Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Kask's Filling Station

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35533

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1930 (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 Kask's Filling Station, Kask's Camp, Barnet Road. It was located next to Kask's General Store to serve residents of the 30 to 35 rental cabins, plus the Kask home. The Kasks also operated a steam bath.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1930 (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.: 204-391

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Kask's Filling Station, Kask's Camp, Barnet Road. It was located next to Kask's General Store to serve residents of the 30 to 35 rental cabins, plus the Kask home. The Kasks also operated a steam bath.

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

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Barnet Road

Street Address: 7501 Barnet Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Kask's Filling Station, 1930 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38649

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1930

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 20 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street. Thirty-two children are standing, holding their instruments and wearing sashes. A number of banners and posters are visible, one reading "On the stage Thurs. Aug. 14, North Burnaby's Juvenile Band - Be on H…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1930

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Ephemera subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 20 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 472-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2005-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street. Thirty-two children are standing, holding their instruments and wearing sashes. A number of banners and posters are visible, one reading "On the stage Thurs. Aug. 14, North Burnaby's Juvenile Band - Be on Hand to Give the Boys & Girls a Boost." The other two banners read: "On Our Way to the Big Star Party Paramount Parade" and "At the Regent Theatre." Their bandmaster was Capitol Symphony Orchestra bassoonist Frederick Gorse (not pictured).

Subjects: Organizations - Bands; Musical Instruments; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: North Burnaby Juvenile Band

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Charlton and Rathburn

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was used in the Heritage Plaque that was erected at the site of the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Street Address: 4012 Hastings Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Images

North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre, 1930 thumbnail

Oak Theatre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37463

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1937 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 3.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Oak Theatre at 3506 Kingsway at night. This was the first commercial use of neon lighting in Burnaby. This photograph may have been taken opening night, August 4, 1937.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1937 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 3.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-051

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Oak Theatre at 3506 Kingsway at night. This was the first commercial use of neon lighting in Burnaby. This photograph may have been taken opening night, August 4, 1937.

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

Names: Oak Theatre

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bellinger, Bernard

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

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Oak Theatre, 1937 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Olympia Theatre banner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1400

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1936]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: The photograph shows an automobile decorated with rows of fringes. Behind the car is a banner sign for "OLYMPIA THEATRE". There are people gathered around the street for an unknown occasion. The area appears to be a park. There is a rooftop visible in the distance to the left of the photograph.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm

Material Details: inscribed in pencil, verso, u.r. "July 23"; Faint circular stamp mark of "Vancouver Drug Co." on verso, and gummed paper on each corner. The stamp reads, "Come to Vancouver's Golden Jubilee 1936/ 50 Years of Progress" outside its circular seal for "Vancouver Drug/ Co. Ltd./ Nu-Gloss/ PHOTO FINISH"

Scope and Content: The photograph shows an automobile decorated with rows of fringes. Behind the car is a banner sign for "OLYMPIA THEATRE". There are people gathered around the street for an unknown occasion. The area appears to be a park. There is a rooftop visible in the distance to the left of the photograph.

Subjects: Transportation - Automobiles; Events - Parades; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Names: Olympia Theatre

Accession Code: BV985.5774.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1936]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-02-02

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Olympia Theatre banner, [1936] thumbnail

Tow truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1489

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified child sitting on the running board of a tow truck. The convertible tow truck is parked in front of a fence with a Shell Gasoline logo attached to it and a billboard advertising Old Orchard in the background.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified child sitting on the running board of a tow truck. The convertible tow truck is parked in front of a fence with a Shell Gasoline logo attached to it and a billboard advertising Old Orchard in the background.

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV999.55.38

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For other photographs of the Burnaby Garage tow truck, see BV999.55.38 - .42

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Triple Spring Bumper

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1143

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV992.45.34

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1142

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-?]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV992.45.33

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-?]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1157

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a sign made of wood panels advertising "Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV992.45.48

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1158

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an advertisement sign made of wood panels. It reads,"Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 10 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an advertisement sign made of wood panels. It reads,"Triple Spring Bumper, For Sale, Made to fit any car" and has sample bumpers attached to the sign.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV992.45.51

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 01-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Turret Cigarettes billboard

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1399

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: July 26, [1936]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a grassy area in front of a large commercial building with various advertising signs for food, and a large billboard advertising Turret Cigarettes. In front of the restaurant building, there is a pillar with a circular top and Red Ensigns and Union Jacks hanging from it.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8.5 cm

Material Details: inscribed in pencil, verso, c. [written upside down] "July 26"; Faint circular stamp mark of "Vancouver Drug Co." on verso, and gummed paper on each corner.; The stamp reads, "Come to Vancouver's Golden [illegible]/ 50 Years of Progress" outside its circular seal for "Vancouver Drug/ Co. Ltd./ Nu-Gloss/ PHOTO FINISH"

Scope and Content: Photograph of a grassy area in front of a large commercial building with various advertising signs for food, and a large billboard advertising Turret Cigarettes. In front of the restaurant building, there is a pillar with a circular top and Red Ensigns and Union Jacks hanging from it.

Subjects: Symbols - Flags; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV985.5773.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: July 26, [1936]

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For a photograph of a similar/ same pillar, see BV985.5770.1 For a wider angle view of the restaurant building with the Turret Cigarettes billboard, see BV985.5771.1

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2024-02-02

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Turret Cigarettes billboard, July 26, [1936] thumbnail

Two men in front of Shell Gasoline logo

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1488

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [193-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified men standing in front of a Shell Gasoline logo at the side of a fence (the lettering outside of the shell logo is indistinct).

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm

Material Details: Photograph was likely taken out of an album as there is black paper residue on its recto

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified men standing in front of a Shell Gasoline logo at the side of a fence (the lettering outside of the shell logo is indistinct).

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Accession Code: BV999.55.37

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Date: [193-]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Eleanor and Louise Irwin with Hideko Kokuryo

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15245

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1938] (date of original), copied 2004

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Eleanor Irwin Nelson (left), Louise Irwin (right) and Hideko Kokuryo (behind) and dog in front of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill.Eleanor and Louise are seated on a wagon. The front steps and porch of the Irwin home are visible behind them.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: In the Shadow by the Sea collection

Series: Irwin family photographs series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi

Scope and Content: Photograph of Eleanor Irwin Nelson (left), Louise Irwin (right) and Hideko Kokuryo (behind) and dog in front of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill.Eleanor and Louise are seated on a wagon. The front steps and porch of the Irwin home are visible behind them.

Subjects: Persons - Japanese Canadians

Names: Barnet Mill; Barnet Lumber Company; Nelson, Eleanor Irwin; Irwin, Louise; Kokuryo, Hideko

Geographic Access: Burrard Inlet

Accession Code: BV019.32.64

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1938] (date of original), copied 2004

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Eleanor and Louise Irwin with Hideko Kokuryo, [1938] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20395

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronak…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Alex Chronakis and Georgia Chronakis Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 8, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Georgia Chronakis and her son Alex Chronakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 8, 2023. 00:00:00 - 00:08:39 Georgia and her son share biographical details about Georgia and her husband Louis Chronakis, including their Greek background, migration to Canada, marriage, children, Louis’ career as a mechanic and gas station owner and owning restaurants in White Rock and Burnaby. 00:08:40 - 00:13:59 Georgia and her son Alex recall the great memories of owning and operating their restaurant Mionas Taverna and share details of their family life in Burnaby and White Rock. 00:14:00 - 00:19:15 Alex and Georgia talk about Louis Chronakis' work experience and how he became involved in the restaurant business. They share their experiences of operating Minoas Taverna including their opening in 1986. 00:19:16 - 00:36:59 Alex and Georgia describe some of the foods that were on the menu of Minoas Taverna, the design of the restaurant, the Minoan history that it’s based on, memories of running the restaurant and why they decided to close. 00:37:00 – 00:41:52 Alex talks about his involvement with Greek festivals in Vancouver and Alex and Georgia reflect on their life in the future now that the restaurant has closed.

History: Interviewees biographies: Georgia Giannias Chronakis was born in Selassia, Sparta, Greece in 1941 and when she was sixteen years of age she moved to Athens. In 1964 Georgia immigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal before moving to Vancouver a few years later. In 1966, while living in Vancouver, she met and married Ilias "Louis" Chronakis who was born in Crete, Greece. Soon after marrying, Georgia and Louis Chronakis bought a house located at 3823 Kingsway and welcomed their first child, Anna. Four years later, Georgia and Louis moved to White Rock but continued to own their house on Kingsway and rented it out. While living in White Rock, they had three more children named Virginia, Alex and Ellie. Louis was a trained mechanic working independently and for various companies including CP Air, BC Ferries and Esso before deciding to get into the restaurant business. He partnered with another businessman to open a Mr. Mike's franchise and later a cafe and Greek restaurant in White Rock. In 1986, Georgia, Louis and family moved back to Burnaby and moved into a house on Sandall Street and began converting their former home on Kingsway into a restaurant which they named Minoas Greek Taverna (Minoas Taverna). They opened the restaurant on May 1, 1986, just one day before Expo '86 was opened. In 2023, after 37 years of running their restaurant they sold their business but continued to own the land and building on Kingsway. Alex Chronakis is the son of Georgia and Louis Chronakis and was born in 1972. Alex has spent time working with his family running their restaurant and has been involved in the Greek Day Festival in Vancouver. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Foods; Occupations; Occupations - Entrepreneurs; Occupations - Mechanics; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Migration; Persons - Greek Canadians

Names: Chronakis, Alex; Chronakis, Georgia Giannias; Minoas Taverna; Chronakis, Ilias "Louis"

Geographic Access: Kingsway; Smith Avenue

Street Address: 3823 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV023.16.21

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available

Documents

2023_0016_0021_003

Audio Tracks

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis, [1934-2023] (interview content), interviewed 8 Nov. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0021_002.mp3

Interview with Shirley Cohn

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on …

1 image 1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (16 min., 57 sec.) (50 min., 36 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (50 min., 36 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Shirley Cohn Location of Interviews: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Dates: April 14, 2023 and September 6, 2023 Total Number of Tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 67 min., 33 sec. Digital master recording (wav) recording of second interview (50 min., 36 sec.) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: File consists of two recordings of oral history interviews with Shirley Cohn conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. The first interview was conducted on April 14, 2023 and the second interview was conducted on September 6, 2023. Summary of interview conducted on September 6, 2023: 0:00 – 16:09 Shirley Cohn shares background information about her parents who immigrated to Detroit from Hungary in the 1930’s. Shirley recalls what it was like for her parents being Jewish during World War II and how many of their relations were killed in the Holocaust. Shirley talks about her Jewish Hungarian heritage, what it was like growing up in Detroit, the Jewish community in Detroit and the Jewish holidays and traditions that her family celebrated. Shirley recalls her high school and University education and experiences, starting her career in social work and how she met her future husband, Theodore “Ted” Cohn. 16:10 – 18:27 Shirley shares the story about her father in law, Dr. Daniel E. Cohn who was Harry Houdini’s doctor at the time of his death in Detroit on Oct. 31, 1926. Shirley explains that she donated some of Dr. Daniel E. Cohn’s original documents pertaining to this event to the New York Public Library. 18:28 – 26:04 Shirley describes her experiences living and working in London Ontario while her husband was a professor at University of Western Ontario and Shirley worked as a social worker in family services. Shirley recalls experiences of anti-Semitism while living in London. Shirley talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977 after her husband took a job as a professor at Simon Fraser University. Shirley describes her experiences living in Burnaby, raising a family and working as a social worker at Burnaby General Hospital. 26:05 – 26:18 Shirley talks about her interests outside of work, her family’s involvement in the Burquest Jewish Community Association and being a member of Temple Shalom. Shirley conveys information about other Jewish synagogues in Greater Vancouver, describes Reform Judaism at Temple Shalom and some Jewish cultural practices that her family has been involved with. 26:19 – 33:12 Shirley describes her family’s experiences living in the Garden Village nieghbourhood in Burnaby, her involvement sharing Jewish cultural traditions at her children’s school and recalls her children’s experiences attending school in Burnaby. 33:13 – 40:46 Shirley conveys the career paths that her children took and talks about what she likes about living in Burnaby including; the walking and hiking trails, the cultural and art performances and her involvement in local politics. Shirley talks about her and her husband’s involvement in the SFU retirees association and the SFURA walking and hiking group. Shirley reflects on her husband’s academic career, experiences teaching at SFU and the role of the Hillel Jewish Students Association at the Simon Fraser University. Shirley talks about the difficulties of discussing political views about the State of Israel. Shirley describes some traditional Jewish foods, the roles that they play and a local bakery that carries Jewish bake goods. 40:47 – 50:36 Shirley describes her current daily life in Burnaby; working one day a week as a social worker, gardening, her involvement at Temple Shalom and the Jewish Community Centre and how she travels in Burnaby. Shirley recalls the changes that she’s encountered in Burnaby and in her career over the years, shares a story about her husband losing his thesis and describes what Burnaby was like while she was raising her family. Shirley shares what she thinks about the areas of development in Burnaby and conveys the importance of having parks and affordable housing. In closing, Shirley reflects on what is like to be a Jewish person living in Burnaby.

History: Interviewee biography: Shirley Tanner was born in Detroit in 1947. Her parents were both Jewish. Her mother fled Hungary as a refugee in 1939, while her father emigrated from there in 1934. Shirley attended public schools in Detroit, and then studied social work at the University of Michigan. After marriage, Shirley and Ted Cohn moved to Ontario where Ted had a faculty appointment at the University of Western Ontario in political science. Six years later they moved to Burnaby for Ted’s teaching position in political science at Simon Fraser University. While living in Burnaby, Shirley took care of a growing family while also practicing social work, mainly at Burnaby Hospital. The family enjoyed Burnaby’s libraries and parks. Shirley helped out at her children’s schools, became a Block Watch captain, and the family joined Burquest Jewish Community Association. The Cohns later became members of Temple Sholom Synagogue in Vancouver, while remaining in Burnaby. Beginning in 2009, Ted started an informal hiking group for retired Simon Fraser University staff. This group has been open to others, so now has a wide variety of members. Shirley has also helped lead hikes in the region. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Education; Recreational Activities - Hiking; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Migration; Persons - Jewish Canadians; Religions - Judaism; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Wars - World War, 1939-1945

Names: Cohn, Dr. Daniel E.; Cohn, Shirley; Cohn, Theodore H. "Ted"; Burquest; Hillel Jewish Students Association; Simon Fraser University; SFURA walking and hiking group; Simon Fraser University Retirees Association "SFURA"; Temple Shalom

Responsibility: Damer, Eric

Accession Code: BV023.16.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Summary, recording and transcript of second interview available on Heritage Burnaby

Images

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023 thumbnail

Documents

2023_0016_0001_004

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shirley Cohn, [1926-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0001_003.mp3

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory516

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1900-1946

Length: 00:07:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, and her Oikawa grandparent’s immigration to BC and settlement on Lion and Don Islands at the mouth of the Fraser River. She describes how the family was moved to the internment camp “The Orchard” in New Denver,…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, and her Oikawa grandparent’s immigration to BC and settlement on Lion and Don Islands at the mouth of the Fraser River. She describes how the family was moved to the internment camp “The Orchard” in New Denver, but managed to find a place to live outside the camp where her grandmother grew a large garden from seeds brought in the seams of her clothing. She notes that the Lion Islands were named Oikawa-shima by the Japanese settlers.

Date Range: 1900-1946

Length: 00:07:05

Subjects: Wars - World War, 1939-1945; Persons - Japanese Canadians

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 27, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita 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 about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 01:34:10

Interviewee Name: Miyashita, Toki

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 one of interview with Toki Miyashita

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_1.mp3

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory522

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1990

Length: 00:13:56

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and dis…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita’s memories of the internment, separation of her father from the family to work on road camps, where she was born in Richmond at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, confiscation of home in 1942, eventual Redress, and lingering feelings of fear and distrust in her family. She also talks about visiting Hiroshima on her trip to Japan in 1980

Date Range: 1930-1990

Length: 00:13:56

Subjects: Wars - World War, 1939-1945; Persons - Japanese Canadians

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 27, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita 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 about Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 01:34:10

Interviewee Name: Miyashita, Toki

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 Toki Miyashita

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-017/MSS187-017_Track_7.mp3

Bellinger family home at Christmas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37462

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1934 or 1935] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 2.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue) showing the living room prepared for Christmas, including a set table and a Christmas tree.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1934 or 1935] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.6 x 2.6 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-050

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of 2827 Earl Avenue (later 6296 Pearl Avenue) showing the living room prepared for Christmas, including a set table and a Christmas tree.

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas; Furniture

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bellinger, Bernard

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

Geographic Access: Pearl Avenue

Street Address: 6296 Pearl Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Bellinger family home at Christmas, [1934 or 1935] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Digney family home at Christmas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85470

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1939

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-002-6

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2012-15

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.

Subjects: Holidays - Christmas

Names: Digney, Andy

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'

Geographic Access: Central Park; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Images

Video

Digney family home at Christmas, 1939

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-6.m4v

Digney family in Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85249

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1939 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by…

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1939 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-003-12

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-04

Scope and Content: Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by interspersed footage of the family's pet dog Nero and puppies along with some brief glimpses of the Royal visit (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) and cavilicade in 1939 along Kingsway. The film then switches to footage of Digney family Christmas festivities, a cat playing with a fish in a bowl and summer time at Pelican Lake in the 1940s and ends with a dog playing with a ball.

Subjects: Events - Parades; Animals - Dogs; Holidays - Christmas; Animals - Cats

Names: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"; Digney, Bruce; Digney, Paul

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film

Geographic Access: Bonsor Avenue; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Video

Digney family in Burnaby, [between 1939 and 1959]

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-12.m4v

Hugh M. Fraser

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34733

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1935] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Hugh M. Fraser, Reeve of Burnaby from 1914 to 1918 and from 1934 to 1939 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1935] (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.0 x 11.9 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-007

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Hugh M. Fraser, Reeve of Burnaby from 1914 to 1918 and from 1934 to 1939 and Commissioner from 1934 to 1940.

Subjects: Officials - Commissioners; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Fraser, Hugh M

Media Type: Photograph

Research

More like 'Chinese New Year envelope'

Narrow Results By

Kask's Filling Station

Images

North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre

Images

Oak Theatre

Images

Olympia Theatre banner

Images

Tow truck

Images

Triple Spring Bumper

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

Images

Triple Spring Bumper sign

Images

Turret Cigarettes billboard

Images

Two men in front of Shell Gasoline logo

Images

Eleanor and Louise Irwin with Hideko Kokuryo

Images

Interview with Georgia and Alex Chronakis

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Shirley Cohn

Images

Documents

Audio Tracks

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 1

Audio Tracks

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 7

Audio Tracks

Bellinger family home at Christmas

Images

Digney family home at Christmas

Images

Video

Digney family in Burnaby

Images

Video

Hugh M. Fraser

Images