Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Commercial building.

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12771

Enactment Date: 19/04/2010

Description: Commercial building.

Heritage Value: While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.

Locality: Vancouver Heights

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Community: Burnaby

Names: Helen's Childrens Wear

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Street Address: 4142 Hastings Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign at night, 2010 (View from the west. Other). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. . thumbnail

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign from the east, 2013. thumbnail

BBY-4142-Hastings-c1975-502-1441 thumbnail

Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55648

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley holding a rusty and damaged waterline pipe. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-042

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley holding a rusty and damaged waterline pipe. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951."

Subjects: Public Services - Utilities; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Titled based on caption; Note on verso reads: "Sat. / 1951"

Images

Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951, 1951 thumbnail

Burnaby Waterworks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39587

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Engineering Department fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of seven men standing in front of a truck with a sign that reads; "Corporation of Burnaby Waterworks Dept." written on its side.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1950]

Collection/Fonds: Engineering Department fonds

Series: Engineering General and Administration series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20 x 25 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: CBA11

Access Restriction: Open access

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2004-06

Scope and Content: Photograph of seven men standing in front of a truck with a sign that reads; "Corporation of Burnaby Waterworks Dept." written on its side.

Subjects: Public Services - Utilities; Occupations - Civic Workers; Public Services - Public Works

Names: Burnaby Waterworks

Media Type: Photograph

Opening day speeches at Simpsons-Sears

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17266

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 5 May 1954

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of opening day speeches outside of the Simpsons-Sears store with a crowd gathered. Four dignitaries are standing on a stage before the crowd, including Burnaby Reeve, Charles MacSorley (at the microphone) and Manager of Simpsons-Sears, Burnaby, T. Boyd Haskell, standing to his right.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Series: Simpsons-Sears scrapbook series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of opening day speeches outside of the Simpsons-Sears store with a crowd gathered. Four dignitaries are standing on a stage before the crowd, including Burnaby Reeve, Charles MacSorley (at the microphone) and Manager of Simpsons-Sears, Burnaby, T. Boyd Haskell, standing to his right.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Officials; Buildings - Commercial - Department Stores; Events - Openings; Persons - Crowds

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited; Haskell, T. Boyd; MacSorley, Charles W.

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4750 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV021.26.14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 5 May 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was removed from original scrapbook with newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemera

Images

Opening day speeches at Simpsons-Sears, 5 May 1954 thumbnail

Ribbon cutting ceremony for Simpson-Sears

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55637

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles MacSorley cutting the ribbon at the opening of Simpson-Sears. A large crowd is gathered behind him.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-031

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles MacSorley cutting the ribbon at the opening of Simpson-Sears. A large crowd is gathered behind him.

Subjects: Events - Openings; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Persons - Crowds; Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited; MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Sussex Avenue; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Ribbon cutting ceremony for Simpson-Sears, [1954] thumbnail

Central Park Garage Opening

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55614

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of four men on stage in front of a microphone at what is identified by the caption as the "Central Park Garage Opening." Charles MacSorley is standing to the right, but the others are unknown.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-008

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of four men on stage in front of a microphone at what is identified by the caption as the "Central Park Garage Opening." Charles MacSorley is standing to the right, but the others are unknown.

Subjects: Events - Openings; Persons - Crowds; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Sound Communication Tools and Equipment - Microphones

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Central Park Garage Opening, [1955] thumbnail

Charles MacSorley at the Central Park Garage Opening

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55616

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. Two men are standing on the stage with him; one is in a suit, the other is in a uniform.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. Two men are standing on the stage with him; one is in a suit, the other is in a uniform.

Subjects: Events - Openings; Persons - Crowds; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographer's stamp on verso; Note on verso reads: "Station opening file"

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Charles MacSorley at the Central Park Garage Opening, [1955] thumbnail

Drawing a ticket at Central Park garage opening

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55613

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. An unidentified man stands beside him, smiling at the crowd. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Drawing a tickett [sic] at Central…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-007

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley reaching into a large ballot drum to draw a ticket in front of a crowd gathered at Burnaby's Central Park. An unidentified man stands beside him, smiling at the crowd. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Drawing a tickett [sic] at Central Park garage opening."

Subjects: Events - Openings; Persons - Crowds; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Transcribed title; Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Drawing a ticket at Central Park garage opening, [1955] thumbnail

Opening of trunk sewer into Fraser River

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55610

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley standing on the tread of a large machine, with Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) employee Albert Norman standing inside the machine, and Coquitlam Reeve Jimmy Christmas in the driver's seat. The photograph was taken on the occasion of the openi…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley standing on the tread of a large machine, with Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) employee Albert Norman standing inside the machine, and Coquitlam Reeve Jimmy Christmas in the driver's seat. The photograph was taken on the occasion of the opening of the trunk sewer into the Fraser River in 1954. Albert Norman started with GVRD in engineering and construction in 1944 and retired in 1977.

Subjects: Public Services - Sewerages; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Norman, Albert; Christmas, Jimmy

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: LeBlanc, Don

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Photograph by Don Le Blanc"; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Jimmy Christmas + Charles opening of Trunk sewer into Fraser River. 1954"

Images

Opening of trunk sewer into Fraser River, 1954 thumbnail

Reeve and Mrs. Beamish with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55619

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Beamish and his wife (left) walking with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the stage set up at Burnaby Municipal Hall for the 1951 Royal Visit. Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police are standing on either side of the steps to the stage.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-013

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Beamish and his wife (left) walking with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the stage set up at Burnaby Municipal Hall for the 1951 Royal Visit. Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police are standing on either side of the steps to the stage.

Subjects: Events - Royal Visits; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Public Services - Policing; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: Elizabeth II Queen of Great Britain, 1926-2022; Philip, Prince, consort of Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, 1921-; Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on caption; Caption on recto reads: "Reeve Beamish & Mrs B. Queen & Philip Burnaby 1951"; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Reeve and Mrs. Beamish with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1951 thumbnail

School Street Patrol

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55621

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley sitting at a table holding a pen and reading a poster while two unidentified men (one in police uniform) stand behind him. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "School Street Patrol Burnaby."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley sitting at a table holding a pen and reading a poster while two unidentified men (one in police uniform) stand behind him. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "School Street Patrol Burnaby."

Subjects: Public Services - Policing; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Croton Studio Limited

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Images

Municipal Works Yard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34588

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.4 x 23.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Municipal Works Yard with pipes stacked outside and a building in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.4 x 23.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 062-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Municipal Works Yard with pipes stacked outside and a building in the background.

Subjects: Public Services - Public Works; Buildings - Industrial

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory329

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1979

Length: 0:10:35

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.

Date Range: 1930-1979

Photo Info: Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.

Length: 0:10:35

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Public Services - Public Works

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 16, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.

Biographical Notes: Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:43:18

Interviewee Name: Francis, Les

Interview Location: Interviewee's residence

Interviewer Bio: Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burna-Boom Oral History Project series

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Images

Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Les Francis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-010/MSS171-010_Track_3.mp3

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory655

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:12:19

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue and the public tap available there for residents living on Burnaby Mountain. She talks about the City of Vancouver cemetery property. She describes the families and people who live…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the end of municipal water service at Philips Avenue and the public tap available there for residents living on Burnaby Mountain. She talks about the City of Vancouver cemetery property. She describes the families and people who lived on Burnwood (2nd Ave), and the mushroom farm that operated next door to the Seim farm.

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:12:19

Subjects: Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Public Services - Public Works

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Burnwood Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area; Westridge 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 six of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_6.mp3

Burnaby Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35943

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.4 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Burnaby Council in chambers.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.4 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-803

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Burnaby Council in chambers.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: LeBlanc, Don

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36138

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 226-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1989-22

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There is snow on the ground and the three men are wearing winter coats.

Subjects: Transportation - Fire Trucks; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Menzies, William "Bill"; Philps, Fred; Burnaby Fire Department

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dominion Photo Company

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Other title info: photographer's negative no. 38487

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks, [1956 or 1957] thumbnail

Municipal Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55631

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1956 Burnaby Municipal Council in Council Chambers at Burnaby Municipal Hall. Identified in the photograph are (starting at centre, forefront and moving clockwise): Gerald Charlton, Fred Philps, Wesley Morrison, Arnold Hean, Ted Ward (Deputy Municipal Clerk), John Shaw (Municipal…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-025

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 1956 Burnaby Municipal Council in Council Chambers at Burnaby Municipal Hall. Identified in the photograph are (starting at centre, forefront and moving clockwise): Gerald Charlton, Fred Philps, Wesley Morrison, Arnold Hean, Ted Ward (Deputy Municipal Clerk), John Shaw (Municipal Clerk), Reeve Charles MacSorley (in the back), two unkown members of staff, Samuel Hughes, William Philps and Doug Drummond.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Occupations - City Clerks; Occupations - Civic Workers

Names: Charlton, Gerald; Philps, Fred; Morrison, Wesley; Hean, Arnold F.C.; Ward, Ted; Shaw, John Horace "Jack"; MacSorley, Charles W.; Hughes, Samuel E.; Philps, William P.; Drummond, John D. "Doug"

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cunningham, W.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographer's stamp on verso; Notes on verso identify the people in the photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

New Municipal Hall construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55651

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley standing outside the new Municipal Hall building which is under construction.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-045

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley standing outside the new Municipal Hall building which is under construction.

Subjects: Construction; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

New Municipal Hall construction, [1955] thumbnail

Opening of the Royal Bank at Edmonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55611

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley preparing to cut the ribbon to officially open the Royal Bank on Edmonds Street in Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley preparing to cut the ribbon to officially open the Royal Bank on Edmonds Street in Burnaby.

Subjects: Events - Openings; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Buildings - Commercial - Banks

Names: Linden, Charles; MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten note on recto of photograph reads: "opening Royal Bank / Edmonds / Charles Linden / Mangr."; Photographer's stamp on verso; Note on verso reads: "Edmonds Street. Burnaby."