103 records – page 1 of 6.

William Holmes House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark736
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1860
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
North Road
Brunette River
Associated Dates
1860
Heritage Value
William Holmes is considered to be the first non-Native resident of Burnaby. In March, 1860, Holmes acquired the first land title in the area that would become the Municipality of Burnaby. Legally known as Lot One, Block One, this parcel was located on North Road and the Brunette River. The eight-member Holmes family built a log cabin on the lot on a bluff above the river in which they lived for many years until a bigger home was built. The log cabin remained and in 1892 was used as an isolation hospital when a smallpox epidemic hit the lower mainland. Afterwards, local health officials burned the cabin to prevent the spread of disease.
Planning Study Area
Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
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City of Burnaby Archives

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark783
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
2001
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Albert Street
Associated Dates
2001
Heritage Value
The City of Burnaby Archives officially opened on Saturday, November 10, 2001. The Archives is Burnaby's first municipal archives, and is located in the McGill Branch Library. The City Archives functions as a branch of the Office of the City Clerk and operates as the official repository of Burnaby's municipal records, containing records dating back to Burnaby's incorporation in 1892. In 2007, the City of Burnaby Archives expanded its collection mandate to include private as well as public records. On February 14, 2007 an agreement was signed with the Burnaby Historical Society and, as a result, the Archives accepted into its custody the collection of community records that had been maintained and managed by the Historical Society since the 1950s. In the Spring of 2007, these records were transferred from the Burnaby Village Museum to their permanent home in the Archives facility.
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Street Address
4595 Albert Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Barnet Mountain Park Dedication

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark686
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1942
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1942
Heritage Value
For years, the idea of creating a park on Burnaby Mountain was favoured by people in Burnaby. In 1930, the Municipal Engineer submitted a report recommending that the city acquire land in the area with a view towards formally dedicating the space for public use. In 1942, Commissioner Richard Bolton enacted Bylaw 1772 which officially dedicated the mountain as public park.
Historic Neighbourhood
Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
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Brentwood Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark780
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
Between 1955 and 2001, the Brentwood Neighbourhood developed into one of Burnaby's four official Town Centres. The Brentwood Town Centre serves the north-west sector of the Municipality, providing facilities such as commercial developments - of which the Brentwood Mall is the most significant. Under Burnaby's Residential Development Framework adopted by Council in 1981, the Town Centre also incorporated a full range of multi-housing types and forms in close relationship with their commercial facilities. In 1996, the City adopted the Brentwood Town Centre Development Plant to solidify the area as a focus of higher-density and higher-intensity residential and commercial opportunities, public transit and supporting leisure facilities.
Planning Study Area
Brentwood Area
Images
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Burnaby Municipal Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark807
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1956
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Associated Dates
1956
Heritage Value
When staff outgrew the municipal buildings at Edmonds and Kingsway, a debate erupted over where to build a new municipal hall. North Burnaby residents argued against the Kingsway and Edmonds site as it was too removed for their needs, but South Burnaby residents were not prepared to accept a hall in North Burnaby. The debate was finally resolved when it was suggested that the new civic centre for the municipality be in the exact geographic centre of Burnaby. Fortunately, this meant that the new hall was to be built near Deer Lake, in the beautiful Central Valley setting. Burnaby voters accepted this decision and approved the $625,000.00 it would take to build the new structure and the official opening ceremony was held June 22, 1956 when then Reeve Charles MacSorley received the keys to the hall from the contractor.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Street Address
4949 Canada Way
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Burnaby Village Museum

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark808
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1971
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Avenue
Associated Dates
1971
Heritage Value
The Burnaby Village Museum is a ten-acre heritage site located adjacent to Deer Lake. The site was originally created as a B.C. Centennial Project in 1971. The official sod turning for was April 11, 1971 by the then Governor General of Canada Roland Mitchener. The Village was initially managed by the Century Park Museum Association, a volunteer society of Burnaby citizens. Over the years many heritage building which could not be maintained in their original locations have been moved to the museum. Today half of the buildings in the village are heritage structures and the remainder are reproductions. In 1990 the City of Burnaby assumed direct management of the Village, and the museum became part of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Visitors can enjoy the shops on Hill Street, ride the Parker 119 Carousel, and climb aboard the Interurban 1223 tram.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Street Address
6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Confederation Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark672
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1927
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Willingdon Avenue
Associated Dates
1927
Heritage Value
North Burnaby’s first park began its life as the Capitol Hill subdivision during the land boom of 1909. In 1914 the boom went bust and many owners of unoccupied lots failed to pay the property taxes owing and the land became the property of the Municipality of Burnaby. By 1922, Burnaby had so many lots that it decided to reserve land for future park use and dedicated a narrow 26 acre site adjacent to the ravine. During the 1920s, the Heights area boomed again and many new residents wanted a playground for their children. A local women’s group took on the cause and enlisted local residents and businesses to raise the necessary funds. On June 25, 1927 crowds gathered to officially dedicate “Confederation Park” named in honour of the Diamond Jubilee of Canada’s Confederation (1867-1927).
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Capitol Hill Area
Street Address
250 Willingdon Avenue
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Mortimer-Lamb House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark494
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
The Mortimer-Lamb House is a one and one half-storey, Arts and Crafts-style residence with a steeply pitched, side-gabled roof. The original cottage form has been enlarged with a later addition on the west side of the house. Located next to the Burnaby Lake Regional Park Wildlife Rescue Care Centre…
Associated Dates
c.1922
Formal Recognition
Community Heritage Register
Other Names
Harold & Katherine Mortimer-Lamb Residence
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Harold & Katherine Mortimer-Lamb Residence
Geographic Access
Glencarin Drive
Associated Dates
c.1922
Formal Recognition
Community Heritage Register
Enactment Type
Council Resolution
Enactment Date
26/05/2003
Description
The Mortimer-Lamb House is a one and one half-storey, Arts and Crafts-style residence with a steeply pitched, side-gabled roof. The original cottage form has been enlarged with a later addition on the west side of the house. Located next to the Burnaby Lake Regional Park Wildlife Rescue Care Centre, the house has picturesque views of Burnaby Lake.
Heritage Value
Built circa 1922, the Mortimer-Lamb House is valued for its association with first owners, Harold Mortimer-Lamb (1872-1970), and his wife, Katherine Mary Mortimer-Lamb (1873-1939). Born in Leatherhead, Surrey, England, Harold Mortimer-Lamb immigrated to Canada in 1889. Seven years later in Vancouver, he married Katherine Mary Lindsay, a native of Winnipeg. Mortimer-Lamb was a key figure in the B.C. mining industry, serving as Secretary of the Mining Association of B.C. between 1900 and 1945, and also as the Secretary of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. In addition to his professional life, Mortimer-Lamb was a pioneer art photographer and was among Canada's leading art critics, and this house served as a central gathering place for renowned Canadian artists of the day. Mortimer-Lamb’s daughter, Molly Lamb Bobak (born 1922), became a renowned watercolourist, and was the only woman ever hired as an official Canadian war artist. The Mortimer-Lamb House is a significant example of the work of noted architect, Samuel Maclure (1860-1929) and his partner, Ross Lort (1889-1969). Maclure, who was a close friend of the Mortimer-Lamb family, was British Columbia's leading residential architect, and was renowned for his high quality designs for prominent citizens in both Vancouver and Victoria. Maclure was a leading exponent of the Art and Crafts design movement in B.C., and established a sophisticated local variation of residential architecture. The Mortimer-Lamb House was designed at the time when Maclure was in partnership with Ross Lort. In 1907, Lort began working for Maclure's firm as a draftsman, and by 1920 was in charge of Maclure's Vancouver office. Lort's architectural career spanned some sixty-years, and he designed some of the province's most familiar houses, apartments, institutions and places of worship. The Mortimer-Lamb House is also a significant local example of the Arts and Crafts style, and incorporates elements such as board-and-batten siding on the ground floor, shingled gables and leaded casement windows. It is a testament to the domestic architecture built outside of established suburbs during the post-First World War era, typically modest in scale and representative of middle-class residential ideals.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Mortimer-Lamb House include its: - treed setting with views of Burnaby Lake - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half storey height, rectangular plan and steeply pitched side-gabled roof - wood-frame construction - Arts and Crafts elements such as board-and-batten siding on the ground floor, cedar shingles in the gables and open soffits - original straight-leaded casement windows in single and multiple-assembly - internal red-brick chimney with corbelled cap
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Organization
Mining Association of B.C.
G.F. and J. Galt Limited
Architect
Samuel Maclure
Ross Lort
Function
Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
Primary Current--Single Dwelling
Community
Burnaby Lake
Cadastral Identifier
P.I.D.002-977-788
Boundaries
The Mortimer-Lamb House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 5180 Glencairn Drive, Burnaby.
Area
5652.78
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Documentation
City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
Street Address
5180 Glencarin Drive
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Richmond Park Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark828
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Richmond Park Neighbourhood is part of the larger Edmonds Town Centre - one of four official Town Centres in the City. Richmond Park contains a residential subdivision that developed during the 1950s as well as a strong commercial and retail centre along Edmonds and Kingsway.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Richmond Park Area
Images
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Standard Oil Company / Chevron

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark673
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1935
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Willingdon Avenue North
Associated Dates
1935
Heritage Value
In 1935 the announcement that the California-based Standard Oil Company was going to build a huge "million dollar" refinery in Burnaby was greeted with cheers by residents who were eager for employment and good news during the Great Depression. The refinery, named Stanovan (aka: Standard Oil - Vancouver) was officially opened in 1936 with the ability to produce 2000 barrels per day. During World War Two, the capacity of the refinery doubled to assist in the war effort. In 1976, the company's name was changed to Chevron Canada Limited.
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Street Address
355 Willingdon Avenue North
Images
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St. Nicholas Anglican Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark641
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Church building.
Associated Dates
1912
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Triumph Street
Associated Dates
1912
Description
Church building.
Heritage Value
This church was one of the first built in North Burnaby to serve the new community of Vancouver Heights. Designed by architect Frank Barrs and constructed by local builders, Arthur England and Mr. Scott, it reflected the English roots of the Anglican Church with its fine Arts and Crafts style. It was officially opened in an impressive ceremony by the Bishop of New Westminster and could accommodate 200 worshippers. It was named after Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The adjoining parish hall was completed in 1920. The church building features a gabled roof, triangular eave brackets and a semi-octagonal apse. Stucco has been applied to the exterior, but it retains its original form, scale and massing. It now houses the Burnaby Pacific Grace Church. English-born Frank Barrs (1871-1963) arrived in Vancouver in 1907 and established an office for about one year before he began working for the Vancouver Exhibition Association. He briefly established a partnership (1912-1913) with Samuel Shewbrooks (1877-1957), and was active as an architect until about 1933.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Architect
Frank A.A. Barrs
Area
1695.45
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
3883 Triumph Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Swangard Stadium

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark818
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1969
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Imperial Street
Associated Dates
1969
Heritage Value
On 26 April 1969 Swangard Stadium held its official opening. Named after Vancouver Sun former Managing Editor, Erwin Swangard, the stadium was funded entirely from private donations and civic and provincial grants.
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Images
Less detail

Chinese New Year envelope

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89950
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV019.16.3
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV019.16.3
Description
Chinese New Year envelope; red paper with gummed, fold closure at top; text in Chinese and English in gold reading: "Jagmeet Singh / Leader of Canada's NDP / Burnaby South NDP Candidate / www.jagmeetsingh.ca / Paid for and authorized by official agent of the candidate."; contains a small, square orange-flavoured candy and a thin card; card has the candidate's name and photograph on one side, and the Chinese zodiac on the other.
Object History
Jagmeet Singh is a Canadian lawyer and politician serving as leader of the New Democratic Party since 2017. He was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Burnaby South in a February 25, 2019 by-election.
Category
05.Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology
Classification
Merchandising T&E
Object Term
Envelope, Money
Subjects
Advertising Medium
Holidays - Chinese New Year
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Officials - Elected Officials
Celebrations
Names
Singh, Jagmeet
Images
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Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory32
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1923-1938
Length
0:06:27
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.
Date Range
1923-1938
Photo Info
Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008
Length
0:06:27
Subjects
Officials - Commissioners
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
May 21, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:58:01
Interviewee Name
Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"
Interview Location
Walker Avenue
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Charles B. Brown

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Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory447
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1990
Length
00:05:53
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s discussion of the attitudes, energy and time commitment required for operating a seasonal business and needed for politics. He mentions the Nelson Avenue family home, still lived in by his mother
Date Range
1937-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
Length
00:05:53
Subjects
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Officials - Elected Officials
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne 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 Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. 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, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:34:40
Interviewee Name
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
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 business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Bill Lewarne

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Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory251
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1865-1919
Length
0:10:18
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
Date Range
1865-1919
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:10:18
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Land Clearing
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

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Building Letters

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90803
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.1
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.1
Description
Eight bronze capital letters: "OURT ROOM" Each letter has small protrusions on the backside where they were afixed to the exterior wall of Burnaby's Provincial courtroom.
Object History
The Court Room letters came from the 1965 Provincial Courthouse built adjacent to City Hall at 4949 Canada Way. This courtroom closed down in 2002.
Category
06.Tools & Equipment for Communication
Classification
Visual Communication T&E - - Visual Communication Accessories
Object Term
Sign, Identification
Marks/Labels
"OUR ROOM" is missing the C and the "T" to finish spelling courtroom.
Colour
Bronze
Measurements
6" in height
Subjects
Building Components
Buildings - Judicial - Courthouses
Government - Provincial Government
Officials - Judges
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

Gavel Pad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90815
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.6
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.6
Description
Varnished and beveled wooden cylinder, used to provide a place to bang a gavel. The top surfaces is dented and scratched with use. There is a small, golden coloured metal plaque nailed into the side of the gavel pad with 2 nails. It reads "Presented to The Corporation of The District of Burnaby / Operation Identification 15-5-78 / by Burnaby Kingsway Rotary Club
Object History
Gavel pad used by Mayor William Copland (1987-1996). William “Bill” Copeland once joked that the reason he ran for mayor of Burnaby was because “there wasn’t a shadow of hope he would be successful” – and when the votes were tallied and he was declared victorious, Bill asked for a recount. Fortunately for the people of Burnaby, he was not serious and instead went on to become an overwhelmingly popular and much-respected leader of the community. Bill’s service to his community began early in life. Born in Vancouver on May 19, 1927, Bill was still a young man when World War Two began but that did not stop him from serving in the Merchant Marines and in the Royal Canadian Navy. After the war, Bill and his wife Ruth raised three children and in 1955 he embarked on a career with the Burnaby Fire Department. Bill went on to serve Burnaby as a firefighter until his retirement in 1987 as an Assistant Fire Chief. During this lengthy tenure, Bill held a leadership role in the Firefighters’ Union Local 323 and served as Vice President of the 6th District of the International Association of Firefighters. Over the years, Bill found various ways to contribute to the people of Burnaby. In conjunction with his work with the Fire Department, Bill was also President of the Burnaby Red Cross, Director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Chairman of the St. John Ambulance, Life Member of the Burnaby North Lions Club and Member of the Deer Lake Chapter of the Rotary Club – to name but a very few of the numerous groups and organizations to which he belonged. Immediately upon his retirement from the Fire Department in 1987, Bill was asked to run for the position of Mayor of Burnaby and was successful in his bid. As Mayor, Bill earned the respect of Council and the citizens of Burnaby for his outstanding work and dedication to the community. Bill was an advocate of public participation and introduced the concept of “Area Advisory Committees” to the City with the appointment of the Hastings Street Advisory Committee. The success of this process has led to many other appointments for area advisory committees throughout Burnaby. Bill did not limit his good works to stay within the borders of the City, and as Mayor he was responsible for the two-year sister city twinning agreement with the city of El Zapotal, El Salvador. This campaign saw the citizens of Burnaby embark on numerous initiatives and fundraisers to offer support and assistance to this developing area. In 1996, Bill retired from public life after serving three terms in office and in 1997, in recognition of Bill’s contribution to the community both as a firefighter and as Mayor, the newly constructed ice arena at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex was officially named the “Bill Copeland Sports Centre,” and in 2001, Bill was made a Freeman of the City. William Copeland died August 30, 2002.
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Ceremonial Artifacts
Object Term
Gavel
Colour
Brown
Gold
Measurements
4 inches in diameter
Subjects
Ceremonial Artifacts
Government - Local Government
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

Gavel Pad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90816
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.7
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.7
Description
Varnished and beveled wooden cylinder, used to provide a place to bang a gavel. The top surfaces is dented and scratched with use.
Object History
Gavel pad used by Mayor William Copland (1987-1996). William “Bill” Copeland once joked that the reason he ran for mayor of Burnaby was because “there wasn’t a shadow of hope he would be successful” – and when the votes were tallied and he was declared victorious, Bill asked for a recount. Fortunately for the people of Burnaby, he was not serious and instead went on to become an overwhelmingly popular and much-respected leader of the community. Bill’s service to his community began early in life. Born in Vancouver on May 19, 1927, Bill was still a young man when World War Two began but that did not stop him from serving in the Merchant Marines and in the Royal Canadian Navy. After the war, Bill and his wife Ruth raised three children and in 1955 he embarked on a career with the Burnaby Fire Department. Bill went on to serve Burnaby as a firefighter until his retirement in 1987 as an Assistant Fire Chief. During this lengthy tenure, Bill held a leadership role in the Firefighters’ Union Local 323 and served as Vice President of the 6th District of the International Association of Firefighters. Over the years, Bill found various ways to contribute to the people of Burnaby. In conjunction with his work with the Fire Department, Bill was also President of the Burnaby Red Cross, Director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Chairman of the St. John Ambulance, Life Member of the Burnaby North Lions Club and Member of the Deer Lake Chapter of the Rotary Club – to name but a very few of the numerous groups and organizations to which he belonged. Immediately upon his retirement from the Fire Department in 1987, Bill was asked to run for the position of Mayor of Burnaby and was successful in his bid. As Mayor, Bill earned the respect of Council and the citizens of Burnaby for his outstanding work and dedication to the community. Bill was an advocate of public participation and introduced the concept of “Area Advisory Committees” to the City with the appointment of the Hastings Street Advisory Committee. The success of this process has led to many other appointments for area advisory committees throughout Burnaby. Bill did not limit his good works to stay within the borders of the City, and as Mayor he was responsible for the two-year sister city twinning agreement with the city of El Zapotal, El Salvador. This campaign saw the citizens of Burnaby embark on numerous initiatives and fundraisers to offer support and assistance to this developing area. In 1996, Bill retired from public life after serving three terms in office and in 1997, in recognition of Bill’s contribution to the community both as a firefighter and as Mayor, the newly constructed ice arena at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex was officially named the “Bill Copeland Sports Centre,” and in 2001, Bill was made a Freeman of the City. William Copeland died August 30, 2002.
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Ceremonial Artifacts
Object Term
Gavel
Colour
Brown
Measurements
4 inches in diameter
Subjects
Ceremonial Artifacts
Government - Local Government
Officials - Mayors and Reeves
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

Interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon July 9, 1975 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory94
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1932-1943
Length
0:07:55
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Charles and May Purdon's memories of the Burnaby government going into receivership. The Purdons discuss their neighbours' jobs and the employment situation at the time.
Date Range
1932-1943
Length
0:07:55
Subjects
Officials - Commissioners
Geographic Access
Edmonds Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July 9, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury July 9, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression and Canadian politics. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
May Eliza was born in London, England in 1907. She came out to Regina with her family when she was eleven. Charles A. Purdon was born February 28, 1904 in London, England. He came to Canada in 1925 from China where he had been working as an accountant for the previous three years. Charles first came to Vancouver and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but within a week he was sent to Regina. This is where he met May. May and Charles got married in 1926 and Charles began working as an accountant for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, then for the Canadian Wool Growers before being laid off. In October of 1930, Charles and May left Regina for Vancouver Island. Charles drove himself out and May rode the train with her children; twin boys and a daughter, only one year apart. They settled at May’s parent’s second house in Coombs. The Purdons arrived in Burnaby in December of 1932 and rented a house on Edmonds Street. Charles was unable to do road work and instead found work through the Liberal Party and also with the Municipal engineers indoors on a number of projects. In 1938 the Purdons were able to get into a reverted house built by Ernie Winch at Maple Avenue (then Jubilee) and Nelson Avenue that had nine bedrooms. They paid ten dollars a month to the municipality for use of this property. May Eliza Purdon died April 6, 1983 at the age of seventy-six.
Total Length
1:40:03
Interviewee Name
Purdon, Charles A.
Purdon, May Eliza
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Charles A. Purdon and May E. Purdon

Less detail

103 records – page 1 of 6.