Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Bellinger family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37460

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-048

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Bellinger family home at 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue), during alteration of the front porch. The workers are unidentified.

Subjects: Construction; Occupations - Labourers; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bellinger, Bernard

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Photos 370-047 and 370-049 show house before and after renovations

Geographic Access: Pearl Avenue

Street Address: 6296 Pearl Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Bellinger family home, [1936 or 1937] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Charles Street

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34195

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 17, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 4200 Block of Charles Street (south) with a house under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 17, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-111

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the 4200 Block of Charles Street (south) with a house under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Charles Street

Images

Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34230

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.7 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue with houses under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: August 1, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.7 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-142

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue with houses under construction and construction workers. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Charles Street; Willingdon Avenue

Images

Charles Street and Willingdon Avenue, August 1, 1947 thumbnail

Construction at 4674 Southlawn Drive

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37892

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1987 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the renovation and construction at 4674 Southlawn Drive, with the front of the house.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1987 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.0 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-480

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the renovation and construction at 4674 Southlawn Drive, with the front of the house.

Subjects: Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Occupations - Labourers

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying; Negative has a pink cast; Copied from col. photograph

Geographic Access: Southlawn Drive

Street Address: 4674 Southlawn Drive

Planning Study Area: Brentwood Area

Images

Construction at 4674 Southlawn Drive, 1987 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Garage construction

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription51756

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1971

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph of two men working on a garage identified as belonging to Sean Pepere. Construction material and debris are visible around the worksite The photograph was most likely taken in the Venables Street area of Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1971

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 483-084

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2008-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of two men working on a garage identified as belonging to Sean Pepere. Construction material and debris are visible around the worksite The photograph was most likely taken in the Venables Street area of Burnaby.

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Johnston, Harold H.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Venables Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Images

House builders

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36832

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [191-] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of house builders outside a partially constructed home.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [191-] (date of original), copied 1992

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 12 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 315-290

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1994-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of house builders outside a partially constructed home.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

House builders, [191-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail

Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34180

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 9, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue with houses under construction on the right side of the street. A man is standing on the roof of one of the houses. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 9, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-097

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue with houses under construction on the right side of the street. A man is standing on the roof of one of the houses. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kitchener Street; Gilmore Avenue

Images

Kitchener Street and Gilmore Avenue, May 9, 1947 thumbnail

Napier Street and Rosser Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34189

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 4, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Napier Street and Rosser Avenue with construction workers working on houses. Completed houses can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: June 4, 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 010-105

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Napier Street and Rosser Avenue with construction workers working on houses. Completed houses can be seen in the background. This is part of the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.

Subjects: Occupations - Labourers; Industries - Construction; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Napier Street; Rosser Avenue

Images

Napier Street and Rosser Avenue, June 4, 1947 thumbnail

Lewis family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35698

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1903 (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 (left to right) Lillie Lewis (sister - later Lillie Porter), William Lewis (father), Evelyn Lewis (sister), and Ernest Lewis (brother) picking strawberries at the side of their house. Note the apple trees all around. The other people in the picture are unidentified hired help.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1903 (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.: 204-556

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of (left to right) Lillie Lewis (sister - later Lillie Porter), William Lewis (father), Evelyn Lewis (sister), and Ernest Lewis (brother) picking strawberries at the side of their house. Note the apple trees all around. The other people in the picture are unidentified hired help.

Subjects: Occupations - Agricultural Labourers; Agriculture - Fruit and Berries; Occupations - Farmers; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: Lewis, Ernest; Lewis, Evelyn; Lewis, William; Porter, Lillie Lewis

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Cooksley, William Thomas

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: 4th Street; 18th Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Second Street Area

Images

Lewis family, 1903 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57733

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

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 British Columbia Electric Railway Company labourers constructing the Hastings Streetcar line extension along Hastings Street at Holdom. The Dunsford House, home of the Holdom family is visible on the left along with a wooden plank roadway and sidewalk, with the Holdom family standing …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913

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.: 487-031

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2008-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of British Columbia Electric Railway Company labourers constructing the Hastings Streetcar line extension along Hastings Street at Holdom. The Dunsford House, home of the Holdom family is visible on the left along with a wooden plank roadway and sidewalk, with the Holdom family standing on their front porch. Walter Holdom built Tea Rooms (partially visible on the far left) on his property to entertain prospective real estate buyers. This photograph was taken looking east towards Burnaby Mountain.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Transportation - Rail; Occupations - Railroad Labourers; Geographic Features - Roads

Names: British Columbia Electric Railway Company

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Phillips, James William "Jim"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Howard Avenue; Hastings Street

Street Address: 5206 Hastings Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Construction of the Hastings Streetcar line extension, 1913 thumbnail

Irvine house being installed

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1877

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 6, 1975

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Men surround the house as it sits on a gooseneck trailer stationed inside a fence.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Series: Heritage Village Museum exhibits and artifacts series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). Men surround the house as it sits on a gooseneck trailer stationed inside a fence.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Irvine, Tom; Burnaby Village Museum

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Drive

Accession Code: BV005.14.31

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: April 6, 1975

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 11-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"

Images

Irvine house being installed

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1878

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 6, 1975

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). The house is raised on a cribbing and surrounded by workmen. A truck parked next to it has a sign that reads, "L.W. ZEBIAK HOUSE RAISING COMPLETE BASEMENTS."

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Series: Heritage Village Museum exhibits and artifacts series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house during its installation at Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). The house is raised on a cribbing and surrounded by workmen. A truck parked next to it has a sign that reads, "L.W. ZEBIAK HOUSE RAISING COMPLETE BASEMENTS."

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Tools and Equipment; Transportation - Trucks; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Irvine, Tom; Burnaby Village Museum

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Drive

Accession Code: BV005.14.32

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: April 6, 1975

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 11-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"

Images

Irvine house being moved

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1873

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: April 6, 1975

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house being moved to Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). A truck pulls the house along the lane at the same time as workers prune the trees in effort to clear the road side (allowing the house to pass through).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Century Park Museum Association fonds

Series: Heritage Village Museum exhibits and artifacts series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Tom Irvine's house being moved to Heritage Village (now the Burnaby Village Museum). A truck pulls the house along the lane at the same time as workers prune the trees in effort to clear the road side (allowing the house to pass through).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Transportation - Trucks; Occupations - Labourers

Names: Irvine, Tom

Accession Code: BV005.14.27

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: April 6, 1975

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 11-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "April/75"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads:

Images

Irvine house being moved, April 6, 1975 thumbnail

Louis Claude Hill's Strawberry Farm, Burnaby BC

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription991

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1902

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on grey card 15.0 x 20.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of immigrant workers in the field picking strawberries on the farm belonging to Claude Hill. On the left, the Hill family home, Brookfield, can be seen. Claude Hill's daughter, Kitty Hill, is sitting on the steps of the house. The property is the current site of the Burnaby Village Muse…

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 12.8 x 17.7 cm mounted on grey card 15.0 x 20.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of immigrant workers in the field picking strawberries on the farm belonging to Claude Hill. On the left, the Hill family home, Brookfield, can be seen. Claude Hill's daughter, Kitty Hill, is sitting on the steps of the house. The property is the current site of the Burnaby Village Museum.

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Occupations - Agricultural Labourers; Agriculture - Fruit and Berries; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Persons - Chinese Canadians

Accession Code: HV973.40.5

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1902

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-05-09

Scale: 100

Photographer: Cooksley, William Thomas

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph; Inscribed on the negative and (therefore) printed on recto of photograph reads: "L.C. Hill's Strawberry Farm, Burnaby, B.C." and "W.T. Cooksley, New Westminster, B.C."; Note written in red pencil on the card reads: "1902 - Grandview H.WAY"

Images

Louis Claude Hill's Strawberry Farm, Burnaby BC, 1902 thumbnail

Three men in front of newly constructed house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3084

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [190-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men in work clothes standing in front of a large two storey house that appears to be newly constructed.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w glass negative

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men in work clothes standing in front of a large two storey house that appears to be newly constructed.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses; Occupations - Labourers

Accession Code: HV973.110.15

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [190-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 300

Scan Date: 16/8/2006

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w contact print accompanying negative

Images

Three men in front of newly constructed house, [190-] thumbnail

Bert Porter on a steamroller

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34830

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1919] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bert Porter with a municipal steamroller on Douglas Road. He worked many years operating a steam roller for the municipality, flattening out gravel streets after grading, and was the husband of Lillie Lewis Porter.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1919] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Lewis family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 140-011

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1985-10

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bert Porter with a municipal steamroller on Douglas Road. He worked many years operating a steam roller for the municipality, flattening out gravel streets after grading, and was the husband of Lillie Lewis Porter.

Subjects: Construction Tools and Equipment; Occupations - Labourers; Occupations - Civic Workers; Construction - Road Construction

Names: Porter, Bert

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Douglas Road

Images

Bert Porter on a steamroller, [1919] (date of original), copied 1985 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

Bill Speirs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35318

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1929 (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 Bill Speirs operating a steam shovel for the municipality of Burnaby. Here he is working on the roads around Gilley Avenue and Imperial Street (formerly Windsor Street).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1929 (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.: 204-175

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Bill Speirs operating a steam shovel for the municipality of Burnaby. Here he is working on the roads around Gilley Avenue and Imperial Street (formerly Windsor Street).