Chinese Dance and Chinese brush painting. 37:04- 39:39 Josephine describes Medical Care for her and her family in the 1950s and 1960s. She tells of a female Chinese doctor in Vancouver, Dr. Madeline Chung. Dr. Chung was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine. The family also visited herbalists in Vancouver Chinatown. They would often buy herbs for colds etc. Josephine also tells of how her parents stayed in touch with family in China by writing letters. Her mother’s family, including her parents and siblings were still in China while most of her father’s family were here in Canada. 39:40- 43:19 – In closing, Josephine shares how life is much busier now and of how she misses the quietness of her days growing up. She briefly describes her life on the family farm now and how different it is from when her parents worked the farm. She explains how farming methods have changed and how they don’t have to work as hard as her parents did.

History: Interviewee biography: Josephine Chow (nee Hong) is the second eldest child of Chan Kow Hong and Sui Ha Hong. In 1925, Josephine's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong immigrated to Canada from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). In 1952, her father, Chan Kow Hong joined his father, Gay Tim Hong and by 1953, he established "Hop On Farms" in the Big Bend area of Burnaby near Marine Drive. Josephine grew up on the farm with her parents and six siblings; Pauline, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. In 1969, Josephine's elder sister Pauline and her husband Jack Chan took over the family farm and in 1972 their father and grandfather moved to Kamloops to open a restaurant. As an adult, Josephine worked in several different areas including owning and running her own Aesthetics business. Josephine eventually retired and returned to the farm to assist her siblings. The farm is still in operation. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Agriculture - Farms; Education; Buildings - Schools; First Nations reserves - British Columbia

Names: Chow, Josephine; Glenwood Elementary School; McPherson Park Junior Secondary School; ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV020.6.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Related Material: See also BV017.36*

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of interview; Photograph info: Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms [1969]. BV017.36.4

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0001_001.mp3

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