24 records – page 1 of 2.

Interview with Maureen Olofson by Kathy Bossort October 14, 2015 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory569
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1906-1950
Length
0:09:08
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s parents immigration to Saskatchewan, her mother Kerstin in 1912 and father Axel in 1928, Maureen’s birth on a trip to Sweden in 1938, and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1942 and the start of their mink ranch, the GAK Fur Farm, near Curtis Av…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s parents immigration to Saskatchewan, her mother Kerstin in 1912 and father Axel in 1928, Maureen’s birth on a trip to Sweden in 1938, and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1942 and the start of their mink ranch, the GAK Fur Farm, near Curtis Avenue in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on Burnaby Mountain.
Date Range
1906-1950
Length
0:09:08
Names
Olofson, Axel
GAK Fur Farm
Skofteby, Gus
Ericksson, Karin
Subjects
Agriculture
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Westridge Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 14, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.
Biographical Notes
Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
1:19:04
Interviewee Name
Olofson, B. Maureen
Interview Location
Maureen Olofson'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
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Maureen Olofson

Less detail

L.C. Smith Typewriter

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35587
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1910 (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 George L. Donovan demonstrating the new L.C. Smith (later Smith-Corona) typewriter at the Vancouver Exhibition (later Pacific National Exhibition, PNE). He owned Vancouver Typewriters at 334 Seymour Street in Vancouver.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1910 (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.
204-445
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of George L. Donovan demonstrating the new L.C. Smith (later Smith-Corona) typewriter at the Vancouver Exhibition (later Pacific National Exhibition, PNE). He owned Vancouver Typewriters at 334 Seymour Street in Vancouver.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Exhibitions
Written Communication Tools and Equipment - Typewriters
Names
Donovan, George L.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Woman standing outside a Grocery Store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription270
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[191-?]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 9.1 x 13.9 cm
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard of an unidentified woman standing outside a grocery store. The store is a unit on the ground level of a brick building, behind which another building is visible. The display window includes stacks of canned goods, and advertisements for Rowntree's Cocoa, butter and margarine.…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 9.1 x 13.9 cm
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard of an unidentified woman standing outside a grocery store. The store is a unit on the ground level of a brick building, behind which another building is visible. The display window includes stacks of canned goods, and advertisements for Rowntree's Cocoa, butter and margarine. The sign on top of the display window was partially blocked by putting something over the area while printing the photograph. It reads, "Family Grocer [blocked letters] & Corn Dealer."
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
Accession Code
HV984.51.54
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[191-?]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-10-31
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Granville Street, Vancouver

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1069
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.4 x 9.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking north. Signs for "Fletchers Pianos" and the "Colonial Theatre" can be seen. The north shore is faintly visible across Burrard Inlet.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.4 x 9.8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Granville Street, looking north. Signs for "Fletchers Pianos" and the "Colonial Theatre" can be seen. The north shore is faintly visible across Burrard Inlet.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Buildings - Commercial
Geographic Features - Roads
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Accession Code
HV972.50.8
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1910]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-04
Photographer
Dean, H.M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
An annotation on the back of the photograph reads, "Granville St. - 1910."
Images
Less detail

Chinese man working in field

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19753
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[191-]
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified Chinese man crouched down and working in a field. A gardening hoe is leaning on his shoulder and there are young trees growing behind him. This field and orchard could be located on the Love family property.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Esther Love Stanley fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of an unidentified Chinese man crouched down and working in a field. A gardening hoe is leaning on his shoulder and there are young trees growing behind him. This field and orchard could be located on the Love family property.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Agriculture
Agriculture - Farms
Accession Code
BV022.32.175
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[191-]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-04-04
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photograph is part of Esther Love Stanley photograph album 1 (BV022.32.1)
Images
Less detail

Gordon Presbyterian Church Refreshment Tent

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35100
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment tent at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. Banners above the door of the tent read, "Gordon Presby Church Refreshments" and "Hot Meals." Other banners and penants read, "God Save the King" and "Canada." Nine women an…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
193-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1987-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment tent at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. Banners above the door of the tent read, "Gordon Presby Church Refreshments" and "Hot Meals." Other banners and penants read, "God Save the King" and "Canada." Nine women and two men are standing outside the tent. The women are wearing aprons. There is an automobile parked on the right side of the photograph.
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Structures - Tents
Names
Gordon Presbyterian Church
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Gordon Presbyterian Church Refreshment Tent

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35101
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.4 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment tent at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. A sign above the door of the tent reads, "Gordon Presby Church Refreshments." Eight women and two men are standing outside the tent. The women are wearing aprons. Pennants …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1912] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.7 x 12.4 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
193-002
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1987-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment tent at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. A sign above the door of the tent reads, "Gordon Presby Church Refreshments." Eight women and two men are standing outside the tent. The women are wearing aprons. Pennants on the tent read, "Canada."
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Structures - Tents
Names
Gordon Presbyterian Church
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Dow, Fraser and Company Limited

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription551
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1915]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 21.5 cm photogravure
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mr. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett standing on the doorway to a store with large signs for a branch of Dow, Fraser & Co. Limited for real estate, loans, and fire insurance. The trust company is advertised on the sign as having been established in 1900. There is another store in the bu…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 16.5 x 21.5 cm photogravure
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mr. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett standing on the doorway to a store with large signs for a branch of Dow, Fraser & Co. Limited for real estate, loans, and fire insurance. The trust company is advertised on the sign as having been established in 1900. There is another store in the building that is unidentified. Eric Warrington Howard Bennett was the branch manager of the Dow, Fraser company which started in Burnaby circa 1915. The store was located on the corner of McKay Avenue and the BC Electric Railway tracks. Later, a top storey was added to the building. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "Burnaby Branch Office. / E.W.H. Bennett / Manager."
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Names
Bennett, Eric Warrington Howard
Dow, Fraser and Company Limited
Geographic Access
McKay Avenue
Accession Code
HV977.77.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1915]
Media Type
Photograph
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-07-11
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Farm conveniences : a practical hand-book for the farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4874
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Halsted, Byron D. (Byron David), 1852-1918
Publication Date
1915
Call Number
630 HAL
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
HV982.23.3
Call Number
630 HAL
Author
Halsted, Byron D. (Byron David), 1852-1918
Place of Publication
New York
Publisher
Orange Judd
Publication Date
1915
Physical Description
256 p. : ill. ; 19 cm.
Inscription
a chart of letters and numbers written in pencil on front pastedown Initials W. F. M. written multiple times and in varying orders on back endpapers
Library Subject (LOC)
Agriculture
Catalogs
Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Subjects
Agriculture
Notes
Author's full name and dates is Byron David Halsted, 1852-1918
Less detail

Diseases and pests of cultivated plants : with article on sprays and spraying

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6493
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Eastham, J. W.
Ruhmann, Max H.
Publication Date
1916
Call Number
632 EAS
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
HV979.50.163
Call Number
632 EAS
Author
Eastham, J. W.
Ruhmann, Max H.
Contributor
Hoy, B.
Place of Publication
Victoria, B.C.
Publisher
Department of Agriculture -- British Columbia
Publication Date
1916
Printer
William H. Cullin
Physical Description
72 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Agriculture
Subjects
Agriculture
Notes
"Printed by authority of the Legislative Assembly" -- t.p.
Less detail

Jubilee Drug Store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35068
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.6 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Jubilee Drug Store, Jubilee Avenue and Imperial Street (later the location of Bonsor Park, 6550 Bonsor Avenue). Signs on the front of the store read, "Jubilee Drug Store / Drugs / Prescriptions / Lending Library / The Rexall Store." Signs on the side of the building …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Heyworth family subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.6 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
187-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1986-38
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of Jubilee Drug Store, Jubilee Avenue and Imperial Street (later the location of Bonsor Park, 6550 Bonsor Avenue). Signs on the front of the store read, "Jubilee Drug Store / Drugs / Prescriptions / Lending Library / The Rexall Store." Signs on the side of the building read, "Jubilee Drug Store / Films / Magazines / Violin Strings / Sargon / Puretest Drugs / Rexall Drug Store / NYAL Service Drugstore / Lending Library." A man is standing outside the store (this may be Mr. G.R. Heyworth).
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Drugstores
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Names
Jubilee Drug Store
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Jubilee Avenue
Bonsor Avenue
Street Address
6550 Bonsor Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Marlborough Area
Images
Less detail

Gordon Presbyterian Church Refreshment Building

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35102
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment building at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. Signs on the building read, "Gordon Presby Church," "Continuous Performance," "This is the Best," "Home Cooking / [illegible] just like Mother's / [Smells?] Good! Tastes B…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1918] (date of original), copied 1987
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Gordon Presbyterian Church subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
193-003
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1987-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of the exterior of the Gordon Presbyterian Church refreshment building at the Central Park Agricultural Exhibition. Signs on the building read, "Gordon Presby Church," "Continuous Performance," "This is the Best," "Home Cooking / [illegible] just like Mother's / [Smells?] Good! Tastes Better!," "Place to Dine," and "Hot Meals." Three women and a boy are outside the building.
Subjects
Exhibitions - Agricultural
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Names
Gordon Presbyterian Church
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Central Park
Imperial Street
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
Less detail

Davis-Watkins dairy equipment and supplies for those who want good machinery and good service at a reasonable price

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2263
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Davis-Watkins Dairymen's Manufacturing Company
Publication Date
1919
Call Number
637 DAV
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
HV977.29.50
Call Number
637 DAV
Author
Davis-Watkins Dairymen's Manufacturing Company
Place of Publication
Chicago
Publisher
Davis-Watkins Dairymen's Mfg. Co.
Publication Date
1919
Physical Description
1 v. (multiple pagings) : ill. : 29 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Machinery
Dairying
Catalogs
Subjects
Agriculture
Agriculture - Dairy
Less detail

Interview with Maureen Olofson by Kathy Bossort October 14, 2015 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory571
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1942-1980
Length
0:06:55
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the food sources on the farm including the garden, food animals, berry picking and bears. She also describes what her parents did after giving up the farm, opening sporting good stores on Hastings Street and then in North Vanco…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the food sources on the farm including the garden, food animals, berry picking and bears. She also describes what her parents did after giving up the farm, opening sporting good stores on Hastings Street and then in North Vancouver.
Date Range
1942-1980
Length
0:06:55
Names
Olofson, Axel
GAK Fur Farm
Subjects
Agriculture
Animals - Livestock
Animals - Bears
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Westridge Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 14, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.
Biographical Notes
Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
1:19:04
Interviewee Name
Olofson, B. Maureen
Interview Location
Maureen Olofson'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
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Maureen Olofson

Less detail

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19349
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (49 min., 21 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Honourable Raj Chouhan Location of Interview: Residence of Honourable Raj Chouhan Interview Date: December 2, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: (00:49:21) Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of an oral history interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. Raj Chouhan shares his ancestral background and personal experiences immigrating to Canada from India in 1973 and living and working in Canada as an immigrant and the organizations that he became involved with. Honourable Raj Chouhan recalls how he arrived in Burnaby with his family in 1973 and that his family worked in farming. Chouhan imparts his first hand experiences as a new immigrant working as a labourer in the farming industry and describes the unsafe and unfair working conditions that he and migrant workers faced. Chouhan conveys how this experience lead him to become an activist for better working conditions for migrant workers. This lead Chouhan and others to form the Canadian Farm Workers Union in 1980. Chouhan recollects his experiences flying from India to Canada with his wife, his first impressions after arriving in Vancouver and driving to Burnaby and what he brought with him. Chouhan explains his connections to Burnaby. Members of Chouhan's wife's family immgrated to Canada in 1957 and his wife and her three brothers joined them in 1970. Chouhan's father in law, Hardial Singh Grewal immigrated in 1957 and became president of the Sikh temple in New Westminster. Hardial Singh Grewal worked in a lumber mill in Vancouver and eventually bought a house in Burnaby. Chouhan married to his wife at the Sikh temple in New Westminster and lived in Burnaby for a period before moving to New Westminster where they could find more affordable housing. Chouhan shares that he first worked as a farm labourer in Abbotsford and then found a job in the sawmill which paid more. Chouhan describes the extreme racism and discrimination that he and other immigrants faced which lead to the formation of the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prakash Sharma. Chouhan describes this organization that he was a part of and the Canadian Farm Workers Union that were both formed in Burnaby. Chouhan shares that he moved to Victoria in 1988 to serve on the Hospital Employee's Union and moved back to the mainland in 1993 and returned to Burnaby in 2001. Chouhan reflects on the history of South Asian immigration in Canada, how many of the migrants settled in the lower mainland including Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver establishing temples in Vancouver and New Westminster which became the centre for the South Asian community. He conveys how earlier occupations were limited to farming and millwork and how over time employment opportunities and education have broadened but there is still work to do. He imparts how second generation Canadians’ experiences differ from first generations providing examples of his own daughters’ and the occupations that they are working in. Chouhan provides his insights into the South Asian Canadian experience imparting “We make history every day and that history needs to be recorded and learned from.."... “People from different communities, different backgrounds who lived in Burnaby have contributed so much and South Asians are just like another community and participated in all aspects of social life, cultural, religious, economy. I'm so proud of our community, our forefathers who had that vision to fight for our rights. I'm inspired by people who struggled so much to gain basic rights, like the right to vote". Chouhan refers to these first immigrants as “Gadri Babbas” “revolutionary old people” who were also the main motivation that lead to India becoming a free country in 1947 and for fighting for basic rights here in Canada and how they made their contributions for future generations. Chouhan expresses what he imparts to students “Do not forget your past... if you remember your past then you are much more knowledgeable. Then we know what we need for the future. If we don't know the past, we don't know what the future is going to be like. To make a better future, you have to learn from the past and improve".
History
Interviewee biography: Honourable Raj Chouhan was born in the city of Ludhiana in the Province of Punjab in India and immigrated to Canada in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Raj's family settled in Burnaby. Raj grew up in Burnaby and attended schoool. Honourable Raj Chouhan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on December 7, 2020. Honourable Chouhan is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism and has served as a director of the Hospital Employees' Union, the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C. Honourable Chouhan has also served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003 and has taught courses in Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and Collective Bargaining since 1987. Interviewer biography: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Occupations - Agricultural Labourers
Migration
Organizations - Unions
Rights
Rights - Human Rights
Agriculture
Agriculture - Farms
Government - Provincial Government
Government
Names
Chouhan, Raj
British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism
Sharma, Dr. Hari Prakash
Grewal, Hardial Singh
Canadian Farmworkers Union
Hospital Employees Union
Khalsa Diwan Society
Responsibility
Petrusa, Kate
Accession Code
BV022.29.4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

Interview with Honourable Raj Chouhan, [1957-2022] (interview content), interviewed 2 Dec. 2022

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2022_0029_0004_002.mp3
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Opening of the Knight and Day Restaurant at Boundary and Lougheed Highway

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59215
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1982]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 18.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a sign advertising the new location of Knight & Day Restaurant opening in December. There is a long line of people lining up next to the restaurant in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1982]
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 18.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1530
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2009-01
Scope and Content
Photograph of a sign advertising the new location of Knight & Day Restaurant opening in December. There is a long line of people lining up next to the restaurant in the background.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
King, Basil
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photographer's stamp on verso
Note on verso reads: "PMT 100% / page 1 / Burnaby Today"
Geographic Access
Lougheed Highway
Boundary Road
Images
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Early farm life

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary855
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Gunby, Lise, 1959-
Publication Date
c1983
Call Number
630 GUN
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0865050279
9780865050273
0865050260
9780865050266
Call Number
630 GUN
Author
Gunby, Lise, 1959-
Place of Publication
Toronto
Publisher
Crabtree Pub.
Publication Date
c1983
Series
The Early settler life series
Physical Description
80 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
Inscription
"HERITAGE VILLAGE MUSEUM / 4900 DEER LAKE AVENUE / BURNABY, B.C. V5G 3T6", stamped on inside of front cover.
Library Subject (LOC)
Agriculture
Farm life
Juvenile literature
Subjects
Agriculture
Notes
Text, photographs, and etchings describe the many chores, activities, and hardships involved in pioneer farming. Includes glossary.
Includes index.
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Farm economy : a cyclopedia of agriculture for the practical farmer and his family, including seed selection, soils and soil fertility, the garden and the orchard, concrete on the farm, drainage, dry farming, irrigation, farm building plans, weeds, insects, pests and diseases, farm mechanics, business methods and co-operation with a special department on labor saving methods for the housewife

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary4875
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Moore, R. A.
Publication Date
1917
c1915
Call Number
631 MOO
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
HV982.23.6
Call Number
631 MOO
Author
Moore, R. A.
Place of Publication
Minneapolis, Minn.
Publisher
H. L. Baldwin
Publication Date
1917
c1915
Physical Description
1247 p., 33 leaves of plates : ill. : 25 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Farm life
Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Agriculture
Subjects
Agriculture
Notes
Author's full name and dates: Moore, R. A. (Ransom Asa), 1861-1941.
Includes index.
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Sign for dog handlers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription16694
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[198-]
Collection/Fonds
Oakalla Prison collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a one page handwritten sign in red ink on yellow lined paper, reading: "These Belts are for Dog Handlers Only!" with two arrows pointing below.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Oakalla Prison collection
Series
Oakalla correctional facility records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 p.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a one page handwritten sign in red ink on yellow lined paper, reading: "These Belts are for Dog Handlers Only!" with two arrows pointing below.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre
Accession Code
BV991.45.227
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[198-]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
June 7, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
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Lillian Mann's property

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46242
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 1983
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lillian Mann's property, with signs which read such things as; "Forced Sale", "Expropriation Sale!" and Demolition Sale!" posted up along the front yard, and nailed to the large Cedar tree.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
March 1983
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 23.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1130
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lillian Mann's property, with signs which read such things as; "Forced Sale", "Expropriation Sale!" and Demolition Sale!" posted up along the front yard, and nailed to the large Cedar tree.
Subjects
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
King, Basil
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "READY TO MOVE ... Lillian Mann, the Burnaby homeowner who waged a lengthy but unsuccessful battle against expropriation of her Cameron Street home, is ready to move. But she hasn't lost her spark, as the terse messages on her front lawn indicate. The property is to become a parking lot for the Cameron Public Library."
Geographic Access
Cameron Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Images
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