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![Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0004_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12337
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Josephine Chow Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 7, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:43:19
- Scope and Content
- Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. The farm is situated in the Big Bend area along Marine Drive and is still in operation today. 0:00-08:45 Josephine Chow provides some historical background on the history of “Hop On Farm” and her family in British Columbia. She tells of how her grandfather Gay Tim Hong and three partners pooled money together to purchase twelve acres on Marine Drive in 1951. Prior to this, most of them farmed on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Reserve for 20-30 years. It all began when her great grandfather Sui Wing Hong, first came to Canada from China and slowly brought over her grandfather, father and other members of the family. Her grandfather, Gay Tim Hong went back and forth between Canada and China at least four times since he and her grandmother had four children including her father, who was born in 1931. Her father came to Canada at 10 years of age to live with his father. Josephine’s great grandfather came to Vancouver from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). 8:46- 14:20 Josephine provides the names of her siblings from the eldest to the youngest; Pauline, Josephine (herself), Catherine, Noreen, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. She describes what life was like on the farm with her parents working from sunrise to sunset. The family farmed vegetable produce taking orders from local stores in the lower mainland. Often the children helped their parents with the orders starting at eight or nine years of age. Other workers on the farm travelled by bus from Vancouver’s Chinatown. She also tells of how her father was an animal lover and raised chickens, pigeons, geese, koy, goldfish and dogs. 14: 21 – 16:56 Josephine describes what Burnaby was like during the time that she grew up in the late 1950s. She explains that Burnaby was very quiet with nothing being open on Sundays. On the farm, she and her siblings would entertain themselves by playing games like soccer, baseball and kick ball or also by catching frogs, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs. There were neighbours living on Marine Drive and almost every house had someone who we went to the same elementary school. The neighbourhood children would often come to play with them on their farm. 16:56- 26:47 Josephine describes how when they were young there were farms all around them and how on Sunday drives with her father, they would go to feed horses or look at the cows. Josephine shares that her elder sister Pauline was the only one born in China and how when she first arrived that she lived on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations Reserve with their parents before they moved to Burnaby. Josephine recollects that most of her friends were farmer’s kids from the neighbourhood but while in school, she had more Caucasian friends. Josephine and her siblings attended Glenwood Elementary on Marine Drive and later Junior Secondary at McPherson Park (grades 8-10) and Burnaby South Senior Secondary (grades 11-12. ). She shares some of her experiences while attending school. She said that there were about a dozen Asians in school with her, mostly from farming families in the “Flats”. 26:48- 30:45 Josephine describes what life was like for her and her siblings after school. They often helped on the farm when they got home, usually taking care of orders for green onions. Her mother made dinner and did all of the cooking for family and workers on the farm as well as working in the fields. Her father did all of the grocery shopping in Vancouver’s Chinatown two or three times per week where he purchased meat and fish. She says that her grandfather, often travelled by bus every Saturday or Sunday to meet up with friends in Chinatown. Extracurricular activities for her and her siblings included volley ball and soccer as long as it didn’t interfere with their work schedule on the farm. 30:46- 37:03 Josephine describes what occurred while living at home, the food they ate, shopping and attending Chinese school. Her mother cooked only Chinese food, she didn’t know how to cook “Western food”. For school lunches, the kids made their own sandwiches. She tells of a Chinese language school arranged by Mrs. Joe [sic] who lived on Gilley Road and was Canadian born Chinese. Mrs. Joe [sic] also arranged an English class for farmer’s wives on Tuesday nights in which her mother attended. Josephine recollects learning Mandarin from Mrs. Joe [sic] a few days a week after her regular school. Chinese school took place at Riverway School on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Mrs. Joe also taught them a lot about Chinese culture including Kung Fu, Chinese Dance and Chinese brush painting. 37:04- 39:39 Josephine describes Medical Care for her and her family in the 1950s and 1960s. She tells of a female Chinese doctor in Vancouver, Dr. Madeline Chung. Dr. Chung was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine. The family also visited herbalists in Vancouver Chinatown. They would often buy herbs for colds etc. Josephine also tells of how her parents stayed in touch with family in China by writing letters. Her mother’s family, including her parents and siblings were still in China while most of her father’s family were here in Canada. 39:40- 43:19 – In closing, Josephine shares how life is much busier now and of how she misses the quietness of her days growing up. She briefly describes her life on the family farm now and how different it is from when her parents worked the farm. She explains how farming methods have changed and how they don’t have to work as hard as her parents did.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Josephine Chow (nee Hong) is the second eldest child of Chan Kow Hong and Sui Ha Hong. In 1925, Josephine's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong immigrated to Canada from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). In 1952, her father, Chan Kow Hong joined his father, Gay Tim Hong and by 1953, he established "Hop On Farms" in the Big Bend area of Burnaby near Marine Drive. Josephine grew up on the farm with her parents and six siblings; Pauline, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. In 1969, Josephine's elder sister Pauline and her husband Jack Chan took over the family farm and in 1972 their father and grandfather moved to Kamloops to open a restaurant. As an adult, Josephine worked in several different areas including owning and running her own Aesthetics business. Josephine eventually retired and returned to the farm to assist her siblings. The farm is still in operation. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Agriculture - Farms
- Education
- Buildings - Schools
- First Nations reserves - British Columbia
- Names
- Chow, Josephine
- Glenwood Elementary School
- McPherson Park Junior Secondary School
- ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)
- Responsibility
- Fong, Denise
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Road
- Accession Code
- BV020.6.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Big Bend Area
- Related Material
- See also BV017.36*
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 12/3/2017
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of interview
- Photograph info: Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms [1969]. BV017.36.4
Images
![Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2017/2017_0036_0004_001.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0001_001.mp3
Annual Exhibition
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1170
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- September 1908
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 15.5 cm mounted on card 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of fruit displays at the Central Park Annual Exhibition which took place from September 17 to 18, 1908. The fruits in crates or plates are displayed on tables. Also visible in other sections of the room are floral displays and baked goods. Some of the wooden crates on the table in the fo…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 11.5 x 15.5 cm mounted on card 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of fruit displays at the Central Park Annual Exhibition which took place from September 17 to 18, 1908. The fruits in crates or plates are displayed on tables. Also visible in other sections of the room are floral displays and baked goods. Some of the wooden crates on the table in the foreground of the photograph include insignia: "Grown & Packed by F.R. Stewart & Co. Central Park B.C.".
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Accession Code
- BV993.45.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- September 1908
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- For another print of the same image, see BV998.30.1
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 01-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Photographer
- Bullen, Harry Elder
- Notes
- Continuation of title: "... CENTRAL PARK/ SEPT 17-18. '08."
- Photographer's annotation reads: "BULLEN PHOTO"
Images
Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6971
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1904-1908
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 7 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 cm x 101.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 -subdivision plans mounted on one side and three New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision of / Lot 28A / in Subdivision of / Lot 97, Group 1 / Ne…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 7 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 cm x 101.5 cm
- Material Details
- Scales [between1:120 and 1:3960]
- Index number on edge of board reads: "3"
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 -subdivision plans mounted on one side and three New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision of / Lot 28A / in Subdivision of / Lot 97, Group 1 / New Westminster District". The B.C.E.R. is identified running through the subdivision of XXVIIIA (Lot 28A). Plan is dated "Sept. 21st, 08" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Measurements / of Discharge / in Ditches / Lots 155A, G.One" / "Scale, Twentieths. / 17/12/04" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of a portion of / Lot 95 / Group One / New Westminster District" B.C. Electric Railway runs through the top of the plan. The plan is dated May 23, 1906. (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Blueprint " Profile / on Water Surface / in / Holland Road Ditch / Woollard's Ditch / Dec. 3rd 1904 / Scales Hor. 200'=1" / Vert. 10'=1"" (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. Blueprint " "Sunnyside Park" / plan of Subdivision / of / the East Half / of / Lot 39, GR.One, / New Westminster District / Scale 100'=1" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint " "Sunnyside Park"/ plan of Subdivi..n / of / Lot 39, Gr.1. / New Westminster District" Index in upper left corner of plan shows location of Lot 39 in relation to Central Park and surrounding Lots. (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Lot 163 and 165 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 5 chs=1 in." Streets within subdivision plan are identified as; North Arm Road, Ingram Street, Blair Street, Kennedy Street, Murray Street, Wiggins Road, Byrne Road, South Road along with North Arm Fraser River and B.C. Electric Railway. (Geographic location: Burnaby)
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Accession Code
- HV977.93.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1904-1908
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scale
- 72
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
- Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
- The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
