Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Corner of Granville & Georgia Sts. 1889

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65741

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1889

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 print : watercolour reproduction ; 9 x 20 cm [sight] in frame 16.5 x 27 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a framed watercolour reproduction of the corner of Granville and Georgia Streets in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia in 1889.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1889

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Anne Sievenpiper subseries

Physical Description: 1 print : watercolour reproduction ; 9 x 20 cm [sight] in frame 16.5 x 27 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 42663

Accession Number: BHS2001-02

Scope and Content: Item is a framed watercolour reproduction of the corner of Granville and Georgia Streets in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia in 1889.

Media Type: Graphic Material

Responsibility: Original watercolour by George Mercer

Notes: Transcribed title

Ronald G. Scobbie collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11914

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1890]-1932

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including Dis…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including District Lots in Burnaby along with various school sites and church plans; surveying records regarding North Road and a map of the Burnaby Municipality. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Subdivision and survey plans series 2) School and church plans series 3) Map series

History: Ronald G. Scobbie was born in Scotland. After graduating from high school, he worked in the mines of Scotland which led to a career as a land surveyor. Ron immigrated to Canada in 1965 and settled in North Vancouver. In 1967 he became a partner in the surveying company of Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie in New Westminster, eventually owning it under the title Scobbie and Associates between 1980 and 1995. Ron sold the business in 1995 and retired as a BC Land Surveyor in December 2003. Ron was an active member of the B.C. Land Surveyors Association and an avid collector of surveying equipment and maps and plans that document the history of surveying in British Columbia. Upon retirement, Ron donated many historical maps and plans to various repositories located in different geographical regions throughout B.C.; Scobbie & Associates land surveying company dates back to 1890 when Albert J. Hill first established his practice as a land surveyor in New Westminster. The company went through a series of Surveyors (owners) between 1890 and 1995:; Albert James Hill (A.J. Hill) [1890] to 1912; Hill & Burnett 1911 to 1912; Geoffrey K. Burnett 1912; Burnett & McGugan 1912 to 1947; Burnett, McGugan & Hunter 1947 to 1959; Burnett, Hunter & Douglas 1959 to 1960; Hunter, Douglas & Crockford 1960 to 1964; Hunter, Crockford & Associates 1964 to 1965; Hunter, Crockford & Aplin 1965 to 1967; Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie 1967 to 1973; Crockford, Scobbie & Associates 1973-1980; Scobbie & Associates 1980 to 1995

Creator: Hill, Albert James; Burnett, David H.; McGugan, Donald Johnston

Responsibility: Scobbie, Ronald G.

Accession Code: HV984.57; BV003.83

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1890]-1932

Media Type: Architectural Drawing; Cartographic Material; Graphic Material; Textual Record

Related Material: For other survey and subdivision plans created by land surveyors Albert J. Hill, Geoffery K. Burnett and Donald J. McGugan, see: Burnaby Village Museum Map collection - Survey and Subdivision plans series

Notes: Title based on contents of collection

Waplington and Fleming families album series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18958

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1900-2004]

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 1 album (88 photographs, textual records, graphic material)

Scope and Content: Series consists of an album about the Waplington and Fleming families. The album contains photographs, family documents, stories, poems, biographies and genealogy about family members.

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Series: Waplington and Fleming families album series

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 1 album (88 photographs, textual records, graphic material)

Scope and Content: Series consists of an album about the Waplington and Fleming families. The album contains photographs, family documents, stories, poems, biographies and genealogy about family members.

Date: [1900-2004]

Media Type: Photograph; Textual Record; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of series

Kitty Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66567

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w + 1 watercolour painting

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Kitty Hill, posing next to a high-back chair. Accompanying the photograph is a watercolour painting that was based on this photograph, done on a linen backing.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Series: Kitty Hill Peers family photograph series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w + 1 watercolour painting

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 477-1181

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Photograph is a portrait of Kitty Hill, posing next to a high-back chair. Accompanying the photograph is a watercolour painting that was based on this photograph, done on a linen backing.

Names: Peers, Katherine Maude Hill "Kitty"

Media Type: Photograph; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Hazel Simnett collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription71379

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1996]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1996]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Physical Description: 13 files of textual records : ill. (some col.) ; 9 paintings : colour print ; 2 photographs : b&w

Description Level: Fonds

Accession Number: 2013-22; 2012-03

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of City-generated records, personal records, and political records collected by Hazel Simnett.

History: Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 to Frederick and Mary Ann Simnett and grew up looking up to her father who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. Hazel attended Kingsway West Public School and Burnaby South High School in Burnaby. During the 1970s, Hazel was President of the Century Park Museum Association, which governs Burnaby Heritage Museum and published the work "Bygones of Burnaby". Hazel worked on the campaign team of Joan Sawicki from 1990 to 1991, which led Sawicki to be elected as Burnaby-Willingdon riding's MLA. Hazel volunteered her time to be a member of the Burnaby Advisory Planning Commission from 1993 to 1996. In 2006, Hazel won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Graphic Material

Creator: Simnett, Hazel

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds; MSS167

Simnett personal papers series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82730

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 3 files of textual records: ill. (some col.), and 2 photographs : b&w

Scope and Content: Series consists of three files: (1). Roll of Honour records; (2). Personal material; and (3). Graduation records.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 3 files of textual records: ill. (some col.), and 2 photographs : b&w

Description Level: Series

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: Series consists of three files: (1). Roll of Honour records; (2). Personal material; and (3). Graduation records.

Names: Simnett, Hazel

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of series; Simnett personal papers series

Personal material

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82732

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlai…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910-1978]

Collection/Fonds: Hazel Simnett collection

Series: Simnett personal papers series

Physical Description: 9 paintings : colour print, 2 photographs : b&w, and 1 folder of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS167-008

Accession Number: 2013-22

Scope and Content: File consists of application for a driver's license, Kingsway Driving School report card, driver's examination receipt and a letter addressed to Hazel Simnett from the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada. Also included is an immigration inspection card of Fred Simnett aboard the S.S. Lake Champlain from Liverpool and a letter from the Office of the Mayor addressed to Mary Ann Simnett for her ninetieth birthday. Also included is a photograph (see item 559-001). Also included are newsclippings regarding Robert Burnaby and the "Bygones of Burnaby" book, a programme of the Robert Burnaby Commemorative Dinner, a photocopy of "The Argus" (Burnaby South High School's newspaper) from 1938, a programme from Madys Pridmore Brown's Variety Programme, "The Buzzer" Volume 40 Issue 16 advertising Vancouver street cars, New Vista Society certificate addressed to Hazel Simnett, an envelope of Fenwick Lansdowne bird prints from 1957 and a print of the Royal Family found in a cardboard envelope postmarked 1972.

Subjects: Arts - Paintings; Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers; Documentary Artifacts - Photographs; Performances - Concerts; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Personal Symbols - Certificates; Transportation; Persons - Royalty

Names: Simnett, Hazel; Simnett, Frederick "Fred"; Simnett, Mary Ann; Lansdowne, James Fenwick

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on note accompanying file on folder ; The Argue was stapled together; Simnett personal papers series

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Clinton-Glenwood Area

School and church plans series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18949

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1910]-1932

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 30 plans + 2 architectural drawings + graphic materials + textual records

Scope and Content: Series consists of surveying plans of schools and churches within the Corporation of the District of Burnaby along with graphic material relating to the division of tax spending by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby.

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Series

Physical Description: 30 plans + 2 architectural drawings + graphic materials + textual records

Scope and Content: Series consists of surveying plans of schools and churches within the Corporation of the District of Burnaby along with graphic material relating to the division of tax spending by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby.

Accession Code: BV003.83

Date: [1910]-1932

Media Type: Cartographic Material; Textual Record; Architectural Drawing; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of series

Blue flowers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription63105

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1976]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 painting : watercolour ; 38.5 x 26 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a watercolour painting by Leila Orman of cut blue flowers arranged in a flower pot.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [before 1976]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Leila Orman subseries

Physical Description: 1 painting : watercolour ; 38.5 x 26 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: MSS104-020

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Item is a watercolour painting by Leila Orman of cut blue flowers arranged in a flower pot.

Media Type: Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of painting

Buy Bonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65618

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 1, 1924

Collection/Fonds: Harry Stanley Bate fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 poster

Scope and Content: Item is a poster requesting Burnaby residents to "Buy Bonds" offered in $500.00 and $1,000.00 denominations. The poster includes a map of Burnaby and its surrounds as well as assessment and debenture debit statistics.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: December 1, 1924

Collection/Fonds: Harry Stanley Bate fonds

Physical Description: 1 poster

Description Level: Item

Record No.: MSS143-005

Accession Number: 2010-09

Scope and Content: Item is a poster requesting Burnaby residents to "Buy Bonds" offered in $500.00 and $1,000.00 denominations. The poster includes a map of Burnaby and its surrounds as well as assessment and debenture debit statistics.

Media Type: Graphic Material

How your dollar is spent

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11158

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1924

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 graph : ink on waxed linen ; 31 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a drawing of a circular graph re: Burnaby tax information, "How Your Dollar is Spent" / “Municipal Loans” / General / Schools”.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Ronald G. Scobbie collection

Series: School and church plans series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 graph : ink on waxed linen ; 31 x 23 cm

Scope and Content: Item consists of a drawing of a circular graph re: Burnaby tax information, "How Your Dollar is Spent" / “Municipal Loans” / General / Schools”.

Accession Code: BV003.83.37

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1924

Media Type: Graphic Material

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 15-Jan-2021

Scale: 100

Notes: Transcribed title

Images

How your dollar is spent, 1924 thumbnail

Pages from May Aikenhead scrapbook

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription5245

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1930-1935]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records : 1 p. + 1 illustration : col. ; graphite and watercolour + 1 digital file : col. (pdf) + 10 photographs : col. (tiffs)

Scope and Content: File consists of pages from a scrapbook created by May Aitkenhead. Pages include an illustration of a Girl Guide in uniform done in pencil and watercolour along with two pages (double sided) of clippings from newspapers, magazines and a programme. The illustration page includes the name "Mabel McIn…

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records : 1 p. + 1 illustration : col. ; graphite and watercolour + 1 digital file : col. (pdf) + 10 photographs : col. (tiffs)

Scope and Content: File consists of pages from a scrapbook created by May Aitkenhead. Pages include an illustration of a Girl Guide in uniform done in pencil and watercolour along with two pages (double sided) of clippings from newspapers, magazines and a programme. The illustration page includes the name "Mabel McIntyre / Cl. 16" handwritten in pencil at the top of the page along with a sticker of a wreath. The newspaper clippings page is titled "Guide News" and includes selected clippings about the 5th Burnaby Girl Guides, while two other pages include information titled "Patrol Portfolio Chart No. 9 _ Digging"; "The Aims of the Girl Guides" and "Girl Guiding" with photographic images of Mrs. Alan Morkill (Provincial Commissioner for British Columbia); Countess Bessborough (Honourary President of the Canadian Girl Guide Association); His Excellency Rt. Hon. the Earl of Bessborough (Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Dominion of Canada- Chief Scout of Canada) as well as Lady and Lord Baden Powell. The last page is clipped and pasted from a programme and/or poster "Grand Rally / Scouts / and / Guides / April 15th 1935 / Hastings Park / Vancouver BC" and includes a page of the programme.

Creator: Aitkenhead, May

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Arts - Paintings

Names: Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35.168

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1930-1935]

Media Type: Textual Record; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Digital images were created of the scrapbook prior to selective retention of original records; Selected pages were removed from original scrapbook and were retained under BV015.35.168; Selected photographs were removed from scrapbook prior and are described at item level (BV015.35.292 to BV015.35.300)

Images

Pages from May Aikenhead scrapbook, [1930-1935] thumbnail

Documents

2015_0035_0168_all_pages

First Burnaby Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4590

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1934-1939

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 scrapbook (2 photographs + illustrations + textual records)

Scope and Content: File consists of a scrapbook with sixteeen double sided pages with handwritten journal notations, poems, hand drawn illustrations and photographs documenting 1st Burnaby Girl Guide activities including meetings, hiking, camping and various outings. Many of the journal entries describe hiking around…

1 image 1 document

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Girl Guides fonds

Series: Burnaby Girl Guides scrapbooks and photographs series

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 scrapbook (2 photographs + illustrations + textual records)

Scope and Content: File consists of a scrapbook with sixteeen double sided pages with handwritten journal notations, poems, hand drawn illustrations and photographs documenting 1st Burnaby Girl Guide activities including meetings, hiking, camping and various outings. Many of the journal entries describe hiking around Burnaby including areas such as Deer Lake, Brunette River, Willingdon and the Gilley Avenue Ravine while photographs document a garden party at the Municipal Hall at Edmonds in 1936. Photograph BV015.35.162.1 is titled "Garden Party / 1936" with Brown Owls identified L to R as: Mrs. Gowan, Miss May Dumas and Miss Kay Crossfield. Photograph BV015.35.162.2 is titled " Folk-dancing team / 1936 / Garden Party, Municipal Hall, Edmonds" with people identified in the top row L to R as: Phyllis Lockhart, Margaret Wilson, Marion Bellinger, Betty Martin and Peggy Urquhart and bottom row L to R as: Joan Warburton, Kay Lambert and Joan Mortimer. The scrapbook may have been a collective project by Marion Bellinger, Jean Atcheson, Margaret Wilson and Connie Benning.

Subjects: Organizations - Girls' Societies and Clubs; Recreational Activities - Hiking

Names: Atcheson, Jean; Wilson, Margaret; Bellinger, Marion; Dumas, May; Crossfield, Kay; Lockhart, Phyllis; Martin, Betty; Urquhart, Peggy; Warburton, Joan; Lambert, Kay; Mortimer, Joan; Girl Guides of Canada

Accession Code: BV015.35.162

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 1934-1939

Media Type: Photograph; Textual Record; Graphic Material

Notes: Title based on contents of scrapbook; Two photographs are described at item level (BV015.35.162.1 & BV015.35.162.2)

Images

First Burnaby Company, 1934-1939 thumbnail

Documents

2015_0035_0162_all_pages

Sketch of Frances L. Waplington and newspaper editorial

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19009

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1934]

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 illustration : black ink on card ; 15.5 x 8.5 cm + 1 newspaper clipping

Scope and Content: File consists of an original caricature sketch of Frances L. Waplington Fleming created by Fraser Wilson and a newspaper clipping. Sketch was used in an editorial titled "Versatile Lady", "Pertinent Portraits / by Idle Roomer" published in The Commonwealth newspaper .

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Waplington family fonds

Series: Waplington and Fleming families album series

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 illustration : black ink on card ; 15.5 x 8.5 cm + 1 newspaper clipping

Scope and Content: File consists of an original caricature sketch of Frances L. Waplington Fleming created by Fraser Wilson and a newspaper clipping. Sketch was used in an editorial titled "Versatile Lady", "Pertinent Portraits / by Idle Roomer" published in The Commonwealth newspaper .

Creator: Wilson, Fraser

Names: Fleming, Frances "Fanny" Waplington; Wilson, Fraser

Accession Code: BV016.46.170

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [1934]

Media Type: Graphic Material; Textual Record

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-01-06

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Document is part of Photograph album BV016.46.52

Images

Sketch of Frances L. Waplington and newspaper editorial, [1934] thumbnail

Sunset o'er Burnaby Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88875

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 painting : watercolour ; 20 x 30 cm on paper 28 x 38 cm

Scope and Content: Item is a watercolour painting by J. Adams of the sunset over Burnaby Lake from the George Derby home.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Ephemera subseries

Physical Description: 1 painting : watercolour ; 20 x 30 cm on paper 28 x 38 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: MSS195-001

Access Restriction: Open access

Accession Number: BHS2000-12

Scope and Content: Item is a watercolour painting by J. Adams of the sunset over Burnaby Lake from the George Derby home.

Media Type: Graphic Material

Creator: Adams, J.

Notes: Title based on contents of painting; Note in black ink in handwritten script on front of painting reads: "Sunset o'er Burnaby Lake / from George Derby Home/ April 12th 1947"

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19150

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1950-2022

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) + 65 photographs + 26 photographs (jpg) + 1 portfolio (15 col. photographs + 12 col. laser prints) + 1 col. laser print + 6 business cards + 1 identification card + 1 booklet

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of an oral history interview with Jimmy Chow and his wife, Donna Polos; photographs of Jimmy Chow and his family soon after they immigrated to Canada in the 1950s as well as a sampling of photographs and records documenting Jimmy Chow's career in the film industry. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Jimmy Chow and Donna Polos interviews series 2) Jimmy Chow family photographs series 3) Property master photographs series 4) Property master records series

History: Hipman "Jimmy" Chow was born in Lin Pong Lee, Hoiping, China in 1948. In 1950, Jimmy Chow and his mother, Gim Gee Chow (1913-1991) fled China to escape the Communist Revolution and to be reunited with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow (1906-1990) who’d immigrated to Canada many years earlier. Jimmy’s elder sister Shao-Lin Chow stayed behind in China. Jimmy’s father, Robin Chung Dip Chow immigrated to Canada in 1921 at 14 years of age and was forced to pay the Chinese head tax of $500. In 1950, Jimmy and his mother first fled to Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada and arriving in Vancouver. Jimmy Chow’s birth name is Hipman Chow but when he arrived in Canada, his father indicated that he needed an English name and he was given the name “Jimmy” but retained his birth name “Hipman Chow”. Over the years, Jimmy has also used the name “James H. Chow” and is often credited by this name in the film industry. For the first four years after immigrating, Jimmy and his parents lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec where his father had work in hotels and restaurants. While living in Asquith, Saskatchewan Jimmy attended school and began to learn English. In 1954, Jimmy and his parents returned to Vancouver, first living in the area of Strathcona before settling in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant where they purchased a house located on 15th Avenue east of Main Street. While living in Mount Pleasant, Jimmy attended both elementary and high school. While attending high school, Jimmy began working at the local grocery store where he worked for many years living at home and saving his money. In 1970 while attending Vancouver City College, Jimmy met his future wife Donna Polos. Two years later, they moved in together, married in 1981 and started a family. Jimmy and Donna first lived in North Burnaby before purchasing a house on Victory Street in Burnaby where they raised their three children. Growing up in a traditional Chinese Canadian family, Jimmy was always one who went against the grain. Although his father wanted him to get a business degree, Jimmy had aspirations for a different career path. Through the referral of a friend, he entered the film industry in 1973 working for CBC Vancouver. While working at the CBC, Jimmy gained valuable experience working on the set of the television series The Beachcombers, which launched his career in the film industry. Over a 45 year career, Jimmy worked on over 50 blockbuster movies, historical period films, science fiction films and fantasy films, where he honed in on his expertise as a set decorator, art director and property master. He built an international reputation through working with production companies, prop makers and antique sellers across the globe. As a property master in the film industry, Jimmy Chow has been responsible for designing, managing, and sourcing props for films such as: The BFG, Warcraft: The Beginning, X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Watchman, Tron: Legacy, Little Women, Seven Years in Tibet, Shanghai Noon, The Shipping News, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Changeling, Man of Steel (Superman), Snow Falling on Cedars, Legends of the Fall, And the Sea Will Tell, Once a Thief and many more. With Jimmy's many years of professional experience in the film industry, he has been a union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians...) from July 1979, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science from 2018 and has worked as a guest lecturer in film production at Capilano University and Langara University. He was also a key contributor to the Burnaby Village Museum’s 2014 temporary exhibition Burnaby Makes Movies. Donna Polos was born in Vancouver in 1949 to parents Mayme "May" Helen Tillikana Polos (1931-1977) and Donald James Polos (1926-2017). Donna’s maternal grandparents, Elvi Tienhara and Toiva Tillikana immigrated to Canada from Helsinki, Finland. Donna’s paternal grandmother, Pauline Chimiki Polos emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina and then to Winnipeg. Donna’s paternal grandfather, James "Jimmy" Kostopolus emigrated as an orphan from Sparta Greece at the age of 12 years. In 1908, he first immigrated to the United States where he was denied entry so immigrated to Canada, entering through Halifax at Pier 17. When immigrating, James changed his last name to "Polos". Jimmy Polos arrived in Halifax with only five dollars in his pocket. He lived in Halifax for many years before making his way to Vancouver where he established three restaurants and raised his family. James was the proprietor of three restaurants in Burnaby including; the Home Apple Pie Café (1941-1944) located on East Hastings near Princess Avenue; Jimmy’s Café (1945-1955) located on East Hastings near Hawks Avenue and another restaurant located near 10th Avenue and Alma Street. Donna grew up with her family in Vancouver, first living in the downtown eastside before moving to a home near Joyce Station. Donna attended elementary school and high school while growing up in the neighbourhood of Joyce Station. Donna moved out of her family home at 21 years of age and lived with roommates before moving in with Jimmy Chow in 1972. Donna attended Vancouver City College and the University of British Columbia where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974. Donna first taught at Gilmore Elementary School before being hired to teach at Clinton Elementary School where she taught for nine years. While raising their three children, Donna worked part time teaching in schools in Burnaby. In 1991, after a near death experience, Donna became interested in fine art and took drawing and watercolour painting classes. This experience led her to experimenting with different painting techniques on paper and fabric. In 2008, Donna retired from teaching but continued her art career often working as an Artist in Residence at various schools and exhibiting her work. While living in Burnaby Donna has been politically active with a particular passion for heritage, housing and preserving the natural environment. Donna was instrumental in advocating and petitioning for the establishment of a tree bylaw in Burnaby which was eventually adopted by the City.