99 records – page 1 of 5.

postcard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact45377
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV003.18.1
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV003.18.1
Description
Postcard: colour aerial photo of Simon Fraser University; horizontal; on reverse in black, "SFU" "SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY" "BURNABY 2 / BC / CANADA," "Aerial Looking East" "FC 129"; horizontal lines above and below print; borders around left and right sides divide card in half horizontally; along bottom left, "Photo: Fred Thompson" "MADE IN CANADA BY EVERGREEN PRESS LIMITED", "FIDELITY PRESS" and logo; at upper right of right side, "STAMP" with line above and below; lightly soiled, some wear on corners, including crease at upper left of photo side; unused
Category
06.Tools & Equipment for Communication
Classification
Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
Object Term
Postcard
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts
Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Buildings
Buildings - Schools
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

double bit axe head

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact45469
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV003.28.3
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV003.28.3
Description
This split, double bitted, utility axe head was found on Burnaby Mountain by Alfred Bingham in 1920. Mr Bingham bought property on the West side of the mountain in 1920. The axe head is double bladed. The head is very rusty and has been cracked across one side. The remains of the handle are still in the axe eye.
Object History
The axe head was found on the site of Simon Fraser University (SFU), an area logged in the early years of the 20th Century by Gilley Logging. The axe may have been broken by one of their loggers.
Reference
Note from Alfred Bingham, original in accession file. "THIS AXE HEAD WAS FOUND IN 1920 / BY ALFRED BINGHAM ON THE PRESENT SITE / OF THE SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY. IT PROBABLY / WAS USED BY AN EARLY LOGGER. WHO CUT DOWN / SOME OF THE GREAT TREES THAT GREW ON / BURNABY MOUNTAIN. HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO. MANY OF THESE TREES WERE OVER 800 YEARS OLD / Alfred Bingham " hand written in ink on one face of note. "I bought 5 acres of stump land on the / corner of Sherlock, Duthie, & Kitchener Streets in / 1920. & cleared 2 acres & bilt small home, (store?) / my wife and I have lived in Burnaby continually since then / AB" hand written in ink on the reverse face of the note.
Marks/Labels
"1920 FOUND ON BURNABY MTN SITE S.F.U.", written in yellow chalk on one face of the axe head
Subjects
Industries - Forestry
Woodworking Tools and Equipment
Industries - Logging/lumber
Names
Gilley Brothers Logging Company
Simon Fraser University
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47217
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.50.23
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.50.23
Description
Pin; blue, gold, red, white; "Simon Fraser University" "Alumni" "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Personal Symbols
Object Term
Insignia
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / Alumni / Nous.Sommes.Prets
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Education
Symbols
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47440
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.52
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.52
Description
Pin, blue and silver; "Simon Fraser University" "KW" "1981. Keith.Watts 2001"
Object History
Keith Watts served as the SFU men’s soccer head coach for 20 years from 1981 to 2001. Commemorative pin for the service of Keith Watts (presumably upon his retirement).
Reference
https://athletics.sfu.ca/hof.aspx?hof=43&mobile=skip
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Documentary Artifacts - - Memorabilia
Object Term
Commemorative
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / KW / 1981.Keith.Watts 2001
Subjects
Adornment
Sports - Soccer
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47441
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.53
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.53
Description
Pin; white, gold, red, and blue; "Simon Fraser University"; coat of arms
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Personal Symbols
Object Term
Insignia
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47442
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.54
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.54
Description
Pin; white, gold, red, and blue; "Simon Fraser University"; coat of arms; motto on scroll, "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Personal Symbols
Object Term
Insignia
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / Nous.Sommes.Prets
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47444
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.56
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.56
Description
Pin; white, gold, red and blue; "Simon Fraser University" "Alumni"; coat of arms
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Personal Symbols
Object Term
Insignia
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47445
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.57
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV004.85.57
Description
Pin; white, gold, red and blue; "Simon Fraser University" "Honor Roll"; coat of arms, motto "Nous.Sommes.Prets"
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Personal Symbols
Object Term
Commemorative
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / Honor Roll / Nous.Sommes.Prets
Subjects
Adornment
Adornment - Lapel Pins
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
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postcard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48611
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.41.5
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.41.5
Description
Postcard: colour west-facing aerial photo of Simon Fraser University buildings and parking lot; horizontal; on reverse in black, "SFU" and "SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY" "BURNABY 2 / BC / CANADA" "Aerial Looking West" "FC 54", lines above and below; borders divide card into halves horizontally; in left at bottom, "Photo: Chris Hildred" "MADE IN CANADA BY EVERGREEN PRESS LIMITED" "FIDELITY COLOUR" and logo; at upper right, "STAMP", line above and below; unused
Category
06.Tools & Equipment for Communication
Classification
Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
Object Term
Postcard
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / Burnaby 2/BC/Canada / Aerial View Looking West
Maker
Evergreen Press Limited
Country Made
Canada
Title
Simon Fraser University FC 54
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts
Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Buildings
Buildings - Schools
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
Less detail

postcard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact89429
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV014.30.4
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV014.30.4
Description
Postcard; colour; four images; 1. view of Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake from Metrotown; 2. Academic quadrangle, Simon Fraser University; 3. Burnaby Village Museum blacksmith shop; 4. Burnaby Mountain golf course; text in black on front reads: "Burnaby British Columbia / The centre of it all!"; text in brown on back reads: "A / Traveltime / PRODUCT", "Majestic / POST CARD".
Object History
Postcard collected by Donald "Don" Wrigley.
Category
06.Tools & Equipment for Communication
Classification
Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
Object Term
Postcard
Maker
Lawson Packaging Pacific
Country Made
Canada
Province Made
British Columbia
Site/City Made
Vancouver
Subjects
Written Communication Tools and Equipment
Names
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Less detail

Album page

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90367
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.54.662
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.54.662
Description
Album page with flier and two notices. flier: red ink and photograph on brown card stock 28 x 21.5cm "Pacific Centennial Invitational Swim Meet January 30th & 31st 1971 / Simon Fraser University Pool..."; Notice: black and white copy on cartridge paper 23 x 15.5 cm with heading "--WELCOME--" and signed by The Burnaby Tyees Swimming Club Meet Director W.D. (Don) Purvis for Pacific Centennial Invitational Swim Meet January 30th & 31st 1971; Notice: black and white copy printed on cartridge paper 11 x 21.5 cm "THE BURNABY TYEES SWIMMING CLUB ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS... THE BURNABY CENTENNIAL '71 COMMITTEE..."
Object History
Album page 134 from Don Copan album/scrapbook for Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations
Don Copan was an active member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee and later became the founding President of the Century Park Museum Association. While a member of the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee, Don created a scrapbook album of photographs and ephemera documenting the Burnaby Centennial ’71 Committee’s involvement in celebrating British Columbia’s Centenary of Confederation between January and December 1971 including Burnaby’s Commemorative Project – Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum).
Reference
Photographs from the Don Copan scrapbook/album are described as part of the Donald Copan collection - Copan Album series
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
Object Term
Leaflet
Correspondence
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Celebrations - Centennials
Names
Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee
Images
Less detail

Pendant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact90870
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.22
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV020.40.22
Description
Gold (10K) rectangular pendant, with rounded edges. "BAE" is engraved in cursive on the front, standing for Blyth Alfred Eagles. On the back in cursive reads "From Grandma Tidy on occasion of matriculation 1918." A small hoop is at the top for threading through a neckalce or other chain.
Object History
Blythe Eagles's paternal grandparents, Charles and Maude Eagles, immigrated to New Westminster in 1887. Blythe and Violet Eagles purchased property at Deer Lake in 1929 and began construction of their home shortly before their marriage on June 25, 1930.Violet was an enthusiastic amateur gardener, maintaining and continually developing the garden. The Eagles were active volunteers in the local community as well as at UBC. When Simon Fraser University opened in Burnaby, they became well-known for entertaining dignitaries and special guests of the university in their lavish garden. After Violet's death in 1993, the estate was sold to the City of Burnaby.
Category
03. Personal Artifacts
Classification
Adornment - - Body Adornments
Object Term
Pendant
Colour
Bronze
Measurements
1" h x 3/4" w
Subjects
Ceremonial Artifacts
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Less detail

booklet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact91128
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV011.44.11
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV011.44.11
Description
guide booklet; glossy cover in black with colour photographs; stapled binding; pages within numbered 2-15 include colour photographs and maps. Front cover title reads "Burnaby / & surrounding area. / BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA" with a Canadian flag to the left of title and a grid of five colour photographs below including aerial view of Burnaby looking north from Deer Lake, Simon Fraser University, aerial view of Burnaby Mountain, Heritage Village Museum and a view of people beneath trees in a Burnaby park. Inside cover, page 2, includes "FACTS / ABOUT / BURNABY"; centre page includes map of Burnaby; page 12 includes map of British Columbia and the eastern section of Vancouver Island; page 13 title reads "SUGGESTED / SIDE TRIPS / FROM BURNABY". Back cover of booklet includes colour photograph of Burnaby Art Gallery and brief summary about Burnaby.
Object History
Published as a tourist brochure of tourist sites in and around Burnaby including Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) on page 4. Collected by Century Park Museum Association and Heritage Village as part of their promotional materials.
Category
08. Communication Artifacts
Classification
Documentary Artifacts - - Other Documents
Object Term
Pamphlet
Measurements
23 cm x 20.5 cm
Maker
Mainland Southwest Tourist Association
Country Made
Canada
Province Made
British Columbia
Site/City Made
Vancouver
Title
Burnaby and surrounding area
Publication Date
[1978]
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Booklets
Industries - Tourism
Names
Burnaby Village Museum
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Images
Less detail

Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
[1932]-1936
Length
0:11:12
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
Date Range
[1932]-1936
Photo Info
Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
Length
0:11:12
Names
Darling, Gordon
Phillips, Turnie
Subjects
Organizations
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July / August 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
Total Tracks
9
Total Length
1:17:56
Interviewee Name
O'Brien, Harry
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
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Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 9

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory545
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1970-1990
Length
00:04:50
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s appointment to SFU Senate and his views about the university, and his involvement in other organizations such as Rotary, the Variety Club and Telethon, Burnaby Hospital (with Bill Lewarne), the Restaurant Association, and Vancouver AM Tourism Assoc…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s appointment to SFU Senate and his views about the university, and his involvement in other organizations such as Rotary, the Variety Club and Telethon, Burnaby Hospital (with Bill Lewarne), the Restaurant Association, and Vancouver AM Tourism Association
Date Range
1970-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Length
00:04:50
Names
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Industries - Tourism
Events - Fundraising
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
April 4, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
00:56:44
Interviewee Name
Morin, Severin "Sev"
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
Material Details
Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Migration
Foods
Industries
Persons - Seniors
Religions - Sikhism
Transportation - Taxicabs
Names
Gill, Lachman Singh
Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh
Gill, Prem Kaur
Gill, Mohinder Kaur
Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark
Gill, Sarbjit Kaur
Responsibility
Rajdeep
Accession Code
BV023.16.4
Date
2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4a
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Interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19608
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (84 min., 14 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (62 min., 3 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: July 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:02:03 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph credit: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with "The Bollywood Boyz", Harvinder Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. 00:00:00 – 00:05:26 Gurvinder “Gurv” Sihra and brother Harvinder “Harv’ Sihra introduce themselves, providing details on where they were born and grew up (in Burnaby), names of their parents and provide details on their family history. They describe how their grandparents and other relatives continued to live in Punjab after their father and mother immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s, recall the reasons their parents decided to immigrate and details of their lives before and after arriving in Canada. 00:05:27 – 00:06:46 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe some of their experiences travelling through Vancouver airport and compare their experiences with their mother’s own experiences. Gurvinder and Harvinder describe the layout of the airport and how customs and immigration has changed over time. 00:06:47 – 00:09:21 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide details about their mother, Parveen Sihra. They share information regarding her education in India and how she was unable to get work related to her degree in biology after immigrating to Canada. They convey how she worked in the Burnaby City Hall cafeteria in the 1990’s and how she worked part time in order to take care of her children. They share how their parents were proud Canadians participating in events inside and outside the South Asian community and were both fluent in English but often spoke Punjabi at home. 00:09:22 – 00:16:06 Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their childhood experiences growing up in Burnaby. They talk about the sports that they were involved with including hockey and Taekwondo, family vacations spent travelling to India and their experiences attending Marlborough Elementary School and Moscrop Secondary School.They describe how they first became interested in watching wrestling and trying it out on their own in their family home. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall their own experiences of discrimination while growing up and playing sports. 00:16:07 – 00:27:37 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect and recall events that lead them to their dream of becoming professional wrestlers. They talk about pivotal events including attending their first live wresting event at GM Place with their father in 1996, beginning their training in Calgary in 2004, travelling across the country to participate in minor wrestling events, wrestling in Rogers Arena in 2017 and 2020 and getting their first call to join WWE. They talk about the support that they’ve had along the way to getting them where they are today and comment on why they want to be wrestlers in the WWE. 00:27:38 – 00:29:25 Gurvinder and Harvinder provide background information on their various wrestling personas and names in the world of professional wrestling including the Singh Brothers and the Bollywood Boyz. 00:29:26 – 00:38:43 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their experiences wrestling in India and the support and expectations of family members in becoming successful. Gurvinder and Harvinder recall and reflect on the experience of being fired from the WWE when cutbacks were made during the COVID pandemic. 00:38:44 – 00:42:53 Gurvinder and Harvinder describe what a day in their lives looks like now. They talk about how they’re still very passionate and focused on their wrestling careers and describe their experiences of having support and enthusiasm from fans and their parents. They talk about travelling across the country to particpate in different wrestling events. 00:42:54 – 00:47:18 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their training regimen including exercise and diet and describe areas in Burnaby where they like to train in gyms and the outdoors. 00:47:19 – 00:49:49 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about neighbourhoods in Burnaby including Metrotown and Deer Lake and how they’ve seen them change over the years. 00:49:50 – 00:54:27 Gurvinder and Harvinder talk about their highest and lowest points in their wrestling careers, highlighting specific events. They talk about the physical stamina it takes for wrestling and compare their sport with the sport of Kabaddi (a contact team sport between two teams originating in India). 00:54:28 – 00:59:01 Gurvinder and Harvinder reflect on what toughness means to them, and what keeps them motivated to do what they do. 00:59:02 – 01:01:31 Gurvinder and Harvinder impart their words of wisdom to younger kids in chasing their passions and dreams and talk about their favourite Bollywood films and actors.
History
Interviewees' biographies: The Bollywood Boyz are a Canadian professional wrestling tag team composed of brothers Gurvinder "Gurv" Sihra (born in 1984) and Harvinder "Harv" Sihra (born in 1987). The pair are best known for their time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where Gurvinder and Harvinder performed under the ring names Sunil Singh and Samir Singh. They were both born and raised in Burnaby by their parents Harjeet and Parveen Sihra and attended Moscrop Secondary School. Gurvinder graduated from Douglas College where he studied criminology and has worked in loss prevention and has a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Harvinder attended Douglas College with studies in history and has worked as a model and an actor. Both Gurvinder and Harvinder Sihra are Sikhs. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Migration
Pandemics - COVID-19
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Religions - Sikhism
Social Issues
Social Issues - Discrimination
Social Issues - Racism
Sports
Sports - Martial Arts
Sports - Wrestling
Sports - Ice Hockey
Travel
Names
The Bollywood Boyz
Sihra, Guvinder "Gurv"
Sihra, Harvinder "Harv"
Sihra, Harjeet
Sihra, Parveen
World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"
Moscrop Secondary School
Marlborough Elementary School
Metrotown
Responsibility
Rajdeep
Geographic Access
Deer Lake Park
Accession Code
BV023.16.12
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1970-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Photographer
World Wrestling Entertainment "WWE"
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks
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postcard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48610
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.41.4
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Accession Code
BV005.41.4
Description
Postcard: colour aerial photo of Simon Fraser University; horizontal; on reverse in navy, "N.W. 49" "SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY" "N. Burnaby (Vancouver), B.C. Canada" "The aerial view shows..."; illustration of R.C.M.P. officer at left; at bottom left, "S-2587"; navy line up centre with "NATURAL COLOR PRODUCTIONS, LTD., VANCOUVER, B.C."; at bottom, "MADE IN CANADA" "GRANT-MANN", logo; at upper right, illustration of mounted R.C.M.P. officer, "POST CARD" "ADDRESS"; large beige stamp at upper right corner, "6" "VINCENT MASSEY 1887-1967" "GOVERNOR GENERAL" "GOUVERNEUR GENERAL" "1952-1959" "CANADA"; round postmark "VANCOUVER B.C." "7 -M" "OCT --" "19-9"; rectangular cancellation "HADASSAH BAZAAR" "P.N.E. SHOWMART" "PURE FOODS BLDG." "OCT.22 - --"; addressed in pencil, "Mr. Russell H. Lane" "Box 898," "High River, Alberta"; message "Tuesday P.M." "Vancouver, B.C." "Oct 14/69" "Looking forward to tomorrow! K"; slight smudging
Category
06.Tools & Equipment for Communication
Classification
Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
Object Term
Postcard
Marks/Labels
Simon Fraser University / N. Burnaby (Vancouver), B.C. Canada
Maker
Natural Color Productions, Limited
Country Made
Canada
Province Made
British Columbia
Site/City Made
Vancouver
Title
Simon Fraser University S-2587
Publication Date
October 14 1969
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts
Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
Buildings
Buildings - Schools
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Names
Simon Fraser University
Images
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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory481
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1965-1990
Length
00:15:42
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
Date Range
1965-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:15:42
Names
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Lamont, Dean
Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill 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 about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track ten of interview with Merrill Gordon

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Interview with Kay Zimmerman by Rod Fowler [February] 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory527
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1960-1970
Length
00:05:10
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Kay Zimmerman’s description of the two established political parties in Burnaby in the 1960’s (NPA and BCA) and the founding of a new nonpartisan political group, the Burnaby Voters Association (BVA). She talks about the issues of interest at that time, includ…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Kay Zimmerman’s description of the two established political parties in Burnaby in the 1960’s (NPA and BCA) and the founding of a new nonpartisan political group, the Burnaby Voters Association (BVA). She talks about the issues of interest at that time, including development pressures, need to represent local community interests, the environment, and plans for a new university on Burnaby Mountain
Date Range
1960-1970
Photo Info
Kay Zimmerman, [1973]. Item no. 231-021
Length
00:05:10
Names
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
Stusiak, Victor V. "Vic"
Burnaby Citizen's Association
Burnaby Voters Association
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Elections
Organizations
Government - Local Government
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
[February] 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Kay Zimmerman, conducted by Rod Fowler. Kay Zimmerman 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 Kay Zimmerman’s political activities in Burnaby and her description of her Lochdale neighbourhood in the 1960s. She provides an excellent overview of the municipal political groups and important political issues in Burnaby from 1960 to 1980. She tells the story about an early and successful political action that convinced her that an individual can make a difference. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Kathleen “Kay” Zimmerman, her husband Gordon and their young son Rick moved to Burnaby from Vancouver in 1960 to a house on Curtis Avenue near Duthie Street (a second son Bruce was born in Burnaby). Kay Zimmerman worked 12 years at Royal Columbian Hospital in the admitting office, then 4 years (1974-1979) as special assistant to Senator Ray Perrault, followed by work as a judge on the Citizenship Court before retiring. Gordon Zimmerman worked at the Shell Refinery. A member of the Liberal Party and political activist before arriving in Burnaby, Kay Zimmerman continued her involvement in national and local politics. She campaigned for Ray Perrault during the Trudeau years, and was a founder and active member of the Burnaby Voters Association (BVA). Her political activities encompassed 30 years that saw major changes in Burnaby, including the building of SFU, creation of Heritage Village, an awakening environmental sensibility, and a dramatic increase in population and development in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
10
Total Length
01:04:36
Interviewee Name
Zimmerman, Kay
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Kay Zimmerman

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99 records – page 1 of 5.