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Edmonds Baptist Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark575
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Church building.
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Walker Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1912
- Description
- Church building.
- Heritage Value
- Beautifully designed in an Arts and Crafts idiom, this church features a textural mix of finishes including lapped siding and stucco and half timbering in the gables. The British Columbian reported in July 1912 that: "The Baptists of Edmonds will possess a fine and well planned church when the building now commenced is ready for occupation. The architects are J.P. Matheson and Son, of Vancouver, and the contractors, Muttitt and Bell, of New Westminster. The entrance porch fronts Edmonds Road and the west side faces Vancouver Road. It will have a capacity for 272 sittings, spacious aisles and choir platform besides various rooms for Baptistery, vestry and robing apartments."
- Locality
- Edmonds
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Richmond Park Area
- Architect
- J.P. Matheson & Son
- Builder
- Muttitt and Bell
- Area
- 1471.58
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Names
- Matheson, John
- Street Address
- 7135 Walker Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Mansion
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark526
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- 'Fairacres' is a large, two-and-one-half storey estate house in the British Arts and Crafts style, located in Deer Lake Park, with four associated original outbuildings.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Henry Tracy & Grace Ceperley Estate
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Henry Tracy & Grace Ceperley Estate
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- 'Fairacres' is a large, two-and-one-half storey estate house in the British Arts and Crafts style, located in Deer Lake Park, with four associated original outbuildings.
- Heritage Value
- 'Fairacres' is important as a record of the early years of Burnaby, specifically the Deer Lake area, as a place of tranquility and beautiful scenery in which the wealthy and successful in the burgeoning cities of New Westminster and Vancouver chose to retire or to make their family homes. The main house, which anchors in style and setting the outbuildings on the estate, demonstrates the social, cultural, and aesthetic values of local wealthy businessmen and women of the early twentieth century - values such as appreciation of architectural elegance and grand interior spaces, leisure and recreation, formal landscaped gardens and scenic views. Also important is the association with the English-born and trained architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), as this was one of his grandest residential commissions. Steeped in the current architectural trends in Great Britain, Fripp designed this sprawling mansion in the Arts and Crafts style, reflected in the architectural detailing and proportions. The style was common at the time and was often used for estate mansions as a symbol of affluence and good, modern taste as well as an affinity for all things British. Quality is displayed inside and out in the finishes and materials, orchestrated by prominent local contractor, James Charles Allen, including imported English materials of specific value such as imported Medmenham tiles in the fireplace surrounds, one of the earliest documented use of these tiles outside the United Kingdom. Detailed features of the interior woodwork were carved by Scottish-born master wood carver George Selkirk Gibson (1867-1942), who was best known for his many commissions for prominent British Columbia architect Samuel Maclure. The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are an important record of the functioning of a large estate of the time. The Garage and Stables and the Chauffeur’s Cottage accommodated the use of automobiles, horses and carriages, and in concert with the estate's location near the new British Columbia Electric Railway 'Burnaby Lake' interurban line, illustrate the evolving nature of regional transportation and the growing bedroom communities and estates made possible by increasing options for transportation. Other outbuildings accommodated the agricultural activities that helped support the Ceperley estate. The estate was conceived and funded by American-born Grace E. Dixon Ceperley (1863-1917), who had achieved significant wealth through a bequest from her brother-in-law, Vancouver pioneer Arthur Ferguson. Her husband, Henry Tracy Ceperley (1850-1929), also American-born, was a successful and well-respected businessman who made a significant contribution to the development of the City of Vancouver. The construction of 'Fairacres' spawned the transformation of the Deer Lake area from a farming community into a preferred location for elite suburban homes. 'Fairacres' is significant to the City of Burnaby as its first civic heritage conservation project. Acquired in 1966 for conversion to Burnaby’s first art gallery, it was dedicated in 1967 to mark Canada’s Centennial of Confederation.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ mansion include its: - setting in relation to the gardens, its former market garden, and the vistas to Deer Lake and other grand homes in the area - side gable roof with prominent dormers and cedar shingle cladding - verandah across the eastern (garden) facade, with its view over the landscaped gardens and the distant mountains - porte cochere with its side steps for those arriving by automobile, and central raised step for those alighting from horse-drawn carriages - rich variety of exterior elements that demonstrate the typical Arts and Crafts use of local materials such as cobble stone chimneys and foundations, wide wooden siding and half-timbering - mixture of double-hung and casement wooden-sash windows, many with multi-paned sash - lavish interior spaces, designed for entertaining on a grand scale, including a billiard room with a beamed ceiling and an inglenook fireplace, and generous living and dining rooms arranged off a central hall - quality of the interior materials such as imported Medmenham tiles in fireplace surrounds, window hardware by Hope and Sons, and leaded stained glass - interior wood work including the staircase, and carvings by George Selkirk Gibson - remaining formal Edwardian garden landscape elements, including the cross-axial plan that reflects the relationship of the mansion to its 'outdoor rooms'
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Function
- Primary Current--Museum
- Primary Historic--Estate
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- City of Burnaby, Visual Art Collection: Original rendering by R.P.S. Twizell Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album Burnaby Village Museum, Collection: Carved dining room panels by G.S. Gibson and other hardware items
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Names
- Ceperley, Grace
- Ceperley, H.T.
- Fripp, Robert Mackay
- Allen, James Charles
- Gibson, George Selkirk
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Chauffeur's Cottage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark529
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the Chauffeur's Cottage is situated across from the main entrance to the Ceperley Mansion, and adjacent to the Garage and Stables. A long, narrow single-storey building, it was constructed by joining together two modest estate cottages.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the Chauffeur's Cottage is situated across from the main entrance to the Ceperley Mansion, and adjacent to the Garage and Stables. A long, narrow single-storey building, it was constructed by joining together two modest estate cottages.
- Heritage Value
- The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917) was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate at the same time as the main house was constructed. The Chauffeur's Cottage illustrates the increasing importance of the automobile in the lives of the wealthy of the early twentieth century. It also demonstrates Grace and Henry Tracy Ceperley's social aspirations and grand-country-estate pretension in having a chauffeur. The cottage's location - close to the garage and convenient, but not adjacent, to the main house - enhances the grand country house landscape design and contributes to the overall composition of the estate's plan. The Arts and Crafts styled Chauffeur's Cottage is important as an indicator of the aesthetic and social sensibilities of the Ceperley family in retaining an architect to design a modest building for staff accommodation.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the 'Fairacres' Chauffeur's Cottage include its: - location, in relation to the main house and in close proximity to the Garage and Stables buildings - side gable roof with cedar shingle cladding - Arts and Crafts architectural features such as the jerkin-headed door hood, a reference to the thatched-roofed cottages of southern England; eight-paned wooden-sash casement windows; and cedar-shingled exterior - two internal brick chimneys - modest, functional interior, with simple trim and lack of pretension
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Function
- Primary Historic--Outbuilding
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album Burnaby Village Museum, Collection: Chinese ‘Tiger Whiskey’ and opium bottles found during restoration
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
Images
H.T. Ceperley Estate 'Fairacres' Garage & Stables
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark530
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Garage and Stables is a two-storey wood frame building located on the 'Fairacres' estate, situated to the north of the Chauffeur's Cottage; at the south end of the structure is a single vehicle garage and to the north are several stable…
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Garage and Stables is a two-storey wood frame building located on the 'Fairacres' estate, situated to the north of the Chauffeur's Cottage; at the south end of the structure is a single vehicle garage and to the north are several stables for carriage, riding, and draught horses, a coach house, and tack room; the upper floor was originally a hay loft.
- Heritage Value
- The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917) was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate at the same time as the main house was constructed. The Garage and Stables building is important as a record of its era when transportation modes were in transition and the horse-drawn carriage, while still in use, was giving way to the automobile. The relative spatial arrangements within the building are a valuable indication of the economy of space associated with the automobile, as compared to the horse. The extent of the stabling arrangements signifies not only the use of carriage horses but also the continued reliance on draught horses in farming activities in this era. As well, it is an indication of the fashionable nature of equestrianism for wealthy families during this time. The building is important as a demonstration of the aesthetics of the Ceperley family in having an architect-designed outbuilding and obtaining craftsmanship and materials of the highest quality for each structure on their estate.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the 'Fairacres' Garage and Stables include its: - location within easy reach of the main house and in close proximity to the Chauffeur's Cottage - floor plan with the garage at one end, close to the Chauffeur's Cottage, and stables and equine facilities at the other - variety and complexity of the roofline, including gable wall dormers, gable-on-hip roof ends, and half-hip extensions - Arts and Crafts architectural features of the exterior such as the shingle wall cladding articulated with a chevron-patterned course of shingles at the first floor level; casement windows; and deep eaves with additional purlins to support the overhang - original stable doors with hand-made forged-iron door hardware - multi-paned wooden-sash windows, some retaining original wire glass
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Robert Mackay Fripp
- Function
- Primary Historic--Outbuilding
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 004-493-311 Legal Description: Block 3 Except: Part subdivided by Plan 26865, District Lot 79, Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Fairacres’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 17,065.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- Burnaby Historical Society, Community Archives: Ceperley Photograph Album
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82571
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows Rosemount Viaduct in Aberdeen, Scotland. Statue on the left is the William Wallace statue. Building to the right is His Majesty's Theatre.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.5 x 13.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-142
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows Rosemount Viaduct in Aberdeen, Scotland. Statue on the left is the William Wallace statue. Building to the right is His Majesty's Theatre.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Postcard on verso reads: "Published by T Lamb, 40, Market Street, Aberdeen"
Images
Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57712
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 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 a Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set with young players in costume. The Canadian Patriotic Fund was established during World War I to provide adequate support and comfort to wives and other dependents of those men who had volunteered their services to their Country. The Governor Genera…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 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.
- 487-016
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set with young players in costume. The Canadian Patriotic Fund was established during World War I to provide adequate support and comfort to wives and other dependents of those men who had volunteered their services to their Country. The Governor General of Canada was President and the Minister of Finance was Treasurer.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57731
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 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 a Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set with adult players in costume and a woman at the piano, off stage. The Canadian Patriotic Fund was established during World War I to provide adequate support and comfort to wives and other dependents of those men who had volunteered their services t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 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.
- 487-033
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a Canadian Patriotic Fund stage set with adult players in costume and a woman at the piano, off stage. The Canadian Patriotic Fund was established during World War I to provide adequate support and comfort to wives and other dependents of those men who had volunteered their services to their Country. The Governor General of Canada was President and the Minister of Finance was Treasurer.
- Subjects
- Recreational Activities - Theatre
- Wars - World War, 1914-1918
- Clothing - Costumes
- Musical Instruments - Pianos
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Gordon Presbyterian Church children
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35108
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.4 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of children from Gordon Presbyterian Church in costume for the play "Tom Thumb's Wedding." They are posed outside Morton Hall (possibly located at Edmonds Street and Humphries Avenue). Identified: Leonard Moxham, bottom row, one from left.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1915] (date of original), copied 1987
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.9 x 12.4 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 193-009
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of children from Gordon Presbyterian Church in costume for the play "Tom Thumb's Wedding." They are posed outside Morton Hall (possibly located at Edmonds Street and Humphries Avenue). Identified: Leonard Moxham, bottom row, one from left.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Edmonds Street
- Humphries Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Theatre stage
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57732
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1910 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 a theatre stage set with adult players in costume, performing. Neither the individuals nor the play are identified.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1910 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.
- 487-032
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a theatre stage set with adult players in costume, performing. Neither the individuals nor the play are identified.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Phillips, James William "Jim"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Names
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 14, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 1:34:40
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3The Campers, Parksville
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66277
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a group of thirteen people posed in front of a tent and holding a pole with a line of fish strung acrossed it. A label accompanying the photograph reads: "The campers, Parksville." Identified in the photograph are, standing (l to r): Francis Peers, Mr. Robert Travers, Mrs. Robert…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-989
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a group of thirteen people posed in front of a tent and holding a pole with a line of fish strung acrossed it. A label accompanying the photograph reads: "The campers, Parksville." Identified in the photograph are, standing (l to r): Francis Peers, Mr. Robert Travers, Mrs. Robert Travers, Mike Peers, unidentified man, Bob Peers, unidentified woman, Betty Peers. Seated in front on the left is Maude Travers, second from the right is Dick Peers, and to his right is Robbie Travers the son of Robert. This photograph was taken while the Peers family and friends were camping in Parksville, Vancouver Island.
- Names
- Peers, Francis J.
- Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"
- Peers, William John "Bob"
- Freebairn-Smith, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Peers
- Peers, Richard Dominic "Dick"
- Travers, Alice
- Travers, Maude
- Travers, Robert
- Travers, Robbie
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
The Campers, Parksville
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66279
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a group of thirteen people posed in front of a tent and holding a pole with a line of fish strung acrossed it. A label accompanying the photograph reads: "The campers, Parksville." Identified in the photograph are, standing (l to r): Francis Peers, Mr. Robert Travers, two women u…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-991
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows a group of thirteen people posed in front of a tent and holding a pole with a line of fish strung acrossed it. A label accompanying the photograph reads: "The campers, Parksville." Identified in the photograph are, standing (l to r): Francis Peers, Mr. Robert Travers, two women unidentified - one is Mrs. Alice Travers, Mike Peers, unidentified man, Bob Peers, Annie Elizabeth Peers, Betty Peers. Seated in front is Maude Travers, second from the right is Dick Peers and to his right is Robbie Travers. This photograph was taken while the Peers family and friends were camping in Parksville, Vancouver Island.
- Names
- Peers, Francis J.
- Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"
- Peers, William John "Bob"
- Freebairn-Smith, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Peers
- Peers, Richard Dominic "Dick"
- Peers, Annie Elizabeth Frisby
- Travers, Robert
- Travers, Alice
- Travers, Maude
- Travers, Robbie
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on caption accompanying photograph
Images
Charlotte Vidal and others in boats
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82495
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1915 and 1934]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 7.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows three women (the middle one identified as Charlotte Vidal) and three unidentified boys. They are in two boats on a lake and some of them are holding crabs.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1915 and 1934]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 7.5 x 11 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-075
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph shows three women (the middle one identified as Charlotte Vidal) and three unidentified boys. They are in two boats on a lake and some of them are holding crabs.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Hopkins Ldg camp
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4583
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1915
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of eight girls/women standing together on a dirt road with trees and brush in the background. They are all dressed in white shirts and bloomers and a few are carrying walking sticks.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Girl Guides fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of eight girls/women standing together on a dirt road with trees and brush in the background. They are all dressed in white shirts and bloomers and a few are carrying walking sticks.
- Subjects
- Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs
- Recreational Activities - Camping
- Recreational Activities - Hiking
- Accession Code
- BV015.35.155
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1915
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Hopkins_Ldg_Camp / 1915 / Edith_Wickham"
Images
Love and Stanley families at Pitt Lake
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19654
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Love and Stanley families together at Pitt Lake. Family members are gathered together on a steep rocky shore while two men are standing on the bow of a boat. The boat and a canoe are tied to the shore with ropes.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Love and Stanley families together at Pitt Lake. Family members are gathered together on a steep rocky shore while two men are standing on the bow of a boat. The boat and a canoe are tied to the shore with ropes.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Transportation - Boats
- Recreational Activities - Boating
- Recreational Activities - Canoeing
- Names
- Love Family
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.76
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [191-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-04-04
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
Images
Members of the Love and Whiting families with fish
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19879
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Love and Whiting families fishing and camping at Boundary Bay. Adults and children are standing together in a line and posing with their catch of fish. Smaller fish are hanging from a stick and three women are holding larger fish. People identified include; Esther Love …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Esther Love Stanley fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of members of the Love and Whiting families fishing and camping at Boundary Bay. Adults and children are standing together in a line and posing with their catch of fish. Smaller fish are hanging from a stick and three women are holding larger fish. People identified include; Esther Love Stanley (far right), Martha "Dot" (Love) Brandrith (third from right), Annie Whiting (second from left) and Edith Whiting (far left). Man standing in the group is identified as Wallace "Flash" Whiting. The group is standing in a clearing in the woods and their is a canvas tent stretched behind trees behind the group.
- Names
- Stanley, Esther Love
- Brandrith, Martha Dorothy “Dot” Love
- Whiting, Annie Elizabeth Love
- Clayton, Edith Annie Whiting
- Whiting Family
- Love Family
- Whiting, Wallace "Flash"
- Accession Code
- BV022.32.301
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [191-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also BV022.32.317
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-05-09
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
Images
Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
- History
- Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Buildings - Industrial - Factories
- Education
- Employment
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Migration
- Occupations - Engineers
- Occupations - Millworkers
- Occupations - Teachers
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Names
- Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
- Kapoor Sawmills Limited
- Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
- Teja, Gurdial Singh
- Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
- Manhas, Ghania Singh
- Singh, Mayo
- Manhas, Kashmir Singh
- Manhas, Sher Singh
- Manhas, Budhan Kaur
- Manhas, Lashman Singh
- Responsibility
- Malik, Anushay
- Rajdeep
- Geographic Access
- Woodsworth Street
- Accession Code
- BV022.29.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Capitol Hill Area
- Related Material
- See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
- Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
- Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Interview with Kalwant Singh
Interview with Kalwant Singh
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0001_003.mp3Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory650
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1904-1940
- Length
- 0:11:22
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s immigration to the USA in 1904 at age 16, his return to Norway and marrying Martine, her parents emigration from Norway to Vancouver in 1930, her father’s purchase of an acre of land on Curtis Street and building a two ro…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about her father’s immigration to the USA in 1904 at age 16, his return to Norway and marrying Martine, her parents emigration from Norway to Vancouver in 1930, her father’s purchase of an acre of land on Curtis Street and building a two room house for the family, Reidun’s birth in 1931, and the family’s move to Curtis Street in 1932. She talks about her childhood memories of playing on a big stump and cedar log in the yard.
- Date Range
- 1904-1940
- Length
- 0:11:22
- Names
- Seim, Sjur
- Seim, Martine
- 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
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Reidun Seim
Track one of interview with Reidun Seim
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_1.mp3M. G. Hill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82537
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-111
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Buildings - Schools
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying photograph
- Note in pencil on album page reads: "M.G. Hill / (4th from right back row)"
Images
M. G. Hill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82538
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1910]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-112
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of one man and five rows of boys. Identified fourth from the right in the back row is Minard G. Hill.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Buildings - Schools
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on note accompanying photograph
- Note in pencil on album page reads: "M.G. Hill / (4th from right back row)"