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![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg?width=280)
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
- History
- Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. 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
- Environmental Issues
- Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Housing
- Occupations
- Occupations - Entrepreneurs
- Occupations - Writers
- Persons - Volunteers
- Persons - Jewish Canadians
- Social Issues
- Social Issues - Racism
- Religions
- Religions - Judaism
- Names
- Schwartz, William "Bill"
- Schwartz, Ellen
- City of Burnaby
- Polestar Communications
- British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
![Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_001.jpg)
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory601
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1956-2015
- Length
- 0:16:27
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s view that the traditional landmark character of Burnaby Mountain is its wildness which has now been lost. He talks about the decline in local peoples’ concern for the natural environment and the challenge of educating young people about nature.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s view that the traditional landmark character of Burnaby Mountain is its wildness which has now been lost. He talks about the decline in local peoples’ concern for the natural environment and the challenge of educating young people about nature.
- Date Range
- 1956-2015
- Length
- 0:16:27
- Subjects
- Geographic Features
- Planning
- Education
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 29, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 1:43:22
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony S.
- Interview Location
- Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
- Interviewer Bio
- Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track six of interview with Tony Fabian
Track six of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-007/MSS196-007_Track_6.mp3
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact35477
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV993.43.1
- Description
- The postcard face is a colour photo of Indian Arm from Burnaby Mountain Centennial Park in landscape format. Printed in navy on reverse at at upper left, "V-104" "INDIAN ARM FROM BURNABY MOUNTAIN" "Burnaby, B.C." "Looking North-West..."; illustration at left of R.C.M.P. officer; Printed at bottom left, "Photo by H. D. von Tiesenhausen" "S-1464"; This is a navy bar up centre with "PUB. BY NATURAL COLOR PRODUCTIONS, LTD., VANCOUVER, B.C."; at bottom, "MADE IN CANADA" "GRANT-MANN", logo of man, "LITHOGRAPHY" "PHOTOGRAPHY" "DESIGN" Printed at the upper right side of card is an illustration of mounted R.C.M.P. officer to the left of "POST CARD" "ADDRESS" and rectangle for stamp, "USE CANADIAN POSTAGE"; The card is unused
- Object History
- Purchased 1980/1981
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Title
- Indian Arm from Burnaby Mountain S-1464
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact35478
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV993.43.2
- Description
- Postcard: colour photo of Burnaby Mountain Park, Burnaby, BC, including the wooden Burnaby Mountain Park sign and Centennial Pavilion, built for the BC Centennial in 1958; horizontal; on reverse in blue, "2" "BURNABY MOUNTAIN PARK" "Burnaby, B.C., Canada" "The Centennial Pavilion..."; drawing of R.C.M.P. officer at left, mounted officer at right; at lower left, "Photo by George Allen Aerial Photos Ltd. For the Burnaby Parks & Recreation Commission" "S-2773"; blue line up centre with "PUB. BY NATURAL COLOR PRODUCTIONS, LTD., VANCOUVER, B.C."; at bottom, "MADE IN CANADA" "GRANT-MANN"; at upper right, "POST CARD" and rectangle for stamp, "USE CANADIAN POSTAGE"; "ADDRESS" below; unused
- Object History
- Purchased 1980/1981
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Title
- Burnaby Mountain Park
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact44486
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV002.30.1
- Description
- Postcard: colour photo of Centennial Pavilion, Burnaby Mountain Park; horizontal; on reverse in navy, "4" "CENTENNIAL PAVILION" "Burnaby, B.C., Canada" "The Centennial Pavilion located..."; illustration at left of R.C.M.P. officer; at bottom, "Photo by George Allen Aerial Photos Ltd. For the Burnaby Parks & Recreation Commission" "S-2775"; navy bar up centre with "NATURAL COLOR PRODUCTIONS, LTD., VANCOUVER, B.C."; at bottom, "MADE IN CANADA" "GRANT-MANN", logo; at upper right, illustration of mounted R.C.M.P. officer, "POST CARD" "ADDRESS", and rectangle "USE CANADIAN POSTAGE"; in blue pen on left side, "July, 1977"
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Title
- Centennial Pavilion Burnaby, B.C., Canada S-2775
- Publication Date
- July 1977
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact48137
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV004.113.1
- Description
- Postcard: colour photograph of Burnaby Mountain Park including Centennial Pavilion; horizontal; on reverse in blue: "1" "BURNABY MOUNTAIN PARK" "Burnaby, B.C., Canada" "This park...", drawing of R.C.M.P. officer at left; photo by "George Allen Aerial Photos Ltd. For the Burnaby Parks & Recreation Commission" "S-2772"; blue bar up centre with "PUB. BY NATURAL COLOR PRODUCTIONS, LTD. VANC.-", rest covered; at bottom "MADE IN CANADA" "GRANT-MANN"; green 10 cent stamp at upper right; blue and white "AIR MAIL PAR AVION" label top centre; postmarked "NEW WESTMINSTER B.C. CANADA" "6 -" "17 -" "19--"; cancelled with 7 wavy lines; under "ADDRESS" at right side, in blue pen, "De Heer" "U. Hospes." "Uffo. Emmiresstr. 6." "Sneet"? "Nederland."; message "Hantel Cproetin"? "J. Wisbrands"?; corners slightly worn
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Marks/Labels
- Burnaby Mountain Park / Burnaby, B.C., Canada / George Allen Aerial Photos Ltd. / Burnaby Parks and Recreation Commission / S-2772
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Title
- Burnaby Mountain Park 1 S-2772
- Publication Date
- [ca. 1970]
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Documentary Artifacts - Photographs
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
Images
postcard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact84669
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV007.43.2
- Description
- postcard; Auto Tourist Camp - Postcard -- [1926]. Postcard with a black and white photograph; inscription in white at bottom reads: "Auto Tourist Camp, Central Park B.C." The postcard was published by the Gowen Sutton Company Limited of Vancouver, BC. Verso of postcard includes a postage stamp with King George in the upper right corner and is post marked Sept. 6 and includes a handwritten letter by "Violet" and is addressed to "Roseline Rondeau.../ Oregon".
- Classification
- Written Communication T&E - - Writing Media
- Object Term
- Postcard
- Colour
- Brown
- Black
- White
- Measurements
- w: 14 cm h: 9 cm
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- British Columbia
- Site/City Made
- Vancouver
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Geographic Features
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Recreational Activities
- Recreational Activities - Camping
- Names
- Central Park Auto Camp
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
Postcards from afar
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98024
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1971-1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 12 postcards : col. ; 10.5 cm x 15 cm and smaller
- Scope and Content
- Postcards sent to the Burnaby Region Boy Scouts of Canada by Scout staff during their travels abroad. Photographs on recto of postcards depict various local and international locations including: Ontario, New Brunswick, and Alberta, Canada; France; Gilwell Park and London, England; Alaska, USA; Ca…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1971-1972
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Scouts subseries
- Physical Description
- 12 postcards : col. ; 10.5 cm x 15 cm and smaller
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 631-021
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-05
- Scope and Content
- Postcards sent to the Burnaby Region Boy Scouts of Canada by Scout staff during their travels abroad. Photographs on recto of postcards depict various local and international locations including: Ontario, New Brunswick, and Alberta, Canada; France; Gilwell Park and London, England; Alaska, USA; Casablanca, Morocco; Mt. Fuji, Japan; Perthshire, Scotland; and Nairobi, Kenya.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from label on original envelope
Images
