23 records – page 1 of 2.

Burnaby Historical Society fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97124
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Description Level
Fonds
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
History
The Burnaby Historical Society was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed a community archives by collecting, compiling and preserving various materials with historical value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered miscellaneous documents, photographs and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Historical Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to collect and expand their holdings. After the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Burnaby Historical Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records and photographs that had been collected by the Historical Society were transferred into the custody of the City and were moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill Branch of the Burnaby Public Library. The Burnaby Historical Society disbanded in 2018.
Names
Burnaby Historical Society
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Sound Recording
Creator
Burnaby Historical Society
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Administration series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97125
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Scope and Content
Series consists of records relating to the establishment, administration and operation of the Burnaby Historical Society. Records include Society meeting minutes, correspondence, and photographs and ephemera from various Society programs and events.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
Textual records and photographs
Description Level
Series
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
Series consists of records relating to the establishment, administration and operation of the Burnaby Historical Society. Records include Society meeting minutes, correspondence, and photographs and ephemera from various Society programs and events.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Less detail

BHS minutes 2010

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98330
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes and reports of the annual general meeting and newspaper clippings of articles related to items discussed at meetings.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-054
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes and reports of the annual general meeting and newspaper clippings of articles related to items discussed at meetings.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 2011

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98331
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2011
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes of the annual general meeting. File also contains an invitation to the official plaque unveiling of the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room at the City of Burnaby Archives and event program.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2011
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-055
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports, as well as the minutes of the annual general meeting. File also contains an invitation to the official plaque unveiling of the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room at the City of Burnaby Archives and event program.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 2012

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98332
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2012
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2012
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-056
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2013

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98333
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2013
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2013
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-057
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2014

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98334
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2014
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports and minutes and reports of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2014
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-058
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and reports and minutes and reports of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2015

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98335
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2015
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2015
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-059
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and minutes of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2016

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98336
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2016
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular and Executive meeting minutes and the minutes of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2016
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-060
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular and Executive meeting minutes and the minutes of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2017

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98337
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2017
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and the minutes and scholarship report of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2017
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-061
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and the minutes and scholarship report of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS minutes 2018

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98338
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and the minutes of the annual general meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-062
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society regular meeting minutes and the minutes of the annual general meeting.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

BHS scholarships

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98417
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1990-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains records pertaining to Burnaby Historical Society scholarship. The scholarship was funded by Dr. Blythe and Violet Eagles and honours Evelyn Salisbury, former president of the Society. Records includes scholarship terms of reference, notification letters to award recipients, and the …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1990-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-084
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains records pertaining to Burnaby Historical Society scholarship. The scholarship was funded by Dr. Blythe and Violet Eagles and honours Evelyn Salisbury, former president of the Society. Records includes scholarship terms of reference, notification letters to award recipients, and the endowment stewardship report from Simon Fraser University who took over administration of the scholarship in 2017.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory238
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1803-1884
Length
0:09:29
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
Date Range
1803-1884
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:29
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
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 two of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

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.
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
May be restricted by third party rights
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
Less detail

Community Archives Collection series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97126
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[188-]-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Scope and Content
Series consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's Community Archives collection. The Society's collection includes photographs, documents, ephemera, oral histories, and other records from a myriad of sources and donors, compiled to document the history of Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[188-]-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Description Level
Series
Scope and Content
Series consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's Community Archives collection. The Society's collection includes photographs, documents, ephemera, oral histories, and other records from a myriad of sources and donors, compiled to document the history of Burnaby.
History
The Burnaby Historical was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed its Community Archives by collecting, compiling, and preserving records with historic value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered documents, photographs, and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to grow their holdings. Following the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records collected by the Society were transferred into the custody of the City and moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill branch of the Burnaby Public Library.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Sound Recording
Cartographic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Less detail

Dissolution and final disbursement

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98419
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence from Burnaby Historical Society President, Goldie Carr, regarding the dissolution of the Society and disbursement of its final funds. Funds were disbursed to the Burnaby Historical Society Undergraduate Scholarship in Canadian History Endowment at Simon Fraser Universi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-086
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains correspondence from Burnaby Historical Society President, Goldie Carr, regarding the dissolution of the Society and disbursement of its final funds. Funds were disbursed to the Burnaby Historical Society Undergraduate Scholarship in Canadian History Endowment at Simon Fraser University, Rivers to Sea Regional Heritage Fair, and Burnaby Village Museum.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

Interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory222
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1485-1814
Length
0:09:45
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on the Linotype.
Date Range
1485-1814
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:45
Subjects
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with John Burton at his residence in Surrey by Lynda Mauve Orr, August 24, 1989. This interview focuses on the history of newspaper and printing presses in Canada.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:44
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
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 six of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr

Less detail

Legal, grants etc

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98418
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1994-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains records related to various legal agreements between the Burnaby Historical Society and other parties and grant requests from the Society to arts and heritage organizations and the City of Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1994-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
2 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-085
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains records related to various legal agreements between the Burnaby Historical Society and other parties and grant requests from the Society to arts and heritage organizations and the City of Burnaby.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

Membership lists

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98416
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society membership lists, including contact information and fees paid. File also includes other documentation related to Society membership, including correspondence and executive nomination papers.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-083
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society membership lists, including contact information and fees paid. File also includes other documentation related to Society membership, including correspondence and executive nomination papers.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Some restrictions on access
Less detail

Open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner July / August 1973 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory82
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1688-1919
Length
0:08:51
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchard's thoughts on Socialism and Revolution in their various incantations. He also discusses the political leanings of the arrested Winnipeg Strikers.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchard's thoughts on Socialism and Revolution in their various incantations. He also discusses the political leanings of the arrested Winnipeg Strikers.
Date Range
1688-1919
Photo Info
William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930. Item no. 459-016
Length
0:08:51
Names
Woodsworth, James Shaver
Subjects
Political Theories
Interview Date
July / August 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a open meeting with William Pritchard and writer Norman Penner. Norman Penner is the editor of the book "Winnipeg 1919" about the strike from the striker's perspective. William Pritchard wrote the speech that was included in the book. Audience members were invited to ask Pritchard questions. Major theme discussed is: The Winnipeg General Strike. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
William "Bill" Arthur Pritchard was born on April 3, 1888 in Salford, England, the son of a miner and factory worker. In May 1911, Bill moved to British Columbia and within a week of arriving became an active member of the Socialist Party of Canada. From 1914 to 1917, he served as editor of the Western Clarion – the SPC newspaper. He became such a well-known socialist figure that when he travelled to Winnipeg to participate in the General Strike in 1919, he was one of only seven people arrested and imprisoned for his participation in the event despite the fact that he was in no way directly involved in its planning nor development. In 1922, Bill and his family settled in North Burnaby in the Capitol Hill District. Almost immediately after his arrival, Bill began to advocate for change and a planned development scheme for the municipality. Pritchard ran successfully for the position of Reeve and held the post until the end of 1932. One of Reeve Pritchard’s highest priorities while in office was to attempt to provide work for as many unemployed as possible all the while trying to elicit more support from the provincial and federal governments. Bill was a strong advocate of the belief that relief work should be focused on projects that would see a comprehensive development scheme for Burnaby – including planned sewers, roads and water supply. Despite Bill's best efforts, however, Burnaby was forced into receivership and at the end of 1932, a Provincial Commission stepped in to take over the governance of the city. Reeve Pritchard, having done all he could as a champion of the unemployed, stepped down as Reeve but left behind an undeniable legacy of courage and determination. He was rewarded for his enormous contributions to the city in 1975 when he was chosen to be made a Freeman of Burnaby. William Pritchard died on October 23, 1981. Norman Penner was born in Winnipeg in 1921 to Rose and Jacob Penner and brother to Roland, Ruth and Walter. Their father Jacob was a leading member of the Communist Party and popular Winnipeg Alderman. Norman graduated from high school in 1937 but did not begin university until much later, preferring to begin his adult life from 1938 to 1941 as a full-time officer of the Winnipeg branch of the Communist Party of Canada. From 1941 to 1946 he served with the Canadian Army which included two-and-a-half years of overseas combat duty. On his return to Canada in 1947 he again returned to his duties as a full-time officer with the communist Labour-Progressive Party (formed in 1941 after the Canadian Communist Party was officially banned). After the abortive Hungarian revolution in 1956, Norman Penner resigned from the party and instead worked as a self-employed manufacturer’s sales representative until 1971. In 1964 he decided to go back to school part time and graduated with a BA from the University of Toronto in 1969. He took an MA in 1971 and a PhD in 1975 from the same institution. Penner was hired as a lecturer at York University's Glendon College in 1972 and soon became a professor, continuing to teach until 1995. He wrote extensively on the Canadian left. Penner edited and introduced "Winnipeg 1919: The Strikers' Own History of the Winnipeg General Strike" in 1973, published "The Canadian Left: A Critical Analysis" in 1977 and contributed three chapters to as well as editing "Keeping Canada Together Means Changing Our Thinking" in 1978. He published "Canadian Communism: The Stalin Years and Beyond" in 1988 and "From Protest to Power: Social Democracy in Canada 1900 to Present" in 1992 as well as numerous articles, reviews and book chapters. Norman Penner was married to Norma Lipes for sixty-seven years. The couple had four children: Steve (Mary Ellen Marus); Joyce (Herman Parsons); Gary (Marlene Kadar); and Bob (Shaena Lambert). Norman Penner died April 16, 2009 at the age of eighty-eight.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:03:00
Interviewee Name
Pritchard, William A.
Penner, Norman
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
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 five of open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner

Less detail

23 records – page 1 of 2.