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Nelson Avenue School site
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11135
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- April 12, 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm
- Scope and Content
- Survey plan of "Nelson Avenue School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being the south half of Block 19, except therefrom the north 33 feet, of Lot 99, Gp. 1. New Westminster District".
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Ronald G. Scobbie collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 56 x 54 cm
- Material Details
- Scale 40 feet = 1 inch
- Scope and Content
- Survey plan of "Nelson Avenue School Site / Burnaby Municipality" "Being the south half of Block 19, except therefrom the north 33 feet, of Lot 99, Gp. 1. New Westminster District".
- Creator
- McGugan, Donald Johnston
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools
- Names
- Nelson Avenue School
- Responsibility
- Burnett & McGugan, Engineers and Surveyors
- Geographic Access
- Irmin Street
- Street Address
- 4850 Irmin Street
- Accession Code
- BV003.83.14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- April 12, 1915
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Scan Resolution
- 440
- Scan Date
- 22-Dec-2020
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of plan
- Note in black ink on verso of plan reads: "1745"
- Oath on plan reads: "I, D.G. McGugan..." "...and did person- ally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 5th day of March 1915"; signed by D.J. McGugan, notarized by "R.E. Chapman", sworn "...12th day of April 1915" "Burnett and McGugan" "B.C. Land Surveyors Etc. New Westminster, B.C.."
Images
baseball trophy
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact12472
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV985.4071.1
- Description
- Trophy, silver cup with handle either side, mounted on polished round wooden base; on cup front, "BURNABY SCHOOL LEAGUE BASEBALL TROPHY" "PRESENTED FOR PERPETUAL COMPETITION BY ALFRED W. MCLEOD LTD." "NEW WESTMINSTER AND VANCOUVER, B.C." "1925"; A strip of polished metal is mounted around the circumference of the wood base. I has the names of the trophy recipients engraved on it. It is divided into five sections by engraved lines, each headed "WINNER"; centre section "1925 GILMORE AVENUE" "1926 NELSON AVENUE" "1927 NELSON AVENUE"; other sections are blank ; The cup and strip are tarnished
Images
![Grade 7, Division 1 class at Nelson School, [1965-1966] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0026_0012_001.jpg?width=280)
Grade 7, Division 1 class at Nelson School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2831
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1965-1966]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Photograph: Nelson School Grade 7, Division 1 class photograph for the 1965 to 1966 school year. Mr Frank Allder, the school vice-principal, is standing on the far left. The unidentified teacher is standing on the far right.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Photograph: Nelson School Grade 7, Division 1 class photograph for the 1965 to 1966 school year. Mr Frank Allder, the school vice-principal, is standing on the far left. The unidentified teacher is standing on the far right.
- Accession Code
- BV007.26.12
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1965-1966]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scan Date
- 29-Nov-2018
- Scale
- 96
- Notes
- Originally housed in a photographic album
- 1 duplicate photograph accompanying
Images
![Grade 7, Division 1 class at Nelson School, [1965-1966] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0026_0012_001.jpg)
Postcard of a class photo of the 1913-1914 Grade 8 class at Nelson Ave. School.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4935
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1913-1914
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 postcard : sepia ; copy print ; 9 cm x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Postcard of a class photo of the 1913-1914 Grade 8 class at Nelson Ave. School.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 postcard : sepia ; copy print ; 9 cm x 14 cm
- Material Details
- Names of the students written in pencil in the back: "Standing: Elsie Impett, Donald Gough, Hector ___, ____ McLean, Johnny Robertson, ____, ____ Sigurdson, Mr. Whitten, Chrstina Goodwin, Sitting: Vera Dibb, Bessie Wrigley, Dorothy Willaims, ____, Hilda Wright, Alice Young, ___, Vera Lund, Katy Robertson" / 1913 - 1914 / Nelson Ave School / Grade VIII;
- Scope and Content
- Postcard of a class photo of the 1913-1914 Grade 8 class at Nelson Ave. School.
- Other Title Information
- Title based on contents.
- Names
- Nelson Avenue School
- Accession Code
- BV018.20.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- 1913-1914
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 17-Jul-18
Images
report card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89108
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV018.20.1
- Description
- report card; Front and back view of the school report card for Elsie Impett. Front page shows "Register No. _____. / Nelson Ave. (handwritten) / Public School / Province of British Columbia / Pupil's Monthly Record Card." Back page shows "Parent's Signatures" and A. Impett has signed it three times. Inside view of the school report card for Elsie Impett issued by Nelson Ave. Public School on June 30, 1915. She is listed as a "senior". Report card lists the months of January to June with columns for No. of Sessions, Times Late, General Conduct, Special Demerits, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic & Bookkeeping, Drawing, Composition, Nature Studies, Geography, British & Canadian History, Algebra, English Grammer, Literature and Spelling. Teacher J.G. Whiten has handwritten Elsie's grades and wrote a comment "Elsie has done excellent work.".
- Object History
- Elsie Impett (later MacDonald) was born in 1902 in England. Her family setted at Fenwick Avenue, Burnaby. She worked as a clerk and married James MacDonald in 1923 in New Westminster.
- Category
- 08. Communication Artifacts
- Measurements
- L: 19.5 cm W: 18.5 cm
- Names
- Nelson Avenue School
Images
![Staff at Nelson Elementary School, [1965-1966] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0026_0011_001.jpg?width=280)
Staff at Nelson Elementary School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2830
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1965-1966]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Photograph: Nelson Elementary School staff photograph for the 1965 to 1966 school year. All of the teachers in the front row are unidentified. second row from front, far left, Joan Smith seocnd row from front, second from left, unknown second row from front, third from left, Pat Sexsmith second r…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Scope and Content
- Photograph: Nelson Elementary School staff photograph for the 1965 to 1966 school year. All of the teachers in the front row are unidentified. second row from front, far left, Joan Smith seocnd row from front, second from left, unknown second row from front, third from left, Pat Sexsmith second row from front, fourth from left, unknown second row from front, fifth from left, unknown second row from front, sixth from left, Margaret Andrusika second row from front, seventh from left, unknown second row from front, eighth from left, unknown back row far left, Frank Allder back row, second from left, Charley Archibald back row, third for left, unknown back row, fourth from left, Mr. Magus back row, fifth from left, unknown
- Subjects
- Occupations - Teachers
- Accession Code
- BV007.26.11
- Access Restriction
- Restricted access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1965-1966]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 300
- Scan Date
- 29-Nov-2018
- Scale
- 96
- Notes
- Originally housed in a photographic album
Images
![Staff at Nelson Elementary School, [1965-1966] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2007/2007_0026_0011_001.jpg)
trophy cup
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact26142
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV975.147.1
- Description
- The trophy cup is silver plated and has a handle on either side. It is mounted on a round wooden base. It was presented to the Burnaby Junior Schools, girls baseball team during the years 1921 to 1927. The school that each team represented is engraved on the reverse side of the cup.
- Category
- 09. Recreational Artifacts
- Classification
- Personal Symbols - - Achievement Symbols
- Marks/Labels
- "BURNABY JUNIOR SCHOOLS / GIRLS BASEBALL TROPHY", engraved on the front of the cup "WON BY / NELSON AVENUE. 1921. / KINGSWAY EAST. 1922. / KINGSWAY EAST. 1923. / KITCHENER STREET. 1926. / RIVERWAY EAST 1927", engraved on the reverse side of the cup
Images
Pioneer tales of Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5860
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 096928280x
- Call Number
- 971.133 SON COPY 4
- Contributor
- Sone, Michael
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- Corporation of the District of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- c1987
- Physical Description
- 495 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.
- Inscription
- "TR687 - Bryburgh" / handprinted in pencil on frontend page
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Pioneers--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Biography
- Object History
- Early Burnaby as recalled by the settlers themselves who arrived from every corner of the world between 1888 and 1930, some witnessing incorporation of the district in 1892, all seeking a better life for themselves and especially for their children, all helping transform the wilderness into the modern municipality of today.
- Notes
- "Editor Michael Sone".
- Includes index.
- 4 copies held: copy 4
Images
Digital Books
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
rnnts ovayn snsecicesscncsconscrssees 251
Kirk (McLean), Barbara................... 23
Kitchener Street School Neighbourhood
MacLean (Cowie), Doris...............+. 345
Nelson Avenue School Neighbourhood
Cormack (Bickerton), Mary............. 347
KORE TOT so... .ccsscccekcesciditieetecesiccetecs 350
- 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
Burnaby's heritage : an inventory of buildings and structures
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5437
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Luxton, Donald, 1954-
- Wolf, Jim
- Edition
- Rev.
- Publication Date
- 2011
- c2007
- Call Number
- 971.133 LUX COPY 1
, then later as a custodian
at Nelson Avenue School where he was remembered for
making hockey sticks for the pupils. Robertson was also a
poultry farmer, and this large lot once contained a chicken
run and filbert trees. The front gabled house remains in
excellent condition, retaining its double-hung
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 0969282893
- Call Number
- 971.133 LUX COPY 1
- Edition
- Rev.
- Author
- Luxton, Donald, 1954-
- Wolf, Jim
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2011
- c2007
- Physical Description
- 157 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Architecture
- Historic buildings
- Buildings
- Historic sites
- Subjects
- Buildings
- Buildings - Heritage
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- 2 copies held: copy 1.
Digital Books
Inkwells to Internet: A History of Burnaby Schools
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7551
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- ISBN
- 978-0-9781979-2-6
- Call Number
- 371 CAR
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby
- Publisher
- City of Burnaby
- Publication Date
- 2020
- Physical Description
- vii, 35 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Schools--British Columbia--Burnaby
- Subjects
- Education
- Notes
- "Includes index"
- A history of the Burnaby school district and individual school buildings in Burnaby, BC, between 1893 and 2013.
- The “First Nations cemetery” described on page 109 in Mary Johnson’s recollections was originally written as “Indian” and may refer to the Khalsa Diwan Society’s Sikh cremations at the Vancouver Cemetery.
Images
Digital Books
The Bet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9774
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The film details Teresa Florkow’s journey to restore and maintain her tugboat, the Papco III in 1982, at the prodding of her dock neighbour Ollie Iverson.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 25 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- The film details Teresa Florkow’s journey to restore and maintain her tugboat, the Papco III in 1982, at the prodding of her dock neighbour Ollie Iverson.
- History
- Teresa Florkow was born on October 11 1932 in Natal BC (now Sparwood BC). Her parents, Ann and John Bowman had another three girls (Betty Ann, Marilyn and Frances) before moving to Burnaby in 1945. They settled at 1713 Frederick Avenue at Rumble Street. Teresa attended Nelson Avenue School and then Burnaby South High School. After graduation, she worked at the Royal Bank at Kingsway and McKay for 7 years. She married Arc Florkow on July 14 1952. The couple moved to 5887 Berwick Street in Burnaby and had three children: Chris, Jill and Gail. Arc worked as a furniture painter until he bought a tugboat in 1975.
- Creator
- Florkow, Teresa
- Other Title Information
- title supplied by film maker
- Subjects
- Transportation - Boats
- Names
- Florkow, Teresa
- Accession Code
- BV016.37.17
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Images
Video
The Bet, 2016
Bygones of Burnaby : an anecdotal history
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5462
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Publication Date
- 1976
- c1975
- Call Number
- 971.133 MCG COPY 4
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Call Number
- 971.133 MCG COPY 4
- Author
- McGeachie, Pixie, 1921-
- Place of Publication
- Burnaby, B.C.
- Publisher
- Century Park Museum Association
- Publication Date
- 1976
- c1975
- Physical Description
- 108 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Notes
- 4 copies held: copy 4.
Digital Books
History of Burnaby and vicinity
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6890
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Green, George, 1872-1955
- Publication Date
- 1947
- Call Number
- 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV017.17.1
- Call Number
- 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
- Author
- Green, George, 1872-1955
- Place of Publication
- [S.l.]
- Publisher
- [s.n.]
- Publication Date
- 1947
- Printer
- Shoemaker , McLean & Veitch
- Physical Description
- 233 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.
- Inscription
- "Presented To my valued fried Rev. D. W. Scott. a former neighbor at Capitol Hill with best wishes of the author George Green Victoria March 1 1947" [handwritten in black ink on page opposing front pastedown] "BMMM-WU SIGNED 1st ED 50.00" [handwritten in pencil on page opposing front pastedown]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Burnaby (B.C.)
- Biography
- Name Access
- Green, George
- Notes
- Autographed by author
- "By George Green, pioneer resident of Burnaby, and an ex-Councillor. Charter Member of the British Columbia Historical Association, Vancouver Branch, and an Executive Member."
- Copy 2 of 2
Images
Digital Books
ice cream tin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact32912
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV972.143.5
- Description
- Ice cream tin, with lid; large very heavy silver metal bucket, straight sides; no handles; stamped on front in shield "GSW QUALITY" "10" "T" "QT" "S"; white dope number, crossed out
- Object History
- Donor was born in Burnaby and attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). He operated an ice cream business with his father and the tin was used at the shop. The donor was an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
Images
The long trail
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3222
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Dickie, D. J., 1883-1972
- Publication Date
- 1925
- Call Number
- 971 DIC Copy 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV972.195.71
- Call Number
- 971 DIC Copy 1
- Author
- Dickie, D. J., 1883-1972
- Place of Publication
- Toronto
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd.
- Publication Date
- 1925
- Printer
- Temple Press
- Physical Description
- 175 p., 12 leaves of plates : ill., col. ports ; 21 cm.
- Inscription
- "S502" [handwritten in ink on front paste down] "Nelson Avenue School Library" [stamped in black ink on front paste down] "M" [handwritten in pencil on front end paper] "Ha! Ha!" [handwritten in pencil on back end paper] Drawing of 2 birds hand drawn in pencil on back end paper
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Readers--Historical texts
- Canada--History--Historical texts
- Notes
- Includes bibliographical references.
- Author's given name and dates: Dickie, D. J. (Donalda James), 1883-1972.
- Copy 1 of 2
Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.
- History
- Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. 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
- Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
- Buildings - Residential
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Education
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods
- Government - Local Government
- Industries - Film
- Migration
- Occupations
- Occupations - Artists
- Occupations - Grocers
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Teachers
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Social Issues - Racism
- Sports - Soccer
- Names
- Bridge Studios
- Chow, Gim Gee Dang
- Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
- Chow, Robin Chung Dip
- Polos, Donna
- Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962
- Polos, Donald James
- Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana
- Geographic Access
- Victory Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.21.1
- Date
- 29 Jun. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Title based on contents of recording
- Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Audio Tracks
Oral history interview with Hipman
Oral history interview with Hipman
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0021_0001_004.mp3