Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Duncan & Margaret McGregor Estate 'Glen-Lyon' New Haven Barn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark852

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Designed in a vernacular architectural style, the New Haven Barn is a large gambrel-roofed barn located on the Edwardian era McGregor Estate 'Glen-Lyon,' overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain and near a ravine and forested area adjacent to Marine Drive in South Burnaby.

Associated Dates: 1939

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Home of the Friendless, New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders, New Haven Correction Centre

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Home of the Friendless, New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders, New Haven Correction Centre

Geographic Access: Marine Drive

Associated Dates: 1939

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12183

Enactment Date: 11/12/2006

Description: Designed in a vernacular architectural style, the New Haven Barn is a large gambrel-roofed barn located on the Edwardian era McGregor Estate 'Glen-Lyon,' overlooking the rich farmland of the Fraser River floodplain and near a ravine and forested area adjacent to Marine Drive in South Burnaby.

Heritage Value: The site is historically significant for its association with early social welfare and correctional reform. The estate was sold in 1926 to an inter-denominational religious organization called the Home of the Friendless, which used it as their B.C. headquarters. The organization was charged with several cases of abuse and neglect in 1937, after which a Royal Commission was formed that led to new legislation to regulate and license all private welfare institutions. 'Glen-Lyon' was sold to the provincial government, and was dedicated in 1939 by the Lt.-Gov. E.W. Hamber for use as the New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders (later renamed the New Haven Correction Centre). The Borstal movement originated in England in the late nineteenth century, as an alternative to sending young offenders and runaways to prisons by providing reformatories that focused on discipline and vocational skill. This site’s role as the first North American institution devoted to the Borstal School philosophy was historic, and influenced corrections programs across Canada. The New Haven Barn is a significant feature from its development in 1939 as the Borstal School, designed by Chief Provincial Architect Henry Whittaker of the Department of Public Works, and is the only remaining structure of its kind in Burnaby.

Defining Elements: Key elements that define the heritage character of the New Haven Barn include its: - gambrel-roofed barn with roof vent with finial, sliding hay loft and access doors, small multi-pane windows, and lapped wooden siding

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Organization: Home of the Friendless; Borstal School; New Haven Correction Centre

Architect: Henry Whittaker

Function: Primary Historic--Estate

Community: Burnaby

Cadastral Identifier: 003-004-661

Boundaries: 'Glen-Lyon' is comprised of a single residential lot located at 4250 Marine Drive, Burnaby.

Area: 230873.18

Contributing Resource: Building

Ownership: Private

Names: Whittaker, George; New Haven Borstal Home for Boys and Youthful Offenders; New Haven Correction Centre; Borstal School

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Public - Detention Facilities; Buildings - Agricultural

Street Address: 4250 Marine Drive

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the New Haven Barn, 2013.. Oblique view. thumbnail

Exterior view of the New Haven Barn, 1985 (View from the north. Exterior Photo). Copyright: Windows to Burnaby's Past, Burnaby Historical Society. thumbnail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.

Date Range: 1936-1990

Length: 00:04:34

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - Archives; Buildings - Civic - Museums

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_7.mp3

Interview with Reidun Seim by Kathy Bossort January 13, 2016 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory654

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:09:51

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Reidun Seim talking about the families and the vineyard and apple orchard on Aubrey Street. She tells stories about picking wild blackberries near Aubrey and raspberries grown on her parent’s farm, and about her mother’s large garden and kale grown for chicken feed.

Date Range: 1930-1950

Length: 0:09:51

Subjects: Geographic Features - Neighbourhoods; Geographic Features - Gardens; Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Geographic Access: Aubrey Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: January 13, 2016

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

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

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 2:35:58

Interviewee Name: Seim, Reidun

Interview Location: Burnaby City Hall in the Law Library

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

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Reidun Seim

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-017/MSS196-017_Track_5.mp3

Barn book

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4912

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Author: Beatty Bros Limited

Publication Date: c1931

Call Number: 631 BEA

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV991.45.136

Call Number: 631 BEA

Author: Beatty Bros Limited

Place of Publication: London

Publisher: Beatty Bros., Ltd.

Publication Date: c1931

Series: Book (Beatty Bros., Limited), no. 11

Physical Description: 334 p. : ill. : 25 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Barns; Farm buildings; Dairying; Stables; Catalogs

Subjects: Buildings; Buildings - Agricultural; Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Agriculture; Agriculture - Dairy

Names: Oakalla Prison Farm

Object History: Salvaged from Oakalla Prison site in October 1991

Notes: Includes index.

Nicholson Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38258

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 15.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph looking over a field toward a house and barn identified as E.W. Nicholson's Broadway Jersey Ranch.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 15.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 375-020

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Photograph looking over a field toward a house and barn identified as E.W. Nicholson's Broadway Jersey Ranch.

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Agriculture - Crops; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption; A note on the back of the photograph reads: "Our farm home - Broadway Jersey Ranch 1993. 3704 Boundary Road at G.N.Ry Crossing Burnaby BC. Property occupied and owned by E.W. Nicholson from May 23, 1900 to Sept. 29, 1951. Property sold to Link-Belt Co. in 1951."

Geographic Access: Boundary Road

Street Address: 2550 Boundary Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Towards Nicholson Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38256

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph looking over a field towards a house and barn in the background. The farm has been identified as that belonging to E.W. Nicholson of the Broadview district.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 375-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Photograph looking over a field towards a house and barn in the background. The farm has been identified as that belonging to E.W. Nicholson of the Broadview district.

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Agriculture - Crops; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption.; A note on the back of the photograph reads: "Haying time on farm of E.W. Nicholson."

Geographic Access: Boundary Road

Street Address: 2550 Boundary Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

Fire Department at Fire Hall No. 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35199

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1934 (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 Burnaby fire department trucks and firefighters, in front of fire hall No. 2. Note the old Burnaby Municipal Hall on the left.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1934 (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.: 204-056

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby fire department trucks and firefighters, in front of fire hall No. 2. Note the old Burnaby Municipal Hall on the left.

Subjects: Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Transportation - Fire Trucks; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls

Names: Burnaby Fire Department; Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7252 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Fire Department at Fire Hall No. 2, 1934 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Eagles garden and house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37187

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of five people standing in front of the Eagles' front door, at the Eagles Estate.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [193-] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Eagles family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 331-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1996-21

Scope and Content: Photograph of five people standing in front of the Eagles' front door, at the Eagles Estate.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Sperling Avenue

Street Address: 5655 Sperling Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Eagles garden and house, [193-] (date of original), copied 1996 thumbnail

Eagles house and landscaping

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37192

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1939] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles standing outside of their house with two other couples.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1939] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Eagles family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 331-010

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1996-21

Scope and Content: Photograph of Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles standing outside of their house with two other couples.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage

Names: Eagles, Dr. Blythe; Eagles, Dr. Violet

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Sperling Avenue

Street Address: 5655 Sperling Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Eagles house and landscaping, [1939] (date of original), copied 1996 thumbnail

Violet Eagles in the garden

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37188

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1939] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Violet Eagles standing in the garden at the Eagles Estate with a another woman and a child and a dog.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1939] (date of original), copied 1996

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Eagles family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 17 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 331-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1996-21

Scope and Content: Photograph of Violet Eagles standing in the garden at the Eagles Estate with a another woman and a child and a dog.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage; Animals - Dogs

Names: Eagles, Dr. Violet

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Sperling Avenue

Street Address: 5655 Sperling Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Violet Eagles in the garden, [1939] (date of original), copied 1996 thumbnail

Violet Eagles outside her home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38323

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9 cm + 1 b&w negative ; 6 x 5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Violet Eagles and a friend standing on the lower lawn in front of the Eagles' estate at Deer Lake.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Eagles family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 9 cm + 1 b&w negative ; 6 x 5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 404-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2000-4

Scope and Content: Photograph of Violet Eagles and a friend standing on the lower lawn in front of the Eagles' estate at Deer Lake.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residential - Houses; Buildings - Heritage

Names: Eagles, Dr. Violet

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Geographic Access: Sperling Avenue

Street Address: 5655 Sperling Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Violet Eagles outside her home, 1939 thumbnail

Dot

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2707

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1937

Collection/Fonds: Hawkshaw family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dot standing on the lawn of the R.F. Anderson house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in this house in 1937. The Anderson House, gardens and tall trees are visible in the background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hawkshaw family fonds

Series: Hawkshaw family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dot standing on the lawn of the R.F. Anderson house located at 3908 Deer Lake Avenue (6504 Deer Lake Avenue) in Burnaby. Mabel Hawkshaw was living in this house in 1937. The Anderson House, gardens and tall trees are visible in the background.

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Geographic Features - Gardens; Plants - Trees

Geographic Access: Deer Lake Avenue

Accession Code: BV996.6.139

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1937

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2/18/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Caption for photograph reads: "Dot + Me"; Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1

Images

Interview with Jack McGeachie June 18, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory36

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1927-1930

Length: 0:08:22

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie's teen years including the early passing of his father.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie's teen years including the early passing of his father.

Date Range: 1927-1930

Photo Info: McGeachie family; John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie is the eldest child, standing second from the right, 1925 (date of original). Item no. 204-464

Length: 0:08:22

Subjects: Geographic Features - Gardens; Buildings - Residences - Houses

Geographic Access: Formby Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: June 18, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with John A."Jack" McGeachie by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 18, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) and farming in Burnaby. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: John Aloysius “Jack” McGeachie was born January 14, 1914 in Little Mountain, Vancouver to Helen and John McGeachie. Helen and John had four children; John Aloysius “Jack”, Florence Mary, Thomas Joseph “Tom” and Roderick Noel “Rod.” In 1922 the McGeachie family moved from Vancouver to East Burnaby where the children attended Edmonds School. John Sr. became ill and died, leaving the eldest Jack as the main breadwinner of the family when he was still just a teenager. He began his working life at a chicken farm, later learning his trade while working for the Hudson Bay Company. Jack McGeachie married Burnaby Historian Doreen Pixie Johnson. He and Pixie raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:51:13

Interviewee Name: McGeachie, John Aloysius "Jack"

Interview Location: Rosewood

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

McGeachie family; John Aloysius thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Jack McGeachie

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-10/100-13-10_Track_2.mp3

Broadway Jersey Ranch

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38259

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 15.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a house and barn identified as E.W. Nicholson's "Broadway Jersey Ranch." Three men and a team of horses can be seen to the right of the house. The men may be E.W. Nicholoson, John McCallum and George Dell.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 15.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 375-021

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Photograph of a house and barn identified as E.W. Nicholson's "Broadway Jersey Ranch." Three men and a team of horses can be seen to the right of the house. The men may be E.W. Nicholoson, John McCallum and George Dell.

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Agriculture - Farms; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: Dell, George; McCallum, John; Nicholson, E.W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption

Geographic Access: Boundary Road

Street Address: 2550 Boundary Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

John McCallum at Nicholson Farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38260

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.4 x 15.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a team of horses standing in a field next to the home and farm belonging to E.W. Nicholson.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1931

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.4 x 15.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 375-022

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Photograph of three men and a team of horses standing in a field next to the home and farm belonging to E.W. Nicholson.

Subjects: Buildings - Agricultural - Barns; Agriculture - Farms; Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: Dell, George; McCallum, John; Nicholson, E.W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on caption; A note on the back of the photograph reads: "Home of E.W. Nicholson. John McCallum and team. George Dell near steps."

Geographic Access: Boundary Road

Street Address: 2550 Boundary Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: West Central Valley Area

Images

John McCallum at Nicholson Farm, 1931 thumbnail

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12337

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:43:19 min.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Josephine Chow Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: February 7, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:43:19

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) conducted by BVM researcher Denise Fong at the Burnaby Village Museum. Josephine describes her family history and recollects her childhood experiences in 1950s and 60s while growing with her family on their "Hop On" farm in Burnaby. The farm is situated in the Big Bend area along Marine Drive and is still in operation today. 0:00-08:45 Josephine Chow provides some historical background on the history of “Hop On Farm” and her family in British Columbia. She tells of how her grandfather Gay Tim Hong and three partners pooled money together to purchase twelve acres on Marine Drive in 1951. Prior to this, most of them farmed on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation Reserve for 20-30 years. It all began when her great grandfather Sui Wing Hong, first came to Canada from China and slowly brought over her grandfather, father and other members of the family. Her grandfather, Gay Tim Hong went back and forth between Canada and China at least four times since he and her grandmother had four children including her father, who was born in 1931. Her father came to Canada at 10 years of age to live with his father. Josephine’s great grandfather came to Vancouver from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). 8:46- 14:20 Josephine provides the names of her siblings from the eldest to the youngest; Pauline, Josephine (herself), Catherine, Noreen, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. She describes what life was like on the farm with her parents working from sunrise to sunset. The family farmed vegetable produce taking orders from local stores in the lower mainland. Often the children helped their parents with the orders starting at eight or nine years of age. Other workers on the farm travelled by bus from Vancouver’s Chinatown. She also tells of how her father was an animal lover and raised chickens, pigeons, geese, koy, goldfish and dogs. 14: 21 – 16:56 Josephine describes what Burnaby was like during the time that she grew up in the late 1950s. She explains that Burnaby was very quiet with nothing being open on Sundays. On the farm, she and her siblings would entertain themselves by playing games like soccer, baseball and kick ball or also by catching frogs, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs. There were neighbours living on Marine Drive and almost every house had someone who we went to the same elementary school. The neighbourhood children would often come to play with them on their farm. 16:56- 26:47 Josephine describes how when they were young there were farms all around them and how on Sunday drives with her father, they would go to feed horses or look at the cows. Josephine shares that her elder sister Pauline was the only one born in China and how when she first arrived that she lived on the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations Reserve with their parents before they moved to Burnaby. Josephine recollects that most of her friends were farmer’s kids from the neighbourhood but while in school, she had more Caucasian friends. Josephine and her siblings attended Glenwood Elementary on Marine Drive and later Junior Secondary at McPherson Park (grades 8-10) and Burnaby South Senior Secondary (grades 11-12. ). She shares some of her experiences while attending school. She said that there were about a dozen Asians in school with her, mostly from farming families in the “Flats”. 26:48- 30:45 Josephine describes what life was like for her and her siblings after school. They often helped on the farm when they got home, usually taking care of orders for green onions. Her mother made dinner and did all of the cooking for family and workers on the farm as well as working in the fields. Her father did all of the grocery shopping in Vancouver’s Chinatown two or three times per week where he purchased meat and fish. She says that her grandfather, often travelled by bus every Saturday or Sunday to meet up with friends in Chinatown. Extracurricular activities for her and her siblings included volley ball and soccer as long as it didn’t interfere with their work schedule on the farm. 30:46- 37:03 Josephine describes what occurred while living at home, the food they ate, shopping and attending Chinese school. Her mother cooked only Chinese food, she didn’t know how to cook “Western food”. For school lunches, the kids made their own sandwiches. She tells of a Chinese language school arranged by Mrs. Joe [sic] who lived on Gilley Road and was Canadian born Chinese. Mrs. Joe [sic] also arranged an English class for farmer’s wives on Tuesday nights in which her mother attended. Josephine recollects learning Mandarin from Mrs. Joe [sic] a few days a week after her regular school. Chinese school took place at Riverway School on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Mrs. Joe also taught them a lot about Chinese culture including Kung Fu, Chinese Dance and Chinese brush painting. 37:04- 39:39 Josephine describes Medical Care for her and her family in the 1950s and 1960s. She tells of a female Chinese doctor in Vancouver, Dr. Madeline Chung. Dr. Chung was responsible for delivering a lot of Chinese babies including Josephine. The family also visited herbalists in Vancouver Chinatown. They would often buy herbs for colds etc. Josephine also tells of how her parents stayed in touch with family in China by writing letters. Her mother’s family, including her parents and siblings were still in China while most of her father’s family were here in Canada. 39:40- 43:19 – In closing, Josephine shares how life is much busier now and of how she misses the quietness of her days growing up. She briefly describes her life on the family farm now and how different it is from when her parents worked the farm. She explains how farming methods have changed and how they don’t have to work as hard as her parents did.

History: Interviewee biography: Josephine Chow (nee Hong) is the second eldest child of Chan Kow Hong and Sui Ha Hong. In 1925, Josephine's grandfather, Gay Tim Hong immigrated to Canada from Zhongshan county in Canton Province (also known as Guangdong). In 1952, her father, Chan Kow Hong joined his father, Gay Tim Hong and by 1953, he established "Hop On Farms" in the Big Bend area of Burnaby near Marine Drive. Josephine grew up on the farm with her parents and six siblings; Pauline, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene and Marlene. In 1969, Josephine's elder sister Pauline and her husband Jack Chan took over the family farm and in 1972 their father and grandfather moved to Kamloops to open a restaurant. As an adult, Josephine worked in several different areas including owning and running her own Aesthetics business. Josephine eventually retired and returned to the farm to assist her siblings. The farm is still in operation. 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: Persons - Chinese Canadians; Agriculture - Farms; Education; Buildings - Schools; First Nations reserves - British Columbia

Names: Chow, Josephine; Glenwood Elementary School; McPherson Park Junior Secondary School; ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

Responsibility: Fong, Denise

Geographic Access: Byrne Road

Accession Code: BV020.6.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

Media Type: Sound Recording

Historic Neighbourhood: Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Big Bend Area

Related Material: See also BV017.36*

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 12/3/2017

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of interview; Photograph info: Gary Hong and Chan Kow Hong harvesting celery at Hop-On Farms [1969]. BV017.36.4

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020, [1900-2020] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 7, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2020_0006_0001_001.mp3

Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription12338

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some …

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 sound recording (mp3) (00:53:46 min.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Denise Fong Interviewee: Julie Lee Location of Interview: Home of Julie and Cecil Lee Interview Date: February 6, 2020 Total Number of Tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 00:53:46

Scope and Content: Recording consists of an interview with Julie Lee conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Julie Lee shares information about her mother, Suey Ying Jung's (Laura's) experiences growing up as a Chinese Canadian on a farm in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She also shares some information about her father Puy Yuen Chan. 0:00- 01:47 Julie Lee provides background information on her families’ connection to Burnaby and conveys how her maternal grandparents farmed a five acre lot at Still Creek and Douglas Road. Her grandparents grew vegetable produce and operated a piggery at this location. Her mother, Suey Ying Jung (Laura) was the middle child between two older sisters, Maida and Annie and her two younger brothers Gordon and Harry. They were all born at home and educated at Edmonds Elementary School. 01:48- 11:47 Julie provides some background information about her mother, the friendships she made growing up, when she got married and places that she lived. She tells of her mother marrying in 1942 at age 30 years, moving to Fraser Mills and then onto Maillardville in 1958. There was easy access to the Interurban tram so her mother was able to have a social life with others in Vancouver’s Chinatown. She says that many of the only existing photographs of the family living on the farm at Still Creek and Douglas Road can be attributed to her mother’s friend Lil Mau [sic] who owned a camera. The farm was sold around 1949 when her grandparents moved to East Vancouver. While operating the farm, her grandparents only hired Chinese workers who spoke the same language and ate the same foods as them. Despite this, her grandparents made friends with the Collin’s family who assisted them in adjusting to the Canadian way of life. Julie tells that her mother’s sister Maida and brother in law lived with them at Fraser Mills. Her mother’s sister Maida had nine children so Julie’s mother helped her in raising them. 11:48 – 16:53 - Julie talks about racial prejudice towards the Chinese in Burnaby during the 1920s and 1930s. She says that for the most part, her mother’s family had a very insular life on the farm and mainly socialized only within the Chinese community. Julie tells of how she recently became aware of a memoir “The Way it Was”, written by Burnaby resident, Fannie Waplington. The memoir is held as part of the Burnaby Village Museum collection. In the memoir, Fannie Waplington tells of how she was forbidden from visiting Julie’s mother on their farm due to her ethnic background. Julie conveys that it seems like it was a missed friendship for both her mother and Fannie. 16:54 – 22:30 Julie describes what school life was like for her mother and what she may have done outside of school. Her mother attended Edmonds School in the 1920s up to Grade 7 or Grade 8. Julie explains that Asian girls were never offered the opportunity to pursue higher education while her mother’s brothers continued with their education attending Vancouver Technical School. Her mother continued to work on the farm until she was married cooking for workers and helping her mother. Outside of school, she may have helped with looking after nieces and nephews, played cards and mahjong. She says that her mother continued to play cards with her own children and was a skilled knitter into her 80s. 22:31 – 30: 53 Julie tells of what she knows about the Chinese workers on the farm and Fraser Mills and what they did on the weekends. She figures that many may have played card games to pass the time and at Fraser Mills gambling occurred. Fishing was a highlight for her father and she recalls him fishing sturgeon. Single workers may have gone into Vancouver on the weekends. Julie says that her parents had a hobby farm while living at Fraser Mills and that they grew enough garlic to sell in Chinatown. She thinks that before living at Fraser Mills, her mother must have went to Chinatown quite a bit, assisting with banking and enjoying a social life. Julie shares that her father, Puy Yuen Chan came to Canada from China at twelve years of age but working as a shingle packer, he never learned to speak English. She figures that her parents must have met at Fraser Mills while her mother was visiting her sister Maida. 30:54 – 37:33 Julie describes her mother as the cook, caregiver and the “one man show”. She says that her mother enjoyed cooking traditional Chinese recipes. Julie talks of her own cooking and gardening skills which she may have inherited from her parents including her large patch of garlic. 37:34- 40:23- Julie is asked as to whether her mother attended Chinese school and says that she had some Chinese schooling. She could read and write a little but didn’t attend a formal school as far as she knows. Julie shares some background information on her own husband Cecil, who grew up in East Vancouver. She shares that Cecil’s family went back to China from 1931 until 1939 when they returned to Queensborough. Cecil attended Chinese school in New Westminster. 40:24 – 42:19 Julie speaks briefly about what type of medical care her mother and her family had. She relates that all births took place at home and they accessed a Chinese herbalist in Chinatown. Hospitals were accessed in 1950s—1960s. The family did use Western doctors that were insured under the medical system. She recalls growing up and having to drink a particular herbal brew at least once a month to stay well. 42:20- 46:47 Julie describes how her parents stayed connected with their families in China. She says that her mother’s family didn’t stay in touch with relatives in China and that her uncles rejected anything to do with the past. On her father’s side they maintained a connection with cousins. She recalls that her father, Puy Yuen Chan supported some of his relatives back home in China and stayed in touch with some. Her mother, Laura travelled to China in 1991 and 1992 and connected with some relations on Julie’s father’s side. 46:48- 53:46 In this segment, Julie speaks of her mother’s character being very self-assured, independent and goal oriented. She feels that her mother valued being surrounded by her family and friends and felt very comfortable growing up in Burnaby and with the relationships that she had. She feels that her mother adapted to her roles being the last of four children on the farm and that she was very self-sufficient and determined.

History: Interviewee biography: Julie Lee (nee Chan) is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) and Puy Yuen Chan. Her mother's family owned and operated a vegetable and piggery farm on Douglas Road near Still Creek in the early 1900s. Their farm was located in front of the Douglas Road interurban tram station. Her mother had two older sisters named Maida and Annie and two younger brothers Harry and Gordon. Her mother was born in 1912 and left the farm for Fraser Mills when she was married in 1942. Julie grew up with her parents and siblings on the Fraser Mills site during the 1940s and 1950s. 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”.