71 records – page 1 of 4.

Burnaby centennial anthology : stories of early Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5472
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Edition
Rev. ed.
Publication Date
1994
Call Number
971.133 BUR COPY 3
’S I was born in North Vancouver on December 5, 1919. My father was a Canadian born in Toronto in 1886. My mother (nee Mary Adair) was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1897. I have three brothers - Wilmot (Bill) born in New Westminster in 1923; Eric, also born in New Westminster in 1925; and Halford born
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0969282826
Call Number
971.133 BUR COPY 3
Edition
Rev. ed.
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
1994
Physical Description
531 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Burnaby (B.C.)--History
Burnaby (B.C.)
Biography
Notes
Includes index.
3 copies held: copy 3.
Digital Books
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Burnaby's best baby contest

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16735
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest seated on the lap of her mother/caregiver.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Series
Heritage Village Museum presentation and programming series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest seated on the lap of her mother/caregiver.
History
The first contest for Burnaby's Best Baby was held in September 1930. It was sponsored by the Burnaby Broadcast newspaper, with arrangements made by the Victorian Order of Nurses and judging by the Medical Health Officer and School Board doctor. The first winner was Lois Smith, who was presented with the Broadcast Trophy. A few years earlier, in 1922, a province wide "Better Babies Contest" was held at the New Westminster Exhibition. The babies were judged on their health, nutrition and physical form. Margaret Louise Lovell of Vancouver was the first prize winner of a five dollar coin. Burnaby's own Catherine Corker was another provincial winner in the nineteen twenties. In the early nineteen eighties, Burnaby Village Museum revived the contest as "Burnaby's Better Baby Contest" . The contest was run annually by Burnaby Village Museum until 1994 and was also known as "Burnaby's Best Baby Contest" and "Best Baby in Burnaby". The contest was limited to Burnaby residents who were twelve months and younger.
Subjects
Events - Competitions
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.5.1820
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Burnaby's best baby contest

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16737
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest seated together with two unidentified women. The baby is wearing a jumper with a sailboat embroidered on the bib and is seated on the lap of their mother/caregiver.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Series
Heritage Village Museum presentation and programming series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest seated together with two unidentified women. The baby is wearing a jumper with a sailboat embroidered on the bib and is seated on the lap of their mother/caregiver.
History
The first contest for Burnaby's Best Baby was held in September 1930. It was sponsored by the Burnaby Broadcast newspaper, with arrangements made by the Victorian Order of Nurses and judging by the Medical Health Officer and School Board doctor. The first winner was Lois Smith, who was presented with the Broadcast Trophy. A few years earlier, in 1922, a province wide "Better Babies Contest" was held at the New Westminster Exhibition. The babies were judged on their health, nutrition and physical form. Margaret Louise Lovell of Vancouver was the first prize winner of a five dollar coin. Burnaby's own Catherine Corker was another provincial winner in the nineteen twenties. In the early nineteen eighties, Burnaby Village Museum revived the contest as "Burnaby's Better Baby Contest" . The contest was run annually by Burnaby Village Museum until 1994 and was also known as "Burnaby's Best Baby Contest" and "Best Baby in Burnaby". The contest was limited to Burnaby residents who were twelve months and younger.
Subjects
Events - Competitions
Persons - Black Canadians
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.5.1823
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Burnaby's best baby contest

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16738
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest interacting with people inside the Burnaby Village Museum Ice Cream Parlour. The baby is being held by their mother/caregiver while Burnaby Village Museum Operations Coordinator, Gilda Heath holds the baby's hand. An unid…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Century Park Museum Association fonds
Series
Heritage Village Museum presentation and programming series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified participant in the Best Baby in Burnaby Contest interacting with people inside the Burnaby Village Museum Ice Cream Parlour. The baby is being held by their mother/caregiver while Burnaby Village Museum Operations Coordinator, Gilda Heath holds the baby's hand. An unidentified person with their back to the camera is looking on from the left.
History
The first contest for Burnaby's Best Baby was held in September 1930. It was sponsored by the Burnaby Broadcast newspaper, with arrangements made by the Victorian Order of Nurses and judging by the Medical Health Officer and School Board doctor. The first winner was Lois Smith, who was presented with the Broadcast Trophy. A few years earlier, in 1922, a province wide "Better Babies Contest" was held at the New Westminster Exhibition. The babies were judged on their health, nutrition and physical form. Margaret Louise Lovell of Vancouver was the first prize winner of a five dollar coin. Burnaby's own Catherine Corker was another provincial winner in the nineteen twenties. In the early nineteen eighties, Burnaby Village Museum revived the contest as "Burnaby's Better Baby Contest" . The contest was run annually by Burnaby Village Museum until 1994 and was also known as "Burnaby's Best Baby Contest" and "Best Baby in Burnaby". The contest was limited to Burnaby residents who were twelve months and younger.
Subjects
Events - Competitions
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.5.1822
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
16 Sep. 1984
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Diaper Derby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription80301
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 15.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified baby in the Mother’s Day “Diaper Derby” at Lougheed Mall.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
May 14, 1997
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 15.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-0742
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No reproduction permitted
Accession Number
2012-11
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified baby in the Mother’s Day “Diaper Derby” at Lougheed Mall.
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Langdeau, Brian
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "D TC Brian Also in colour - 1145 / Red Jumper"
Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)
Images
Less detail

Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19279
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1984]
Collection/Fonds
Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs : col.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two photographs of actors from Vancouver Sath performing in the play "Maluka" at Sexsmith Elementary School.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Dr. Sadhu Binning fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
2 photographs : col.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of two photographs of actors from Vancouver Sath performing in the play "Maluka" at Sexsmith Elementary School.
History
Dr. Sadhu Binning was born on May 10, 1947 to mother Gurmej Kaur and father Jeet Singh Binning. Due to lack of proper records management in India at the time of his birth, it is believed that he was actually born sometime in December of 1947. He grew up alongside two brothers and one sister in a village located in Kapurthala, Punjab. Dr. Binning attended secondary school in the nearby city of Phagwara, Punjab although he did not complete his education here. Throughout his childhood, he enjoyed reading both Punjabi and Hindi novels and learned how to read Urdu as well. Dr. Binning’s uncle, Dhana Singh immigrated to Canada in 1933 and returned to India in 1953. When Dhana Singh returned to Canada in 1957, he sponsored Dr. Binning’s father, Jeet Singh Binning to immigrate. Dhana Singh co-owned a few saw mills in British Columbia and also worked in the truck driving industry. Dr. Binning remembers that some people who had lived in Canada would visit their village and that they appeared to be strong and healthy and looked happy. He also noticed that they would eat meat, so whenever they would visit there would be meat available. In 1967, when he was nineteen and a half years old, Dr. Binning immigrated Canada to join his father. He recalls his father and uncle and a friend arriving at the airport to pick him up. During his first few days, Dr. Binning made the decision to remove his turban and beard upon receiving advice from his uncle. Dr. Binning first obtained work on a farm in Abbotsford, working alongside his mother. While working, Dr. Binning also attended English classes in Vancouver. Dr. Binning’s Uncle Dhana Singh worked in a Vancouver saw mill and tried to help find work for his nephew but was unsuccessful. Dr. Binning soon found work at a saw mill in Avola and worked there until the end of the summer until a friend helped find him work in a saw mill in North Vancouver. During his free time, he enjoyed camping with friends. In 1970, Dr. Binning left the saw mill after obtaining a job at the post office. The post office offered lower wages than working at the mill but Dr. Binning believed that he would become more educated working here. While working as a postman, Dr. Binning recalls facing a lot of discrimination and racism and was often referred to as a ‘Paki’ multiple times a day. In 1973, Dr. Binning married Jagish Sihota. Sadhu and Jagdish originated from nearby villages in India and met each other in Canada. Dr. Binning’s wife, Jagdish worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for thirty years until her retirement. While working, she also looked after the household and their son and daughter. Jagdish also handwrote a magazine, “Watno Dur’ (English translation: ‘away from homeland’) which was distributed in the community. In 1976, Dr. Binning became the editor of the magazine and the name was later changed to “Watan’ as they had accepted their new homeland of Canada. While working at the post office, Dr. Binning also attended night school starting in eighth grade. After receiving his high school diploma, he was accepted to Simon Fraser University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology and in 1986 he obtained a Masters degree from Simon Fraser University. While attending university, Dr. Binning was very active within the community and wanted to work to improve society. He first thought that he would return to India to contribute and improve rights in his homeland but upon seeing the prevalence of the movements in Canada, he realized that work needed to be done here too. In 1983, Dr. Binning became a founding member and contributor to a theatrical collective known as “Vancouver Sath”. The theatrical group produced plays that represented societal issues and were invited to perform at multiple conferences throughout British Columbia and Canada. The group focused and acknowledged the many issues in Punjab and in Canada. One of the plays that the group produced focused on the exploitation of Punjabi women who worked on farms in Canada. Dr. Binning continued to be involved as an integral member of Vancouver Sath until 1995. Over the years, Dr. Binning has strongly lobbied for Punjabi language education and between 1988 and 2008 he worked as Punjabi instructor at the University of British Columbia. He first worked as a teaching assistant at UBC under Dr. Harjot Oberoi and due to low wages, he simultaneously worked at the Post Office. In 2019, Dr. Binning received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC in recognition of his work. Since 1973, Dr. Binning has lived in Burnaby and has resided in the same home that he and his wife purchased in 1987. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, watercolour painting, travelling abroad and going on road trips.
Creator
Binning, Dr. Sadhu
Accession Code
BV023.7
Date
[1984]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
See also artifacts descriptions for related materials re: Vancouver Sath and Watan magazine: BV023.7.1 to BV023.7.16
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Faye Diamond fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1663
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1989-1993
Collection/Fonds
Faye Diamond fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1136 photographs
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of photographs taken by Faye Stebner Diamond documenting the restoration and installation of the C.W. Parker Carousel no. 119 carousel, undertaken by the Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel "Friends of the Carousel". Detailed photograph…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Faye Diamond fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1136 photographs
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a collection of photographs taken by Faye Stebner Diamond documenting the restoration and installation of the C.W. Parker Carousel no. 119 carousel, undertaken by the Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel "Friends of the Carousel". Detailed photographs document the restoration process from start to finish and the installation of the carousel inside the Don Wrigley Pavillion at Burnaby Village Museum. Some of the photographs may have been taken by Ken Diamond.
History
Faye (Stebner) Diamond was born in Burnaby to parents, Ethel Coe (Uter) Stebner and Edward A. "Ed" Stebner. Faye (Stebner) Diamond and her husband Ken Diamond were both involved in the restoration of the C.W. Parker no. 119 carousel from start to finish. Faye Diamond, was one of the very active volunteers of the Friends of the Carousel during the restoration, and served on the committee that chose paint colours for the horses. Her father, Ed Stebner, was also a volunteer. Faye and her mother Ethel, along with Ken Diamond, were responsible for the restoration of the carousel horse Mignonette, named after Mignon Uter (nee Coe), Faye's maternal grandmother who came to Burnaby in 1918 with her parents, James and Elizabeth Coe. The Stebner family also sponsored the carousel horse Mr. Ed, in recognition of Faye's father. Faye Diamond photographed and documented much of the restoration process. The Parker Carousel was restored by a number of avid volunteers from The Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel (Friends of the Carousel), which was created in 1989 to raise funds to rescue the Parker Carousel no. 119 from Playland at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). In May 1989, Burnaby Village Museum agreed to provide a home for the carousel and "Friends of the Carousel" set about raising the $350,000 to purchase the machine. The carousel opened inside the Don Wrigley Pavilion at the Burnaby Village Museum in March 1993.
Creator
Diamond, Faye Stebner
Names
Lower Mainland Association of the Friends of the Vancouver Carousel
Accession Code
BV003.44
BV012.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
1989-1993
Media Type
Photograph
Arrangement
Arrangement of photograph collection were matched to Faye Diamond's original order which grouped together photographs of each horse and the installation process. Some of the photographs were arranged chronologically by the Burnaby Village Museum Curator.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Col. copy negatives accompanying photographs
Less detail

Follow that fire : the history of the Burnaby Fire Department

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5194
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Penn, Douglas H. (Douglas Harold), 1947-
Publication Date
1997
Call Number
363.378 PEN COPY 3
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0969282826
Call Number
363.378 PEN COPY 3
Author
Penn, Douglas H. (Douglas Harold), 1947-
Place of Publication
[Burnaby, B.C.]
Publisher
City of Burnaby
Publication Date
1997
Physical Description
160 p. : ill. (some col.), 2 maps, ports. (some col.) ; 29 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Name Access
Burnaby Fire Department
Notes
Maps on lining papers.
3 copies held: copy 3.
Digital Books
Less detail

Four Love sisters

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10321
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1970-1980]
Collection/Fonds
Love family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; copy print ; 8.8 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of four older women posing for photograph in building lobby. From left to right are: Phoebe Love Feedham, Minnie Love Mackenzie, Esther (Eddie) Love Stanley, and Sarah Love Parker. There are palms and other large plants in the background.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Love family fonds
Series
Love family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; copy print ; 8.8 x 12 cm
Material Details
Written on the verso in black ink: "A. Phoebe, A. Minnie, A. Eddie, / Grams. / 4 Love sisters"
Scope and Content
Photograph of four older women posing for photograph in building lobby. From left to right are: Phoebe Love Feedham, Minnie Love Mackenzie, Esther (Eddie) Love Stanley, and Sarah Love Parker. There are palms and other large plants in the background.
History
Photograph is from the Love farmhouse. The house was lived in by generations of the Love family. Jesse and Martha Love's daughter, Sarah Love married William Parker and their daughter, Elsie (later Hughes) is the donor's mother. The objects were in the house when the donor lived in the house.
Names
Feedham, Phoebe Leonard Love
McKenzie, Edith Minnie Love
Stanley, Esther Love
Parker, Sarah Maria Love
Accession Code
BV019.8.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1970-1980]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
18-Mar-19
Scale
96
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18831
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1918-2016
Collection/Fonds
Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
33 photographs + 7 architectural drawings +1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family photographs and personal papers pertaining to Gerald Frank Sanders and Alice Viola Sparman Sanders along with architectural plans pertaining to the family home located on Spruce Street in Burnaby. Fonds has been arranged into the following series: 1) Sanders-Sparman photog…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Gerald F. Sanders and Alice Sparman Sanders fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
33 photographs + 7 architectural drawings +1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family photographs and personal papers pertaining to Gerald Frank Sanders and Alice Viola Sparman Sanders along with architectural plans pertaining to the family home located on Spruce Street in Burnaby. Fonds has been arranged into the following series: 1) Sanders-Sparman photographs series 2) Sanders family personal papers 3) Sanders family architectural drawings
History
Gerald Frank Sanders (1916-2017) was born August 28, 1916 in Hackney, London. In 1918, Gerald immigrated to Canada with his mother Harriett Sanders (nee Chalkley) (1889-1962) while his father, Frank (1887-1967) was convalescing in hospital in England after succumbing to wounds while serving in action during WWI. Gerald's father, Frank soon joined them in British Columbia. In 1926 they settled in a house located at 4312 Spruce Street near the corner of Spruce Street and Carleton Avenue. By 1946 the family grew in size to four children (Gerald, Leslie, Reginald and Eileen) and they built a larger house right on the corner of Spruce and Carleton Avenue. Gerald attended Inman Elementary, then Van Technical School. He eventually joined the RAF during WWII as an airplane mechanic in England. He sent his pay home and his mother purchased two lots on Pine Street with some of the money. On March 8, 1948 Gerald married Alice Viola Sparman (1925-1996) and the couple lived in the Sanders' family home on Spruce Street. Alice grew up near Cranbrook and spent her teenage years in Victoria. She trained to be a nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver before marrying Gerald. Alice worked at the Burnaby General Hospital from 1952. Gerald and Alice had six children: Dennis, Kris, Kerry, David, Ruth and Marie. In 1949 with the help of family and friends Gerald built a new house located at 4325 Pine Street (address after 1959- 4091 Pine Street) and he moved in with his family. Gerald worked as a carpenter on various projects including the dentistry building at University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Court House and Jack Poole's house in the British Properties. Gerald lived in Burnaby until his death in 2017. Frank and Harriett Sanders lived on Spruce Street until Harriett died in 1962. Frank continued to live on Spruce Street until 1964 and then lived with his son Gerald on Pine Street until his death in 1967.
Creator
Sanders, Alice Viola Sparman
Sanders, Gerald Frank
Accession Code
BV018.34
Date
1918-2016
Media Type
Photograph
Architectural Drawing
Textual Record
Arrangement
Records and series were arranged by specific record types.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail

Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97220
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912-1950 (date of originals); 2012
Collection/Fonds
Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
9 photograph : col ; 10 x 15 cm.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs created by members of the Gordon Presbyterian Church that depict the Church and district as well as events and activities undertaken by or for church groups. Included in the fonds are photographs taken at the Church's one hundredth anniversary event.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912-1950 (date of originals); 2012
Collection/Fonds
Gordon Presbyterian Church fonds
Physical Description
9 photograph : col ; 10 x 15 cm.
Description Level
Fonds
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2013-12
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of photographs created by members of the Gordon Presbyterian Church that depict the Church and district as well as events and activities undertaken by or for church groups. Included in the fonds are photographs taken at the Church's one hundredth anniversary event.
History
In November 1911, a small group of people met at Morton Hall on Edmonds Street, Burnaby, to organize a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. David J. Gordon, a student from Westminster Hall Theological College, was in charge. By 1912, a building was erected on two lots and named the Gordon Presbyterian Church. A new sanctuary was built in 1956 and, due to the increase in the congregation, a Christan Education Centre was added in 1974. The longest minister to serve the congregation was Reverend George Philps and his wife Margaret. After 21 years, he retired in 1987. In April of 1988, Reverend Charles Scott began serving. Six months later, a fire broke out in the centre portion of the complex. For many months, while reconstruction continued, worship services were held at the Edmonds Community Centre for the Retired. In 2001, Reverend Cal MacLeod and his wife Robin joined the congregation. Mrs. Marie Douglas, wife of retired minister Reverend R. J. Douglas and mother of missionary to India, Ellen Douglas, started the first Women’s Missionary Auxiliary in 1932. The Ladies Aid Societies were an active force in the Gordon Presbyterian Church. In 1957, the original Ladies Aid became known as the Margaret Hall Circle, named after Margaret Philps’ mother, who had been an active member. For many years, the COC, Explorers and CGIT were very active and Sunday School classes have been in operation since the beginning.
Media Type
Photograph
Creator
Gordon Presbyterian Church
Notes
Title based on content of fonds
PC 555
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Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19150
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1950-2022
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interviews series 2) Jimmy Chow family photographs series 3) Property master photographs series 4) Property master records series
History
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow and his mother, Gim Gee Chow (1913-1991) fled China to escape the Communist Revolution and to be reunited with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow (1906-1990) who’d immigrated to Canada many years earlier. Jimmy’s elder sister Shao-Lin Chow stayed behind in China. Jimmy’s father, Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Canada in 1921 at 14 years of age and was forced to pay the Chinese head tax of $500. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother first fled to Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada and arriving in Vancouver. Jimmy Chow’s birth name is Hipman Chow but when he arrived in Canada, his father indicated that he needed an English name and he was given the name “Jimmy” but retained his birth name “Hipman Chow”. Over the years, Jimmy has also used the name “James H. Chow” and is often credited by this name in the film industry. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec where his father had work in hotels and restaurants. While living in Asquith, Saskatchewan Jimmy attended school and began to learn English. In 1954, Jimmy and his parents returned to Vancouver, first living in the area of Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant where they purchased a house located on 15th Avenue east of Main Street. While living in Mount Pleasant, Jimmy attended both elementary and high school. While attending high school, Jimmy began working at the local grocery store where he worked for many years living at home and saving his money. In 1970 while attending Vancouver City College, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos. Two years later, they moved in together, married in 1981 and started a family. Jimmy and Donna first lived in North Burnaby before purchasing a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they raised their three children. Growing up in a traditional Chinese Canadian family, Jimmy was always one who went against the grain. Although his father wanted him to get a business degree, Jimmy had aspirations for a different career path. Through the referral of a friend, he entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver. While working at the CBC, Jimmy gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career in the film industry. Over a 45 year career, Jimmy worked on over 50 blockbuster movies, historical period films, science fiction films and fantasy films, where he honed in on his expertise as a set decorator, art director and property master. He built an international reputation through working with production companies, prop makers and antique sellers across the globe. As a property master in the film industry, Jimmy Chow has been responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: The BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, Once a Thief and many more. With Jimmy's many years of professional experience in the film industry, he has been a union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians...) from July 1979, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science from 2018 and has worked as a guest lecturer in film production at Capilano University and Langara University. He was also a key contributor to the Burnaby Village Museum’s 2014 temporary exhibition Burnaby Makes Movies. Donna Polos was born in Vancouver in 1949 to parents Mayme "May" Helen Tillikana Polos (1931-1977) and Donald James Polos (1926-2017). Donna’s maternal grandparents, Elvi Tienhara and Toiva Tillikana immigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Chimiki Polos emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James "Jimmy" Kostopolus emigrated as an orphan from Sparta Greece at the age of 12 years. In 1908, he first immigrated to the United States where he was denied entry so immigrated to Canada, entering through Halifax at Pier 17. When immigrating, James changed his last name to "Polos". Jimmy Polos arrived in Halifax with only five dollars in his pocket. He lived in Halifax for many years before making his way to Vancouver where he established three restaurants and raised his family. James was the proprietor of three restaurants in Burnaby including; the Home Apple Pie Café (1941-1944) located on East Hastings near Princess Avenue; Jimmy’s Café (1945-1955) located on East Hastings near Hawks Avenue and another restaurant located near 10th Avenue and Alma Street. Donna grew up with her family in Vancouver, first living in the downtown eastside before moving to a home near Joyce Station. Donna attended elementary school and high school while growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. Donna moved out of her family home at 21 years of age and lived with roommates before moving in with Jimmy Chow in 1972. Donna attended Vancouver City College and the University of British Columbia where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974. Donna first taught at Gilmore Elementary School before being hired to teach at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. While raising their three children, Donna worked part time teaching in schools in Burnaby. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. This experience led her to experimenting with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. In 2008, Donna retired from teaching but continued her art career often working as an Artist in Residence at various schools and exhibiting her work. While living in Burnaby Donna has been politically active with a particular passion for heritage, housing and preserving the natural environment. Donna was instrumental in advocating and petitioning for the establishment of a tree bylaw in Burnaby which was eventually adopted by the City.
Creator
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Polos, Donna
Accession Code
BV022.21
BV023.11
Date
1950-2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Photograph
Textual Record
Graphic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory464
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1911-1990
Length
00:05:22
Summary
This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Dep…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about how Al Nixon began collecting and saving photographs, records and stories about the history of the Burnaby Fire Department in the mid 1980's. Finding the first scrapbook of photographs lead to other discoveries that placed the beginning of the Burnaby Fire Department in 1911.
Date Range
1911-1990
Length
00:05:22
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory465
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:08
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early member…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early members of the department who were also interested in the department's history.
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:08
Names
Blake, Fred
Auvache, Lewis
Chapman, Henry H.
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Buildings - Civic
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
Date Range
1927-1990
Length
00:04:05
Names
Waddell, Gordon
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Buildings - Civic
Transportation - Fire Trucks
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory467
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1945-1990
Length
00:06:11
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the inhalator equipment used by the department starting in 1945. Al Nixon describes 50% of the calls received by the department as "pre-hospital care", and that the department is an emergency service rather than just a fire department. He also describes the 19…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the inhalator equipment used by the department starting in 1945. Al Nixon describes 50% of the calls received by the department as "pre-hospital care", and that the department is an emergency service rather than just a fire department. He also describes the 1990 department staffing and equipment level.
Date Range
1945-1990
Length
00:06:11
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Emergency Measures
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory468
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1980-1990
Length
00:05:26
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the purchase and location of the first fire hydrants in Burnaby by the Waterworks Department, and about disputes about the areas covered by adjacent fire departments, in particular who covered District Lot 172 between Burnaby and New Westminster.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the purchase and location of the first fire hydrants in Burnaby by the Waterworks Department, and about disputes about the areas covered by adjacent fire departments, in particular who covered District Lot 172 between Burnaby and New Westminster.
Date Range
1980-1990
Length
00:05:26
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory469
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1980-1990
Length
00:05:58
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing his work as Deputy Fire Chief and some of the challenges facing the department: the need for more and better equipment and halls to address fires in new kinds of structures (e.g. Metrotown parkade) and growing areas
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing his work as Deputy Fire Chief and some of the challenges facing the department: the need for more and better equipment and halls to address fires in new kinds of structures (e.g. Metrotown parkade) and growing areas
Date Range
1980-1990
Length
00:05:58
Subjects
Public Services - Fire Protection
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
Date Range
1936-1990
Length
00:04:34
Subjects
Buildings - Civic - Archives
Buildings - Civic - Museums
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory471
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon's father Basil Nixon, who was Provincial Fire Marshall, and his mother Agnes, whose father Thomas Douglas was murdered in 1934, perhaps for political reasons. He also talks about the Burquitlam neighbourhood where his Douglas grandparents lived in the heritage home "Seven Gables" on Sullivan Street. He relates some childhood events, including the train wreck on Burnette Creek in 1936.
Date Range
1928-1990
Length
00:07:51
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Cameron Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 21, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:43:35
Interviewee Name
Nixon, Al
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

71 records – page 1 of 4.