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Lewis & Millicent Physick Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark616
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1939
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Boundary Road North
- Associated Dates
- 1939
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- This modest residence was built for Lewis Baker Physick (1905-1971), a freight dispatcher for B.C. Motor Transport Company who later worked for B.C. Hydro, and Millicent Physick (née Edwards, 1894-1971), a hairdresser, who lived here until their respective deaths. Situated on a terraced lot with stone-clad retaining walls, this home was influenced by the British Arts and Crafts style, which remained popular throughout the 1930s. Such stylistic influence can be seen in the second floor overhang, which is supported by false beams, leaded casement windows and steeply pitched roof and front gable. The roofline is enhanced by a jerkin-headed roof on the front gable. Apart from the addition of a later south elevation extension, the house remains in excellent original condition. Located on an elevated site, this residence has an unobstructed view of downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Area
- 566.71
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 420 Boundary Road North
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
![Christ the King Seminary, [1939] (date of original), copied [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/416-003.jpg?width=280)
Christ the King Seminary
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38356
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1939] (date of original), copied [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph :b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Robert and Bessie Anderson house at Deer Lake, which was built in 1912. In 1939, the house was purchased by the Benedictine Monks for use as part of the Seminary of Christ the King. In 1971, the house was purchased by Burnaby to be used as part of the Arts Centre and, in 1992, wa…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1939] (date of original), copied [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Municipal record subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph :b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 416-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2001-6
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Robert and Bessie Anderson house at Deer Lake, which was built in 1912. In 1939, the house was purchased by the Benedictine Monks for use as part of the Seminary of Christ the King. In 1971, the house was purchased by Burnaby to be used as part of the Arts Centre and, in 1992, was designated as a city heritage site.
- Names
- Christ the King Seminary
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Christ the King Seminary, [1939] (date of original), copied [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/416-003.jpg)
![Christ the King Seminary, [1939] (date of original), copied [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/416-004.jpg?width=280)
Christ the King Seminary
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38357
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1939] (date of original), copied [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Robert and Bessie Anderson house at Deer Lake, which was built in 1912. In 1939, the house was purchased by the Benedictine Monks for use as part of the Seminary of Christ the King. In 1971, the house was purchased by Burnaby to be used as part of the Arts Centre and, in 1992, wa…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1939] (date of original), copied [2001]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Municipal record subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 416-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2001-6
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Robert and Bessie Anderson house at Deer Lake, which was built in 1912. In 1939, the house was purchased by the Benedictine Monks for use as part of the Seminary of Christ the King. In 1971, the house was purchased by Burnaby to be used as part of the Arts Centre and, in 1992, was designated as a city heritage site.
- Names
- Christ the King Seminary
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Christ the King Seminary, [1939] (date of original), copied [2001] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/371/416-004.jpg)
Interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles 10-Jun-75 - Track 9
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory49
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1939-1945
- Length
- 0:10:53
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles and Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles' memories of activities they were involved in during the war years, including Red Cross Garden Parties and how different this time was from the days of the Depression.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Dr Blythe Alfred Eagles and Dr Violet Evelyn (Dunbar) Eagles' memories of activities they were involved in during the war years, including Red Cross Garden Parties and how different this time was from the days of the Depression.
- Date Range
- 1939-1945
- Photo Info
- Mrs. Dunbar, Dr. Blythe Eagles and Dr. Violet (Dunbar) Eagles, June 1967. Item no. 404-002
- Length
- 0:10:53
- Names
- Red Cross
- Subjects
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- 10-Jun-75
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and his wife Dr Violet Eagles by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury (and Ross S. McLeod) June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the War Years and Burnaby Lake District. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Blythe's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Their son Jack married Amelia Jane Johnston, and Blythe Eagles was born in New Westminster in 1902. In 1918 Blythe enrolled at the University of British Columbia, and took a Physiology class with eight other top students - his future wife, Violet Dunbar was the lone woman in the class. Blythe graduated in 1922, winning the Governor General's Gold Medal as top student. He received his MA in 1924 and his PhD in 1926 from the University of Toronto. He then completed his post-doctoral study at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. In 1933 Dr. Eagles became head of the Department of Dairying (1936-1955), Chairman of the Division of Animal Science (1955-1967), and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (in 1949 until his retirement in 1967). In 1968 he received an Honourary Doctor of Science Award from UBC Blythe was also one of the first appointments to the Burnaby Town Planning Commission. Violet Evelyn Dunbar was born September 29, 1899 in Ontario, the eldest child of John and Mary (Tompson) Dunbar. Violet attained her BA in 1921 and MA in 1922 from the University of British Columbia. In 1922 she attended the Provincial Normal School and within six months had a teaching certificate and taught at Lord Hudson School in 1923. In September 1923 she was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she joined Blythe in the Bio-Chemistry Department. She received a second MA and a PhD in 1929. Her graduate studies entailed research in pure proteins and enzymes related to the commercial production of cheese. Through this work she was recognized as one of the leading enzyme chemists in the country, being a senior lab instructor of biochemistry. Violet was one of the founders of the Burnaby Council of Women and active member of the International Council of Women. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930. The Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles Estate is a unique expression of the talents and tastes of both the Eagles and Frank Ebenezer Buck (1875-1970) who was head of the Horticultural Department and the Campus Landscape Architect at U.B.C. and established the plan for the Eagles garden while Blythe selected many of the plantings. The Eagles themselves designed the house as a romantic cottage inspired by the British Arts and Crafts style. Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby. The funds were used to establish a Chair in Agriculture at the University of British Columbia in their memory.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:24:01
- Interviewee Name
- Eagles, Dr. Blythe
- Eagles, Dr. Violet
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track nine of interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles
Track nine of interview with Dr Blythe Eagles and Dr Violet Eagles
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-08/100-13-08_Track_9.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory474
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1939-1946
- Length
- 00:04:30
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
- Date Range
- 1939-1946
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:30
- Subjects
- Education
- 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 three of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track three of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Eileen Kernaghan by Rod Fowler April 10, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory497
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1939-1990
- Length
- 00:09:08
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Eileen Kernaghan’s childhood, her education and teaching career, her marriage to Pat Kernaghan and their move to Burnaby, his work at Oakalla Prison, the opening of their Neville Street bookstore, and changes in their neighbourhood
- Date Range
- 1939-1990
- Photo Info
- Eileen Kernaghan standing in front of four poets at the Poetry Pocket Cafe in New Westminster, October 15, 1995. Item no. 535-0014
- Length
- 00:09:08
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- April 10, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Eileen Kernaghan, conducted by Rod Fowler. Eileen Kernaghan 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 mainly about Eileen Kernaghan’s activities with the Burnaby Writers’ Society and the Burnaby Arts Council, describing the history of these organizations between 1967 and 1990. She describes the financial and other challenges facing the arts community, the various programs initiated by the Arts Council, and the development of the Burnaby Arts Centre facilities at Deer Lake. She also talks about her education, writing career, the Neville Street neighbourhood, and her and her husband’s bookstore business. Ghosts believed to inhabit some of the Arts Centre's heritage buildings are also a topic of conversation. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Eileen Kernaghan was born January 6, 1939, to William Alfred Monk (1910-2003) and Belinda Maude Monk (1908-1996), and grew up on a dairy farm near Grindrod in the North Okanagan. She attended a two room school in Grindrod, completed Junior and Senior High School in Enderby, and at age 17 in 1956, left home to attend UBC. She taught school in the North Okanagan area in the late 1950s, during which time she married her husband Patrick Kernaghan. They moved to Vancouver in 1961, Burnaby in 1963, and settled on Neville Street in the South Slope area in 1966 with their three children. Pat Kernaghan worked at Oakalla Prison as a correctional officer until his retirement in 1988. Eileen and Patrick Kernaghan owned and operated a bookstore on Neville Street from 1987 to 1999. They later moved to New Westminster. Eileen Kernaghan began her writing career at twelve years old with a story published in the Vancouver Sun. After her youngest child began school, with more free time, she started writing again and has become an award winning author of fantasy and science fiction novels. She helped found the Burnaby Writers’ Society in 1967, taught writing workshops, and wrote its popular Newsletter for many years. In 1971 the Society put together a small handbook for BC writers, a venture that was expanded and published by Douglas MacIntyre in 1975 as “The Upper Left-Hand Corner: a writer’s handbook for the Northwest”. The book became a Canadian best-seller. During this same period Eileen Kernaghan began her successful “Grey Isles” trilogy. In 1967 she joined the Burnaby Arts Council, worked as its Coordinator from 1973 to 1984, and was a determined advocate for municipal government support for the arts in Burnaby.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:26:27
- Interviewee Name
- Kernaghan, Eileen
- 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 Eileen Kernaghan
Track seven of interview with Eileen Kernaghan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%207.mp3
Summer School classroom
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1365
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1938
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Summer School classroom furnished with tables, chairs, bookshelves, a chalkboard and easels. The school is located in Victoria, British Columbia. Five women are seated at the left side and fourteen primary grade students are engaged on various art activities.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Summer School classroom furnished with tables, chairs, bookshelves, a chalkboard and easels. The school is located in Victoria, British Columbia. Five women are seated at the left side and fourteen primary grade students are engaged on various art activities.
- Accession Code
- BV999.2.55
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1938
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 08-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Photographer
- McAllister, Kenneth "Ken"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's note on recto of photograph reads: "K. McALLISTER/ VICTORIA/ BC"
- Note in brown ink on verso of photograph reads: "1938/ Summer School"
Images
Mount Albert Edward 6871 feet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription51455
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 21, 1938
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 8 cm, mounted on heavy-weight paper 17.5 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a hiker leaning against the rock face on Mount Albert Edward and looking at the faces that have been carved into it. Another mountain is visible in the distance. This was part of a trip to the Forbidden Plateau on Vancouver Island made by a small party of City of Courtenay officials. …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- July 21, 1938
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- George Grant subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 8 cm, mounted on heavy-weight paper 17.5 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 243-060
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-06
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a hiker leaning against the rock face on Mount Albert Edward and looking at the faces that have been carved into it. Another mountain is visible in the distance. This was part of a trip to the Forbidden Plateau on Vancouver Island made by a small party of City of Courtenay officials. George A. Grant was one of the climbers in the party.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title taken from handwritten title on paper mount
- Handwritten note on paper mount reads: "How many Cowichan Indian faces on the lookout?"
- Second handwritten note on paper mount reads: "After about 5 hours 21st JULY 1938 'Yes it looks quite a step yet, but we'll make it in a couple of hours or so."
Images
Political records
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription77051
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1938-1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Brainerd family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm. of textual records.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an election slip naming Lawrence Brainerd as agent for Ernie Winch, a Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publication entitled "Policy for British Columba", a leaflet created in Vancouver for and about single, unemployed men staging a sit-in in the Post Office and Art Gallery en…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1938-1955
- Collection/Fonds
- Brainerd family fonds
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm. of textual records.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- MSS172-002
- Accession Number
- 2013-05
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an election slip naming Lawrence Brainerd as agent for Ernie Winch, a Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) publication entitled "Policy for British Columba", a leaflet created in Vancouver for and about single, unemployed men staging a sit-in in the Post Office and Art Gallery entitled "Post Office / 'Sitdowner's' / Gazette" and a Korean War propaganda leaflet describing the strength of the United Nations position (written in Chinese).
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Crichton Hawkshaw
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2680
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- October 21, 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Crichton Hawkshaw sitting in the driver's side of a car while in uniform at Sarcee Barracks, Canadian Forces Base, Calgary.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Crichton Hawkshaw sitting in the driver's side of a car while in uniform at Sarcee Barracks, Canadian Forces Base, Calgary.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Military Uniforms
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.9
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- October 21, 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/9/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "Acting Art. Sgt."
- Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Certified / Taylor Made / Nutone / Oct 21 1937"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
R.C. Hawkshaw
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2808
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1937
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of L / Sgt. R.C. Hawkshaw standing in front of the Jasper train station.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of L / Sgt. R.C. Hawkshaw standing in front of the Jasper train station.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Uniforms
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.43
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1937
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/24/2011
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption for photograph reads: "L. / Sgt. R.C. Hawkshaw"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle riders
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2721
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.37
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle rider
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2722
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.38
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle rider
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2723
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.39
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle riders
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3551
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.40
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Interview with Edith Wight July 21, 1975 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory143
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1936-1938
- Length
- 0:05:14
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Edith Mary (Hall) Wight's personal memories of house repairs taken on during the 1930s.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Edith Mary (Hall) Wight's personal memories of house repairs taken on during the 1930s.
- Date Range
- 1936-1938
- Length
- 0:05:14
- Geographic Access
- McKay Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Interview Date
- July 21, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Edith Mary (Hall) Wight by Ross S. McLeod, July 21, 1975 at Edith's home on McKay Avenue, Burnaby. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and working outside the home. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Edith Mary (Hall) Wight arrived in Burnaby in September of 1920 from England, a self-described war bride. Her mother, Fanny (Carnelly) was an accomplished seamstress and her father, Robert Hall a hobbyist painter and carpenter. Edith and her husband Gordon Edward Wight lived at 420 McKay (later renumbered 6060 McKay) throughout their married lives. Within a year of moving to Burnaby, Edith got her first job sewing bedspreads for a large company, launching her career as an interior designer. She also started making dresses on commission. Gordon had a job at a fertilizer plant, which included delivering fruit trees and fertilizer door to door. He would often suggest new curtains or other material goods to the householders he visited, generating clients for Edith. Edith opened an Interior Design studio at South Granville in the first week of September, 1930 with her husband Gordon and Mrs. Ferguson, a previous client who ran a gift shop at the Georgia Hotel. Unfortunately, in 1932 Mrs. Ferguson became ill and was never to return to the studio. Edith and Gordon had two children; Clifford “Cliff” Wight born August 22, 1921 and Eulie Fanny Wight born in 1925. Clifford attended Kingsway West School in 1925 and was a graduate of Burnaby South High School. Eulie Fanny Wight graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia in 1957. Clifford also graduated from the University of British Columbia and was among the handful of students who first established the School of Architecture at UBC. Clifford later married Mary (Berryman) Wight. Gordon Edward Wight died July 30, 1945, his wife Edith Mary (Hall) Wight died November 11, 1986. Eulie Fanny Wight died June 19, 1998. Clifford Wight died February 27, 2005.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 1:07:46
- Interviewee Name
- Wight, Edith
- Interview Location
- McKay Avenue, Burnaby
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with Edith Wight
Track six of interview with Edith Wight
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-23/100-13-23_Track_6.mp3Interview with Richard Liu
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20283
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced…
- 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
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (153 min., 33 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (152 min., 59 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Richard Liu Location of Interview: Love farmhouse at Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: September 11, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:33:33 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto three separate audio tracks, edited and merged together into one track and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Richard Liu conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong on September 11, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:26:39 Richard Liu shares biographical information about himself and his family in China. He talks about his family being forced out by the communist regime in the early ‘50s and their experiences immigrating to Hong Kong, Europe and Canada. 00:26:40 - 00:32:59 Richard talks about his parents’ experiences living in Toronto, Victoria and Burnaby and shares some of his father’s business accomplishments including establishing the first direct flight to Beijing in 1987 and the first sister city between China and Canada. 00:33:00 – 01:13:59 Richard talks about living in Burnaby and his educational experiences at Thomas More Collegiate. He recalls his experience of travelling to North Korea in 1988 and being a student at Peking University in Beijing during the student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. 01:14:00 – 01:26:16 Richard talks about his education and reflects on how his experiences in Beijing influenced his education and career choices including working in the Prime Minister’s office on trade missions to China and talks about the importance of leaning French. 01:26:17 – 01:48:35 Richard shares his memories and experiences of; being on the Canadian Paralympic Committee during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in China, supporting Rick Hansen during his visit to China for the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour and working with Team Canada in China for the 2022 Olympic Games. 01:48:36 – 01:52:22 Richard talks about his life in Burnaby after moving back from China in 2014 and the changes he’s noticed since being away. Richard talks about his involvement with St. John Ambulance, his role as the Honorary Brigade Division President and his role as Heritage Commissioner for the City of Burnaby. 02:14:32 – 02:29:27 Richard talks about his investiture to the Order of Saint John in 2023 and reflects on the accomplishments of his great uncle Dr. Shin-Shu Liu (China’s first Ambassador to Canada). 02:29:28 – 02:32:59 In closing Richard imparts some words of wisdom for future generations.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Richard N. Liu was born in 1970 in Toronto and raised in British Columbia. Richard's family has distinguished Canada-China ties for three generations. His Great-Uncle, Dr. Liu Shih-shun, was China's first Ambassador to Canada in 1942 and his father, Dr. Liu Dun-ren, built relations in education, culture and tourism for three decades including establishing the first Twin Sister City between Canada and China with Victoria and Suzhou in 1980. Richard's maternal great-grandfather, Dr. Wu Han-chi (1872-1913) played an active role in uprisings that shaped the future of modern China, was an elected member of the lower house of the first formal parliament in 1913 and was assassinated on political grounds. Dr. Wu's daughter, Dr. Wu Chi-mei served Dr. Sun Yat-sen, was elected as a Guangzhou City Councillor and visited Vancouver in 1929 and 1932. After graduating from St. Thomas More Collegiate in Vancouver, Richard Liu moved to China to begin his studies at Peking University but in 1989, following the Tiananmen Square protest and massacre, he was evacuated from China and returned to Canada. While back in Canada, Liu completed a BA in East Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia and in 1993, he returned to China to continue his Chinese studies at Peking University and continued to live in China for twenty years. In 2008, Richard worked as Team Canada’s Attaché for the Paralympic Summer Games that took place in Beijing. In 2014, Liu returned to Canada and made his home in Burnaby with his wife and two children. In 2022, Liu returned to Beijing to serve as Mission Staff member for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics. Richard has also played a leading role with the Terry Fox Run, Special Olympics and Rick Hansen's visit to Beijing in 2011. Liu’s areas of expertize include; public relations, diplomacy, major events organization and education. Liu works as an advisor in East Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and is a MA Candidate at Peking University. Richard founded the Canadian Alumni Network that connects over 16,000 alumni in China who’ve attended Canada's post-secondary institutions. Liu has been a commissioner with the City of Burnaby’s Heritage Commission (2018-2023) and sits on various boards advising companies and organizations on a variety of sectors pertaining to Asia. In 2019, Liu was appointed the Honorary Brigade Division President for St. John Ambulance and was among 13 UBC Alumni to be recognized and awarded the 2018-2019 UBC Alumni Builder Award “For his service, dedication, and contribution to UBC and its alumni community. For his long record of service fostering connections with alumni and students in Beijing and Asia as well as dedication to mentoring students in the Faculty of Arts.” On June 24 2023, Richard was formally invested into the Order of St. John, one of five national orders in the Canadian Honours System. 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
- Migration
- Officials
- Education
- Protests and Demonstrations
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports
- Travel
- Religions - Christianity
- Names
- Canadian Paralympic Committee
- Chak, Dr. Po Tin
- Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC
- Liu, Richard N.
- Liu, Dr. Dun-ren
- Liu, Dr. Shih-Shun
- Gigli, Beniamino
- Hansen, Richard Marvin "Rick"
- Olympic Games
- Paralympic Games
- Peking University
- St. John Ambulance
- St. Thomas More Collegiate
- Tiananmen Square
- University of British Columbia
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.17
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Richard Liu, [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
Interview with Richard Liu, [1936-2023] (interview content), interviewed 11 Sep. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0017_004.mp3
Bishop Block
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark562
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1935
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Associated Dates
- 1935
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Heritage Value
- This one-storey commercial block retains its original division into three retail units. An eclectic Spanish Colonial Revival character is imparted by the use of visor roofs, covered in metal pantiles, that extend over the recessed entries. The stepped parapets are more reminiscent of the Art Deco style. Each of the three retail spaces retains their plate glass display windows. This commercial block was owned in 1939 by Mary J. Bishop of Vancouver.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 3736 Hastings Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Education
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale 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 five of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_5.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory472
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Length
- 00:04:58
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficult…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficulties, what Lochdale looked like in the 1930s, his father’s work at Kapoor sawmill in Barnet, and Merrill Gordon’s early education.
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:58
- Names
- Kapoor Sawmill
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale 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 one of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track one of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_1.mp3