680 records – page 1 of 34.

Interview with Norman Dowad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
History
Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Education
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Migration
Sports
Sports - Football
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
Burnaby Central Secondary School
Douglas Road School
W. Dowad Limited
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Buckingham Avenue
Deer Lake
Street Address
5533 Buckingham Avenue
Accession Code
BV023.16.16
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3
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Interview with Marianne May Bateman February 22, 1978 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory188
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1920-1978
Length
0:09:03
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's memories of the Bateman house Elworth, comparing it to its' present use at the Burnaby Village Museum (then Heritage Village).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's memories of the Bateman house Elworth, comparing it to its' present use at the Burnaby Village Museum (then Heritage Village).
Date Range
1920-1978
Photo Info
Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman with his four daughters; Marianne May is sitting on a chair beside her father, [1903}. Item no. BV992.29.1
Length
0:09:03
Subjects
Buildings - Residences - Houses
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
February 22, 1978
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Marianne May "May" Bateman conducted by Colin Stevens, February 22, 1978. Major themes discussed are: Elworth.
Biographical Notes
May Bateman was born in 1894 in Portage LaPrairie, Manitoba to Edwin Wettenhall Bateman and Cassie (Dale) Bateman. May's father, Edwin Bateman was born in 1859 in Sandbach, Cheshire, to James and Caroline Mary Wettenhall Bateman (their home in Sandbach was called Elworth Cottage). When he was twenty-one, E.W. Bateman immigrated to Manitoba, Canada where he met Catherine “Cassie” Dale, daughter of George and Sarah Gillon Dale. They were married in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on November 9, 1886. Edwin and Cassie had seven children, the eldest Edna Caroline Annie (Corner) born in 1889, George, Mamie (McWilliams) born in 1892, Marianne May “May” Bateman born in 1894, Jessie (Fox Kemp), Carey, and the youngest Warren Stafford born in 1901.Cassie (Dale) Bateman died in Portage La Prairie in 1909. Edwin was transferred to Vancouver by the Canadian Pacific Railway where he married Cassie’s younger sister Mary Dale, born 1865, and moved his six children to Vancouver. The Bateman family first lived at 7th and Balsam in a large new house. It wasn’t until 1920 that they decided to move to the quieter atmosphere of the Burnaby Lake- Deer Lake area. By this time Edwin Wettenhall Bateman was a retired CPR executive. He moved his wife and daughter May to Deer Lake and commissioned 'Elworth' house, designed by English-born and trained architect Enoch Evans. The house was completed by contractor William Dodson in 1922 and located at the site of what would become Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue. The Batemans lived here for seventeen years before moving back to Vancouver in May of 1935. Mary Bateman died July 5, 1935. Edwin Wettenhall Bateman died on November 25, 1957 at the age of ninety-seven. Marianne May Bateman died in 1990.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:44
Interviewee Name
Bateman, Marianne May
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
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Interview with Marianne May Bateman February 22, 1978 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory189
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1920-1978
Length
0:09:40
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's memories of the Bateman house Elworth, comparing it to its' present use at the Burnaby Village Museum (then Heritage Village).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's memories of the Bateman house Elworth, comparing it to its' present use at the Burnaby Village Museum (then Heritage Village).
Date Range
1920-1978
Photo Info
Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman with his four daughters; Marianne May is sitting on a chair beside her father, [1903}. Item no. BV992.29.1
Length
0:09:40
Subjects
Buildings - Residences - Houses
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Drive
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
February 22, 1978
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Marianne May "May" Bateman conducted by Colin Stevens, February 22, 1978. Major themes discussed are: Elworth.
Biographical Notes
May Bateman was born in 1894 in Portage LaPrairie, Manitoba to Edwin Wettenhall Bateman and Cassie (Dale) Bateman. May's father, Edwin Bateman was born in 1859 in Sandbach, Cheshire, to James and Caroline Mary Wettenhall Bateman (their home in Sandbach was called Elworth Cottage). When he was twenty-one, E.W. Bateman immigrated to Manitoba, Canada where he met Catherine “Cassie” Dale, daughter of George and Sarah Gillon Dale. They were married in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on November 9, 1886. Edwin and Cassie had seven children, the eldest Edna Caroline Annie (Corner) born in 1889, George, Mamie (McWilliams) born in 1892, Marianne May “May” Bateman born in 1894, Jessie (Fox Kemp), Carey, and the youngest Warren Stafford born in 1901.Cassie (Dale) Bateman died in Portage La Prairie in 1909. Edwin was transferred to Vancouver by the Canadian Pacific Railway where he married Cassie’s younger sister Mary Dale, born 1865, and moved his six children to Vancouver. The Bateman family first lived at 7th and Balsam in a large new house. It wasn’t until 1920 that they decided to move to the quieter atmosphere of the Burnaby Lake- Deer Lake area. By this time Edwin Wettenhall Bateman was a retired CPR executive. He moved his wife and daughter May to Deer Lake and commissioned 'Elworth' house, designed by English-born and trained architect Enoch Evans. The house was completed by contractor William Dodson in 1922 and located at the site of what would become Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue. The Batemans lived here for seventeen years before moving back to Vancouver in May of 1935. Mary Bateman died July 5, 1935. Edwin Wettenhall Bateman died on November 25, 1957 at the age of ninety-seven. Marianne May Bateman died in 1990.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:44
Interviewee Name
Bateman, Marianne May
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
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Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12338
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)
Scope and Content
Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some …
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) (00:53:46 min.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Julie Lee Location of Interview: Home of Julie and Cecil Lee Interview Date: February 6, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:53:46
Scope and Content
Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some information about her father Puy Yuen Chan. 0:00- 01:47 Julie Lee provides background information on her families’ connection to Burnaby and conveys how her maternal grandparents farmed a five acre lot at Still Creek and Douglas Road. Her grandparents grew vegetable produce and operated a piggery at this location. Her mother, Suey Ying Jung (Laura) was the middle child between two older sisters, Maida and Annie and her two younger brothers Gordon and Harry. They were all born at home and educated at Edmonds Elementary School. 01:48- 11:47 Julie provides some background information about her mother, the friendships she made growing up, when she got married and places that she lived. She tells of her mother marrying in 1942 at age 30 years, moving to Fraser Mills and then onto Maillardville in 1958. There was easy access to the Interurban tram so her mother was able to have a social life with others in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She says that many of the only existing photographs of the family living on the farm at Still Creek and Douglas Road can be attributed to her mother’s friend Lil Mau [sic] who owned a camera. The farm was sold around 1949 when her grandparents moved to East Vancouver. While operating the farm, her grandparents only hired Chinese workers who spoke the same language and ate the same foods as them. Despite this, her grandparents made friends with the Collin’s family who assisted them in adjusting to the Canadian way of life. Julie tells that her mother’s sister Maida and brother in law lived with them at Fraser Mills. Her mother’s sister Maida had nine children so Julie’s mother helped her in raising them. 11:48 – 16:53 - Julie talks about racial prejudice towards the Chinese in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She says that for the most part, her mother’s family had a very insular life on the farm and mainly socialized only within the Chinese community. Julie tells of how she recently became aware of a memoir “The Way it Was”, written by Burnaby resident, Fannie Waplington. The memoir is held as part of the Burnaby Village Museum collection. In the memoir, Fannie Waplington tells of how she was forbidden from visiting Julie’s mother on their farm due to her ethnic background. Julie conveys that it seems like it was a missed friendship for both her mother and Fannie. 16:54 – 22:30 Julie describes what school life was like for her mother and what she may have done outside of school. Her mother attended Edmonds School in the 1920s up to Grade 7 or Grade 8. Julie explains that Asian girls were never offered the opportunity to pursue higher education while her mother’s brothers continued with their education attending Vancouver Technical School. Her mother continued to work on the farm until she was married cooking for workers and helping her mother. Outside of school, she may have helped with looking after nieces and nephews, played cards and mahjong. She says that her mother continued to play cards with her own children and was a skilled knitter into her 80s. 22:31 – 30: 53 Julie tells of what she knows about the Chinese workers on the farm and Fraser Mills and what they did on the weekends. She figures that many may have played card games to pass the time and at Fraser Mills gambling occurred. Fishing was a highlight for her father and she recalls him fishing sturgeon. Single workers may have gone into Vancouver on the weekends. Julie says that her parents had a hobby farm while living at Fraser Mills and that they grew enough garlic to sell in Chinatown. She thinks that before living at Fraser Mills, her mother must have went to Chinatown quite a bit, assisting with banking and enjoying a social life. Julie shares that her father, Puy Yuen Chan came to Canada from China at twelve years of age but working as a shingle packer, he never learned to speak English. She figures that her parents must have met at Fraser Mills while her mother was visiting her sister Maida. 30:54 – 37:33 Julie describes her mother as the cook, caregiver and the “one man show”. She says that her mother enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese recipes. Julie talks of her own cooking and gardening skills which she may have inherited from her parents including her large patch of garlic. 37:34- 40:23- Julie is asked as to whether her mother attended Chinese school and says that she had some Chinese schooling. She could read and write a little but didn’t attend a formal school as far as she knows. Julie shares some background information on her own husband Cecil, who grew up in East Vancouver. She shares that Cecil’s family went back to China from 1931 until 1939 when they returned to Queensborough. Cecil attended Chinese school in New Westminster. 40:24 – 42:19 Julie speaks briefly about what type of medical care her mother and her family had. She relates that all births took place at home and they accessed a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. Hospitals were accessed in 1950s—1960s. The family did use Western doctors that were insured under the medical system. She recalls growing up and having to drink a particular herbal brew at least once a month to stay well. 42:20- 46:47 Julie describes how her parents stayed connected with their families in China. She says that her mother’s family didn’t stay in touch with relatives in China and that her uncles rejected anything to do with the past. On her father’s side they maintained a connection with cousins. She recalls that her father, Puy Yuen Chan supported some of his relatives back home in China and stayed in touch with some. Her mother, Laura travelled to China in 1991 and 1992 and connected with some relations on Julie’s father’s side. 46:48- 53:46 In this segment, Julie speaks of her mother’s character being very self-assured, independent and goal oriented. She feels that her mother valued being surrounded by her family and friends and felt very comfortable growing up in Burnaby and with the relationships that she had. She feels that her mother adapted to her roles being the last of four children on the farm and that she was very self-sufficient and determined.
History
Interviewee biography: Julie Lee (nee Chan) is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) and Puy Yuen Chan. Her mother's family owned and operated a vegetable and piggery farm on Douglas Road near Still Creek in the early 1900s. Their farm was located in front of the Douglas Road interurban tram station. Her mother had two older sisters named Maida and Annie and two younger brothers Harry and Gordon. Her mother was born in 1912 and left the farm for Fraser Mills when she was married in 1942. Julie grew up with her parents and siblings on the Fraser Mills site during the 1940s and 1950s. 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
Names
Lee, Julie Cho Chan
Chan, Puy Yuen
Jung, Suey Ying "Laura"
Wong, Suey Fong "Maida" Jung
Jung, Suey Cheung "Harry"
Jung, Suey Yook "Gordon"
Jung, Gee Shee
Jung, Chung Chong
Jong, Suey Kin "Annie" Jung
Responsibility
Fong, Denise
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Accession Code
BV020.6.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Related Material
See also BV018.16.1
Scan Resolution
1000
Scan Date
01-Oct-2017
Scale
96
Notes
Title based on contents of interview
Photograph info: Suey Ying (Laura) with produce baskets [between 1940 and 1942]. BV017.24.27
Images
Audio Tracks

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020, [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0002_001.mp3
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Lubbock photographs from album

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64493
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1945-1988
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
130 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
Photographs of the Lubbock family, including their riding stables and horses, family events, their pets, and landscape and travel photographs. These photographs were originally housed in a photographic album.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1945-1988
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Lubbock family subseries
Physical Description
130 photographs : b&w and col. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm or smaller
Description Level
File
Record No.
342-046
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
BHS1994-02
Scope and Content
Photographs of the Lubbock family, including their riding stables and horses, family events, their pets, and landscape and travel photographs. These photographs were originally housed in a photographic album.
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Animals - Horses
Recreational Activities - Horseback riding
Names
Lubbock, Ainsly
Lubbock, Beatrice "Bea"
Lubbock, Elizabeth
Lubbock, Gordon
Lubbock, John
Lubbock, John Barker
Lubbock, Mina
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Grandview Highway
Canada Way
Burris Street
Street Address
7803 Burris Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
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Knight family photographs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64501
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
49 photographs (35 prints : b&w and col. and 14 negatives : b&w)
Scope and Content
Photographs of "the Bird Doctor" Virginia Knight and her husband Milton and their properties, avaries, and pets. File also includes the couple's travel photographs, photograph's of Milton's antique clock and watch collection, and images of Lakeview Aviaries in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1948-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Knight family subseries
Physical Description
49 photographs (35 prints : b&w and col. and 14 negatives : b&w)
Description Level
File
Record No.
510-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
BHS1992-53
Scope and Content
Photographs of "the Bird Doctor" Virginia Knight and her husband Milton and their properties, avaries, and pets. File also includes the couple's travel photographs, photograph's of Milton's antique clock and watch collection, and images of Lakeview Aviaries in Burnaby.
Subjects
Animals - Birds
Animals - Dogs
Occupations - Veterinarians
Names
Knight, Virginia
Knight, Milton
Lakeview Aviaries
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photographs
Stamp on verso of 510-001 reads: "Woodward's Advertising Photography"
Note on verso of 510-003 reads: "Taken at San Juan Capistrano. The minute you enter the place these pigeons light all over you and they sell you small bags of wheat to feed them." Other notes and date stamp on verso.
Note on verso of 510-010 reads: "Virgie + Sheila Joan (Easton) Mulliner / New Year's Eve / 1970-71"
510-008, 510-009, 510-011, 510-012: Date stamp on verso reads "Jan 12, 1962"
Note on verso of 510-022 reads: "My little Saw-Whet Owl who was one of my patients. Fully recovered and hand tame."
510-024 is five small photographs glued to a black paper album page
Handwritten notes on recto of 510-032, describing the clocks in the photograph.
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Street Address
5255 Sperling Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Images
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Interview with David Skulski

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19606
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, at…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (80 min., 38 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (80 min., 38 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: David Skulski Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 6 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 80 min., 38 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Murray "David" Skulski conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00:00 – 00:22:22 David Skulski provides biographical information about himself. He talks about his childhood experiences growing up, attending school in New Westminster and Burnaby and Hebrew school in Vancouver. David recalls his early experiences in music, instruments that he played and describes some of his Jewish family traditions. 00:22:23 – 00:49:57 David talks about his experiences studying music at university and following his passion as a musician and oboist. He recalls his experiences of working with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra, Vancouver Society for Early Music, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, other musical ensembles and venues where he’s performed. 00:49:58 – 01:00:00 David talks about living in Burnaby in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. David describes some his experiences playing traditional music from different countries. 01:01:01 – 01:14:15 David comments on the changes that he’s seen in Burnaby over the years, some of his favourite places, activities, cultural amenities and development on the Fraser River. David talks about the Jewish community in Burnaby, his involvement with the Peretz Centre and examples of Jewish cuisine. 01:14:16 – 01:20:38 David talks about Yiddish being his first language, his language studies in Lithuania, the roots of the language and provides some examples of speaking Yiddish.
History
Interviewee biography: Murray "David" Skulski was born in 1942 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia with his parents in 1948. Skulski and his family settled in New Westminster before moving to Burnaby in the late 1950's. Skulski took piano lessons at an early age and began playing obo while attending junior high school in New Westminster. In 1960 at the age of 17 years, Skulski began performing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as solo English horn and is the youngest player to ever be employed with the VSO. In 1991, Skulski started playing with the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and was the conductor between 1997 and 2004. Skulski has been the principal oboe player in many orchestras. In 1968, Skulski founded the Hortulani Musicae; in 1970, he founded the Vancouver Society for Early Music and in 1983 he founded Harmonie, an ensemble concentrating in classical wind music. In 2003, Skulski became president of the Pertez Centre for Secular Jewish Culture. In 2005, Skulski became principal oboist of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and between 2009 and 2019 he was the principal oboist for the Pilgrim Orchestra under Pilwon Suk. David has served as president of the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture and since 2022, he’s served on the board of the Vancouver Chamber Music Society. Skulski has taught summer courses in Renaissance music in Austria (1972-1979), has been a music resident at Simon Fraser University (1973-1976), has lectured on the history of musical instruments at SFU and UBC and in 2008 began teaching at the Pacific Coast School of Music, Richmond School of Music and Oakridge Music Studios. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Foods
Music
Musical Instruments
Occupations - Musicians
Performances - Concerts
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Religions - Judaism
Names
Burnaby Symphony Orchestra
Burnaby South High School
Burquest
Skulski, Murray "David"
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Society for Early Music
Peretz Centre
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Deer Lake Park
Accession Code
BV023.16.10
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

Interview with David Skulski, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 6 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/Hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0010_003.mp3
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Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory538
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1950-1990
Length
00:06:16
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Date Range
1950-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Length
00:06:16
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Civic
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Lake City Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 4, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
00:56:44
Interviewee Name
Morin, Severin "Sev"
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
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
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
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Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory597
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1980
Length
0:15:48
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s memories of his moving to Hardwick Street in Burnaby in 1957; his views about early attitudes toward clearing the land in Burnaby and how people’s attitudes changed with regard to protecting the environment; and his description of the “golden ye…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s memories of his moving to Hardwick Street in Burnaby in 1957; his views about early attitudes toward clearing the land in Burnaby and how people’s attitudes changed with regard to protecting the environment; and his description of the “golden years” for park creation and planning in the 1970s.
Date Range
1956-1980
Length
0:15:48
Names
Burnaby Parks and Recreation Commission
Shelley, Melvin
Barnet Park
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Geographic Access
Hardwick Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 29, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
Biographical Notes
Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:43:22
Interviewee Name
Fabian, Tony S.
Interview Location
Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Tony Fabian

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Looking southeast from 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91830
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1975]
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 cm x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Manahan family's house, taken from 5118 Douglas Road, looking southeast. In the 1960s the Meyers sold a portion of their property at to the Manahan family and the house in the centre of the photograph was built. The address of the house is unknown. To the right, the Meyers' hou…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1975]
Collection/Fonds
Small family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 cm x 9 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
620-011
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2017-01
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Manahan family's house, taken from 5118 Douglas Road, looking southeast. In the 1960s the Meyers sold a portion of their property at to the Manahan family and the house in the centre of the photograph was built. The address of the house is unknown. To the right, the Meyers' house is partially visible.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from donor's notes
5106 Douglas Road later subdivided into 5539 and 5545 Norfolk Street
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "(Meyers House on Right)"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P11"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Manahan's House"
Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "1960's or early 1970s"
Street Address
5106 Douglas Road
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
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Discussion at the Burnaby Art Gallery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36266
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
242-016
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
BHS1990-05
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Art Galleries
Names
Burnaby Art Gallery
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Discussion at the Burnaby Art Gallery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36267
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery, smiling with one hand on the arm of his chair and his other hand scratching his forehead and holding a cigarette.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
242-017
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
BHS1990-05
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery, smiling with one hand on the arm of his chair and his other hand scratching his forehead and holding a cigarette.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Art Galleries
Names
Burnaby Art Gallery
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

Discussion at the Burnaby Art Gallery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36268
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1960 and 1979]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 11.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
242-018
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
BHS1990-05
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man who looks to be in the middle of discussion with someone not pictured. He is sitting on a chair or chesterfield at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Art Galleries
Names
Burnaby Art Gallery
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Street Address
6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory598
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1960-1990
Length
0:12:29
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s story about his first involvement in civic politics when he questioned the cutting in half of Hardwick Park and his learning about the legal status of park dedications. He talks about the value of understanding the geographic history and natural …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s story about his first involvement in civic politics when he questioned the cutting in half of Hardwick Park and his learning about the legal status of park dedications. He talks about the value of understanding the geographic history and natural processes of Burnaby landscapes.
Date Range
1960-1990
Length
0:12:29
Names
Hardwick Park
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Planning
Geographic Access
Hardwick Street
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 29, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
Biographical Notes
Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:43:22
Interviewee Name
Fabian, Tony S.
Interview Location
Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
Interviewer Bio
Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Tony Fabian

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Burnaby Lake Show / originals

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91683
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1962-1995
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle,…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1962-1995
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Physical Description
71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
618-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2015-15
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle, muskrat, Canadian goose, beaver, wood duck, bullrushes, yellow and white waterlilies, yellow iris, and loosestrife. Also included in the slideshow are photographs of the BC Wildlife rescue and fisherman working in the Brunette River.
Subjects
Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
Animals - Birds
Animals
Geographic Features - Forests
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Lawson, Doreen A.
Chapman, Fred
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from sheets slides
Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Images
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L.A. scrapbook 1964

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4578
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1962-1971 (date of original), copied 2016
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 scrapbook (2 digital files (pdfs) + 55 photographs (tiffs)
Scope and Content
File consists of images of a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, a few original documents about a pet show, a newsletter from 1971 and twelve photographs. The cover of the scrapbook is titled "L.A. Scrapbook 1964" and the inside front page reads: "Lakeview_District_Girl_Guide_Association".
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
Series
Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 scrapbook (2 digital files (pdfs) + 55 photographs (tiffs)
Scope and Content
File consists of images of a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, a few original documents about a pet show, a newsletter from 1971 and twelve photographs. The cover of the scrapbook is titled "L.A. Scrapbook 1964" and the inside front page reads: "Lakeview_District_Girl_Guide_Association".
Subjects
Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
Names
Girl Guides of Canada
Egelstad, Mrs. H.
Walker, Bea
Accession Code
BV016.49.82
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1962-1971 (date of original), copied 2016
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lakeview-Mayfield Area
Notes
Transcribed title
Selective retention of original records from scrapbook
Four photographs from scrapbook are described at item level (BV016.49.107 to BV016.49.110)
Three photographs within scrapbook were created by Bea Walker (BV016.49.107 to BV016.49.109)
Images
Documents
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Bruce Northorp and Robert Prittie

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46210
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1969 and 1973]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Royal Canadian Mounted Police staff-sergeant Bruce Northorp in uniform, shaking hands with Burnaby Mayor Robert Prittie, as the Mayor presents him with the RCMP's 20-year long-service metal at a ceremony at city hall.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1969 and 1973]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 24.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1098
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Royal Canadian Mounted Police staff-sergeant Bruce Northorp in uniform, shaking hands with Burnaby Mayor Robert Prittie, as the Mayor presents him with the RCMP's 20-year long-service metal at a ceremony at city hall.
Subjects
Clothing - Uniforms
Public Services - Policing
Ceremonies - Awards
Personal Symbols - Certificates
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Names
Northorp, Bruce
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Street Address
4949 Canada Way
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Environmental Issues
Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
Geographic Features
Geographic Features - Parks
Housing
Occupations
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Occupations - Writers
Persons - Volunteers
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Religions
Religions - Judaism
Names
Schwartz, William "Bill"
Schwartz, Ellen
City of Burnaby
Polestar Communications
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Accession Code
BV023.16.6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
Documents
Audio Tracks

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

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

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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55593
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 27, 1970
Collection/Fonds
John Shaw fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of John Shaw, Municipal Clerk, sitting in his office, looking out the window.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
April 27, 1970
Collection/Fonds
John Shaw fonds
Series
Civil Service series
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 5.5 x 5.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
485-068
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2005-15
2006-01
2007-18
Scope and Content
Photograph of John Shaw, Municipal Clerk, sitting in his office, looking out the window.
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - City Halls
Occupations - Civic Workers
Names
Shaw, John Horace "Jack"
Burnaby City Hall
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Street Address
4949 Canada Way
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
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Snow Owl / Burnaby Lake Snow Pictures

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91702
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1970 and 2001]
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Scope and Content
File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1970 and 2001]
Collection/Fonds
Doreen Lawson fonds
Physical Description
25 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
Description Level
File
Record No.
618-020
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2015-15
Scope and Content
File consists photographs of a snow-covered Burnaby Lake and a snowy owl perched on a large tree stump.
Subjects
Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
Animals - Birds
Plants - Trees
Natural Phenomena - Snow
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Lawson, Doreen A.
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from negative envelope
Geographic Access
Burnaby Lake
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Images
Less detail

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