Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Farrington brothers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35231

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Farrington brothers; Richard and Thomas. Thomas and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [194-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-088

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Farrington brothers; Richard and Thomas. Thomas and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

Subjects: Occupations - Farmers; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Agriculture - Poultry

Names: Farrington, Richard; Farrington, Thomas

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Farrington brothers, [194-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory652

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1934-1990

Length: 0:15:30

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s chicken farm. She describes the farm buildings, other animals on the farm, and how her father operated the chicken farm, especially his approach to keeping the chickens disease free. She also talks about cutting down the …

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s chicken farm. She describes the farm buildings, other animals on the farm, and how her father operated the chicken farm, especially his approach to keeping the chickens disease free. She also talks about cutting down the alder at the back of the property for the chicken run, and building rock walls and a driveway with rocks taken off the property. She also describes how the property was subdivided in the 1980s.

Date Range: 1934-1990

Length: 0:15:30

Subjects: Occupations - Farmers; Animals - Poultry

Geographic Access: Curtis Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: January 13, 2016

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Reidun Seim conducted by Kathy Bossort. Reidun Seim was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Reidun Seim’s memories about her parent’s farm on Curtis Street, events in her childhood, and the people who lived in or visited her neighborhood. She takes us on a tour of her neighborhood in the 1940s, telling us stories about families who lived on Curtis Street on and east of 7300 block, including people who lived on Burnaby Mountain in the old Hastings Grove subdivision above the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue. She describes changes to Curtis Street, particularly after it provided access to Simon Fraser University in 1965. She also talks about her teaching career, and about how she values the green space and conservation area on Burnaby Mountain.

Biographical Notes: Reidun Seim was born in 1931 in Vancouver B.C. to Sjur and Martine Seim. Sjur and Martine Seim emigrated to Canada from Norway in 1930, and after settling in Vancouver, moved to an acre of land and a new home at the base of Burnaby Mountain in 1932. Sjur attended UBC to learn about poultry farming and began his own chicken and egg business in 1935. The farm animals and large garden also contributed to the family’s livelihood and self-sufficiency. The Curtis Street neighborhood was a lively place and extended well up Curtis Street on the west slope of Burnaby Mountain, where Reidun would babysit for families. Reidun attended Sperling Avenue Elementary School (Gr. 1-8), Burnaby North High School, and Vancouver Normal School for teacher training in 1950-1951. She began teaching primary grades in Port Coquitlam at James Park School. Most of her career was spent in North Delta, teaching at Kennedy and Annieville schools from 1954-1958, appointed Primary Consultant (1958-1960) and Primary Supervisor (1960-1985), before retiring in 1986. Reidun lived at home with her parents on Curtis Street, commuting to Delta, and continues to live in the original farmhouse.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 2:35:58

Interviewee Name: Seim, Reidun

Interview Location: Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_3.mp3

Farrington Chicken Ranch

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35226

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Farrington brothers' chicken ranch near Central Park at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue). Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. The laying house is at the left, and the family home is at the right.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-083

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Farrington brothers' chicken ranch near Central Park at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue). Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. The laying house is at the left, and the family home is at the right.

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural; Animals - Poultry; Agriculture - Poultry; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Chesham Avenue

Street Address: 5384 Chesham Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Images

Farrington Chicken Ranch, 1920 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Farrington Laying House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35227

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Farrington brothers' chicken laying house. Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-084

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Farrington brothers' chicken laying house. Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural; Animals - Poultry; Agriculture - Poultry

Names: Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Chesham Avenue

Street Address: 5384 Chesham Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Images

Farrington Laying House, 1920 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Jesse Love feeding chickens

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9956

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1893] (date of original), copied [1988]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jesse Love feeding chickens outside the Love farmhouse which was located on the north east section of District Lot 25, at the corner of Cumberland Road and Fourteenth Avenue. The house was relocated to the Burnaby Village Museum site in 1988 and restored to the 1920s era.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Jesse Love farmhouse series

Subseries: Love family photographs subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. slide ; 35 mm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Jesse Love feeding chickens outside the Love farmhouse which was located on the north east section of District Lot 25, at the corner of Cumberland Road and Fourteenth Avenue. The house was relocated to the Burnaby Village Museum site in 1988 and restored to the 1920s era.

Subjects: Agriculture - Poultry; Animals - Poultry

Names: Love, Jesse, 1849-1928

Geographic Access: Cumberland Street

Accession Code: BV018.41.197

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1893] (date of original), copied [1988]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cariboo-Armstrong Area

Scan Resolution: 2400

Scan Date: 4-Mar-2019

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on content of photograph

Images

Jesse Love feeding chickens, [1893] (date of original), copied [1988] thumbnail

Olive Farrington Barber

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35225

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1928 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Olive Farrington Barber in front of the Farrington brothers' chicken shed. Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1928 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-082

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Olive Farrington Barber in front of the Farrington brothers' chicken shed. Brothers Thomas Farrington and Richard Farrington founded Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch in 1919. It was located at 3907 Chesham Avenue (later renumbered 5384 Chesham Avenue).

Subjects: Agriculture - Poultry; Animals - Poultry; Buildings - Agricultural

Names: Barber, Olive Farrington; Wheat Sheaf Poultry Ranch

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Chesham Avenue

Street Address: 5384 Chesham Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Garden Village Area

Images

Olive Farrington Barber, 1928 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Urquhart family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35288

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1920] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Urquhart menagerie: dog, Fluff; goats Patsy (black) and Corey (white); goose, Mollie, and her goslings, Goosey and Gander; and, miscellaneous ducks and chickens. This photograph was taken at the Urquhart family home, "Rowanlea," located at Griffiths Avenue and Burford Street. Th…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1920] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-145

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Urquhart menagerie: dog, Fluff; goats Patsy (black) and Corey (white); goose, Mollie, and her goslings, Goosey and Gander; and, miscellaneous ducks and chickens. This photograph was taken at the Urquhart family home, "Rowanlea," located at Griffiths Avenue and Burford Street. The house was previously numbered 2674, then changed to 6625, and later 6637 Griffiths Avenue.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Geographic Features - Gardens; Animals - Goats; Animals - Poultry

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Griffiths Avenue

Street Address: 6637 Griffiths Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Urquhart family home, [1920] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Ernest and Frank Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36072

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1920 and 1925]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 6 x 11 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest Street and his son Frank feeding the animals at the family farm on Cumberland Street.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1920 and 1925]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Helen Street subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 6 x 11 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 217-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1989-6

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ernest Street and his son Frank feeding the animals at the family farm on Cumberland Street.

Subjects: Animals - Cows; Animals - Poultry; Agriculture - Farms

Names: Street, Ernest; Street, Frank

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 col. copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: Cumberland Street

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Cariboo-Armstrong Area

Images

Ernest and Frank Street, [between 1920 and 1925] thumbnail

Rintanen sisters

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37218

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1937 and 1945]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 14 x 10 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of sisters; Trudi and Aili Rintanen with pets in their arms. Trudi is holding their bantam rooster, and Aili is holding a cat. The Rintanen family lived on the Burrard Inlet squatters' site known as Crabtown.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1937 and 1945]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Trudi Tuomi subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 14 x 10 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 337-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1996-20

Scope and Content: Photograph of sisters; Trudi and Aili Rintanen with pets in their arms. Trudi is holding their bantam rooster, and Aili is holding a cat. The Rintanen family lived on the Burrard Inlet squatters' site known as Crabtown.

Subjects: Persons - Residents - Squatters; Animals - Cats; Animals - Poultry

Names: Tuomi, Trudi Rintanen; Topalian, Aili Rintanen

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Print is a colour copy of a sepia original

Images

Rintanen sisters, [between 1937 and 1945] thumbnail

Turnbull house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57717

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1912 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a woman sitting and standing on the front steps of George Turnbull's house in the Hastings Grove Subdivision. Three of the individuals have chickens in their hands. More chickens are on and around the stairs, and a dog is standing on the ground with one front paw on the …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1912 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-021

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a woman sitting and standing on the front steps of George Turnbull's house in the Hastings Grove Subdivision. Three of the individuals have chickens in their hands. More chickens are on and around the stairs, and a dog is standing on the ground with one front paw on the second stair.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Animals - Poultry; Animals - Dogs

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Turnbull house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57722

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1912 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a woman sitting and standing on the front steps of of George Turnbull's house in the Hastings Grove Subdivision. The woman has a box of birdseed and is feeding the chickens that are on and around the stairs. A dog is sitting on the stairs next to the woman, with two of …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1912 and 1914]

Collection/Fonds: J.W. Phillips fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative ; 11 x 15.5 cm

Material Details: Emulsion measures 11 x 15.5 cm on the glass; entire glass plate measures 12 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 487-026

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a woman sitting and standing on the front steps of of George Turnbull's house in the Hastings Grove Subdivision. The woman has a box of birdseed and is feeding the chickens that are on and around the stairs. A dog is sitting on the stairs next to the woman, with two of his legs on the lower stair. The man on the left is also holding a small dog in his arms.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Animals - Poultry; Animals - Dogs

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Urquhart family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35294

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [192-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of goats, Patsy and Corey, by the duck pond in the back yard of "Rowanlea," the Urquhart family home built by William Urquhart at Griffiths Avenue and Burford Street. The house was previously numbered 2674, then changed to 6625, and later 6637 Griffiths Avenue.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [192-] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-151

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of goats, Patsy and Corey, by the duck pond in the back yard of "Rowanlea," the Urquhart family home built by William Urquhart at Griffiths Avenue and Burford Street. The house was previously numbered 2674, then changed to 6625, and later 6637 Griffiths Avenue.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Animals - Goats; Animals - Poultry

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Griffiths Avenue

Street Address: 6637 Griffiths Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

Urquhart family home, [192-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Oral history interview with Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19146

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 29 Jun. 2022

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)

Scope and Content: Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, pla…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Series: Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interview series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (02:06:53 min) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (02:06:53 min)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewees: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos Location of Interview: Home of Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos on Victory Street, Burnaby Date of interview: June 29, 2022 Total Number of Tracks: 3 Total length of all Tracks: 02:06:53 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto 3 separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of an audio recording of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos conducted by Denise Fong with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview, Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos discuss; their ancestral background, childhood, places of residence, education, career history, how they met, Jimmy's experience working in the film industry, their home in Burnaby and their neighbourhood, their political activism in Burnaby, Robin Chung Dip's work in Vancouver’s' Chinatown, the gambling scene in Vancouver prior to legalized forms of gambling and their memories of supper clubs in Vancouver. 00:00 - 5:57 Opening introductions where Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos provide information on their full names, their birth places and their ancestral background. Jimmy clarifies that his birth name is Hipman Chow but that he was given the English name “Jimmy” by his father when he came to Canada. Jimmy shares that he was born in 1948, in the Village of Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China and immigrated to British Columbia with his mother, Gim Gee Chow in 1950 to escape the Communist Regime and to join his father who had already immigrated to Canada. Jimmy imparts that many Chinese immigrated to British Columbia in search of a better life, referring to it as “Gold Mountain” and that even though they faced extreme racial discrimination that many stayed since they felt that it was better than returning. Donna Polos shares ancestral information on both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. Donna’s mother’s family came from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James Kostopolus (renamed Polos) emigrated as a 12 year old orphan from Sparta, Greece to the United States but was denied entry so ended up going to Halifax and eventually made his way to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver, he became a restaurant proprietor and over the years, he owned and operated three restaurants in Vancouver, including; “Jimmy’s Café” (next door the Astoria Hotel); “Home Apple Pie Café” (Princess Avenue & Hastings Street) and a restaurant that was located on Alma Street. 05:58 - 13:28 Jimmy recollects in further detail, the many places that his family lived over the years. Jimmy’s father Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Vancouver at the age of 14 years and worked and lived in Victoria and Vancouver. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother fled China, first to Hong Kong and then to Vancouver to join his father. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, for the next four years, he and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec City where his father, Robin had work in restaurants and hotels. Jimmy attended school while the family lived in these different places and began to learn English. After four years, the family returned to Vancouver, first living in areas of Chinatown and Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. Jimmy shares his memories of growing up in Strathcona and the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, schools that he attended and the friendships that he made. Jimmy recollects details about the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church that he attended and describes the demands of the education required to become a Lutheran minister. 13:29 - 15:47 Jimmy tells of how his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow had to pay the Chinese Head Tax of $500 when he arrived in Vancouver at 14 years of age (1921) and how his father had to work hard pay off the head tax over the years. Denise Fong and Jimmy Chow, talk about the origin of a photograph portrait of Jimmy Chow that was taken around 1954 and speculate whether it might have been taken by well known portrait photographer, Yucho Chow. 15:48 - 19:33 Donna Polos recollects the many locations that her family lived while she was growing up in Vancouver. First residing at various locations in the downtown east side of Vancouver before moving to a home near Joyce Station where she lived until 21 years old. After 21 years of age, Donna moved in with roommates in Vancouver before moving in with Jimmy in North Burnaby in 1972. In 1976 Donna and Jimmy purchased their home on Victory Street. Both Donna and Jimmy talk about their careers after high school. Jimmy talks about how he worked at the Supervalu grocery store near his house. Jimmy planned to use his savings from his job to travel but instead he used his savings for a down payment on a house with Donna. Donna imparts that after obtaining her teaching degree she began working in Burnaby schools, eventually teaching at Burnaby South. 19:34 - 32:08 Both Jimmy and Donna share their educational background and experiences growing up. Jimmy first attended Florence Nightingale elementary in Strathcona, then Mount Pleasant Elementary and later high school at 24th Avenue and Main Street. Donna lists the schools that she attended including; elementary school in Strathcona, Carlton Elementary School at Kingsway and Joyce, Windermere High School, Vancouver City College (Langara) and the University of British Columbia. Donna and Jimmy reflect on public transportation that was available during the time they were growing up. Donna recollects her childhood growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station, the freedom that she experienced playing outside in nature and what inspired her to become a teacher. Jimmy reflects on some of his mentors and about his first experience seeing movies as a young child at a cinema in Asquith, Saskatchewan. Donna communicates her own experiences of sexism throughout her high school, college and university education (1968-1972). 32:09 - 36:18 Donna talks about her career history and some of her major turning points. Donna recollects starting out as a Chemistry lab assistant, marking math papers before working as a teacher on call and eventually being hired as a teacher at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. Donna shares a memory of her first experience working as a teacher on call at Gilmore Elementary School and the fire that occurred there. After starting a family (Jimmy and Donna had three children) Donna worked part time teaching while Jimmy worked full time in film. Donna, shares that in 1991, after a near death experience, she became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. With this experience, Donna experimented with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. Donna tells of how she retired from teaching in 2008 but continued to participate in the schools as an Artist in Residence. 36:19 - 58:18 Jimmy talks about his work and career history. He shares memories of his experiences as a young boy delivering newspapers, working at a local pharmacy, stocking shelves at the local supermarket, and his experience working with troubled youth and of how he thought that he might like to become a social worker. Jimmy tells of how he was uncertain of what to do until he got a job with the CBC in 1973 which eventually launched his career as a property master in the film industry, becoming a member of IATSE and a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures. Jimmy describes in detail what it means to be a property master and the work that is entailed in the film industry. 58:19 - 1:07:45 Donna Polos describes her art practice and her connection to Burnaby. Donna recollects how she first started working with textiles and fabrics from a young age and how this later inspired her to develop her own watercolour techniques of painting on paper, canvas and fabrics. Donna describes how she first got started by taking art classes in Burnaby and now has over 31 years of experience working in watercolour. Donna has worked as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools, been a member of the Burnaby Arts Council, had her first show in 1997 and has been involved in many art projects over the years. Donna describes the style of her work, first starting with more figurative work, social commentary and still life and that now most of her work is landscape based. Donna coveys that as a political activist in Burnaby, she was an active participant in the development of a tree bylaw, has petitioned to protect renters from demo-evictions and the impacts of future development on the local environment. 1:07:46 - 1:07:59 Background discussion between Denise Fong and Kate Petrusa re interviews. 1:08:00 - 1:26:36 Jimmy provides information on his connection to the local film industry and the changes that have occurred over the years. Jimmy describes the first studios on the North Shore and the eventual establishment of Bridge Studios on Boundary Road. Jimmy shares that in 1988, he and some of his colleagues in the film industry put a proposal together to buy the Bridge Studios but it didn't go through. Since the Bridge Studios and other film studios have been established in Burnaby and Vancouver, the industry has grown exponentially. Jimmy became the 54th member of the local IATSE union. Jimmy describes some of his experiences working on various productions including "Seven Years in Tibet", provides a description of what a film studio is, how it is used and the differences between working in the film industry in the United States and British Columbia. 1:26:37 - 1:32:46 Jimmy and Donna recollect how they first met, buying a house in Burnaby, getting married and starting a family. The two share memories of their wedding in White Rock and Jimmy talks about the Chinese hair cutting ceremony in recognition of their first born child that took place in Chinatown in Vancouver. Jimmy tells of how his parents had hopes of him marrying a Chinese woman and his mother began introducing him to a few young Chinese women from the time he was 16 years old. Jimmy mentions that his parents rarely used Western Medicine and relied on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Donna and Jimmy talk about Jimmy's parents, when they died and how happy his parents were to have grandchildren. 1:32:47 - 1:40:13 Jimmy and Donna talk about their house on Victory Street which they purchased in 1976. They share information on the history of the house, how it was built in 1939 by Norm Clark, how they fell in love with the design of the house and the neighbourhood. 1:40:14 - 1:58:31 Jimmy and Donna share information on their family life in Burnaby, their neighbourhood and favourite places in Burnaby. Donna lists the schools that their three children attended including; Nelson Avenue School, Burnaby South High School and Burnaby Central High School. Both Donna and Jimmy convey that all of their children played soccer and the benefits that the sport provided them. Donna and Jimmy talk about how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, the benefits of where they live, their fondness for built heritage and the many parks and trees in Burnaby. 1:58:32 - 2:02:50 Jimmy begins to share information on his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow's employment history. Jimmy recalls that his father, Robin worked in a variety of jobs over the years and as a young child, Jimmy was uncertain of what his father's job was but thought that he worked in accounting. He mentions that his father stopped working at 45 years of age due to a problem with his Achilles tendon. Jimmy describes his father as an intellectual who worked at gambling houses in Vancouver's Chinatown where people played mah-jong and fan-tan. Jimmy recollects that these were large clubs with lots of employees. His father never gambled but he was good with money so he worked on the management side. Jimmy mentions that while working in the film industry, his father took him and some of his film colleagues into some of the gambling houses in Chinatown to assist them with a production that they were working on. 2:02:51 - 2:06:58 Donna shares her own family history regarding gambling. She mentions that her uncle worked as a high end "bookie" in Vancouver and how in 1968, her uncle was arrested but got let go with just a small fine. Jimmy describes what gambling was like in those days with various sweepstakes, not under the jurisdiction of the government like it is today. Both Donna and Jimmy recollect the popularity of supper clubs their memories of Vie's Chicken and Steak House that was located in Hogan's Alley. Jimmy laments the destruction of Hogan's Alley and the other proposals that were brought forward that would change Chinatown and Strathcona.

History: Interviewees biography: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow immigrated to Vancouver from China with his mother, Gim Gee Chow to join his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow who'd immigrated to Canada at 14 years of age in 1921. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec before returning to Vancouver around 1954. Jimmy and his family then lived and worked in Vancouver eventually settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. In the early 1970s, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos and they married in 1981. Donna Polos was born in 1949 to Donald James Polos and Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana Polos and grew up in Vancouver. Between the age of 5 and 21 years, Donna lived in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. In 1976, Jimmy and Donna purchased and moved into a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they still live today. While living on Victory Street, they've raised their three children. Donna received her teaching degree and taught in elementary schools for many years. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna developed an interest in drawing and painting and began experimenting with water colour painting on fabric. Donna has since exhibited her work widely, participated as an Artist in Residence in Burnaby schools and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jimmy entered the film industry in 1973, gaining experience and recognition as a property master and has worked on many films over a 45 year career. Interviewer biography: Denise Fong is a historical researcher at Burnaby Village Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology (BA) and Archaeology (MA), and is completing her doctoral degree at UBC in Interdisciplinary Studies. Her primary research interests are in Chinese Canadian history and critical heritage studies. She is the co-curator of BVM’s “Across the Pacific” exhibition, and the Museum of Vancouver’s “A Seat at the Table – Chinese Immigration and British Columbia”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Buildings - Residential; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Education; Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Government - Local Government; Industries - Film; Migration; Occupations; Occupations - Artists; Occupations - Grocers; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Teachers; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Social Issues - Racism; Sports - Soccer

Names: Bridge Studios; Chow, Gim Gee Dang; Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"; Chow, Robin Chung Dip; Polos, Donna; Polos, James "Jimmy", 1898-1962; Polos, Donald James; Polos, Mayme "May" Helen Tilikana

Geographic Access: Victory Street

Accession Code: BV022.21.1

Date: 29 Jun. 2022

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of recording; Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.

Images

Audio Tracks

Oral history interview with Hipman

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0021_0001_004.mp3

At MacMillan's Chicken Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1443

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1915]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man sitting on grass and feeding baby chicks from his hand. There is an inverted wooden box behind the chicks that has the name "EDWARDSBURG STARCH" printed on the side. In the background are a chicken wire fence, two barrels, and a shed. The inscription on the photogr…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w

Material Details: inscribed in black ink, verso, t. "At MacMillan's/ Chicken Farm"

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified man sitting on grass and feeding baby chicks from his hand. There is an inverted wooden box behind the chicks that has the name "EDWARDSBURG STARCH" printed on the side. In the background are a chicken wire fence, two barrels, and a shed. The inscription on the photograph identifies the location as "MacMillan's Chicken Farm". Further location or information about the farm is not known.

Subjects: Animals - Poultry; Agriculture - Farms

Accession Code: BV985.5818.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1915]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-02-27

Images

At MacMillan's Chicken Farm, [1915] thumbnail

Boat in Burrard Inlet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79431

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 7, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a small tugboat in the Burrard Inlet with seagulls in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 7, 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 23 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-0377

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2012-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of a small tugboat in the Burrard Inlet with seagulls in the background.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Inlets; Animals - Poultry

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Blissett, Rebecca

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in black ink on recto of photograph reads: "Bby 36% pg 2 / 1995 - Bby - Rebecca"; Trim marks and/or reproduction instructions on recto (scan is cropped)

Images

Boat in Burrard Inlet, August 7, 1996 thumbnail

Brown Family and Home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35673

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Brown family feeding chickens. From left: Alex Brown (brother, later to become MD), Janet Brown (sister), and Janet Mackintosh Macfarlane Maclean (grandmother). This photograph was taken in back of the Brown family home, 3846 Triumph, Vancouver Heights. The house was owned by t…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-531

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Brown family feeding chickens. From left: Alex Brown (brother, later to become MD), Janet Brown (sister), and Janet Mackintosh Macfarlane Maclean (grandmother). This photograph was taken in back of the Brown family home, 3846 Triumph, Vancouver Heights. The house was owned by the grandmother.