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- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards 1
- Buildings - Commercial - Theatres 2
- Events - May Day 2
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- Events - Royal Visits 1
- Geographic Features - Parks 2
- Holidays - Christmas 1
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Person / Organization
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Burnaby's COVID-19 drive thru testing site
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15391
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 27 Apr. 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (17 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (17 sec.) : digital, 24 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip (no sound) of the COVID-19 drive thru testing site in Central Park parking lot in Burnaby. Orange traffic posts, wayfinding signs and white tents are set up in the parking lot and staff are wearing protective face masks.
- Subjects
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Geographic Features - Parks
- Public Services - Health Services
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Imperial Street
- Accession Code
- BV021.2.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 27 Apr. 2020
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Video
Burnaby's COVID-19 drive thru testing site, 27 Apr. 2020
Burnaby's COVID-19 drive thru testing site, 27 Apr. 2020
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2021_0002_0008_001.mp4Interview with John Kirbyson by Kathy Bossort September 28, 2015 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory559
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1980-2005
- Length
- 0:14:23
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about John Kirbyson’s impression of the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land use and control on Burnaby Mountain, and Parks Dept. interests in the negotiations and agreement. He talks about how changing public values and perception of safety issues …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about John Kirbyson’s impression of the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land use and control on Burnaby Mountain, and Parks Dept. interests in the negotiations and agreement. He talks about how changing public values and perception of safety issues affects parks management.
- Date Range
- 1980-2005
- Length
- 0:14:23
- Names
- Simon Fraser University
- Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
- Mancinelli, Stephen J. "Steve"
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Central Park
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- September 28, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with John Kirbyson conducted by Kathy Bossort. John Kirbyson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about John Kirbyson’s education and career as parks planner for the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, and the development of the 1999 Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area Management Plan. The interview explores how parks management balances environmental and recreational values and safety, and the importance of good guidelines and public input in the parks planning process. John Kirbyson also talks about recreational activities and various developments on Burnaby Mountain in the 1990s, such as the Kamui Mintara sculptures.
- Biographical Notes
- John Kirbyson was born in Vancouver in 1954, to Arnold and Winnifred Kirbyson. After several years spent in Winnipeg and Calgary, the Kirbyson family moved to Hunter Street in Burnaby in 1969 where John remembers living near the City’s nursery. John earned his BSc degree at SFU in Physical Geography (1973-1978) and then worked for the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services between 1978 and 2005, where he moved from labourer to management positions. Supported by the City, he returned to SFU to earn his Masters degree in the School of Resource and Environment Management in 1991, his thesis being on restoration of Deer Lake. He was Manager of Parks Planning, Design and Development in the 1990s at the time that land on Burnaby Mountain was transferred from SFU to the City of Burnaby, and had the opportunity to direct the development of the first management plan for the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. From 2005 to 2010 John was Manager of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Dept. in Penticton, after which he has worked as an environmental consultant for Lees & Associates Landscape Architects and Planners. He is married to wife Linda and has three children: Linnaea, Jeremy and Colin.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 1:33:43
- Interviewee Name
- Kirbyson, John W.
- Interview Location
- John Kirbyson's son's home in Langley
- 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 four of interview with John Kirbyson
Track four of interview with John Kirbyson
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-002/MSS196-002_Track_4.mp3Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10658
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment of unidentified women and men lawn bowling at Central Park in Burnaby. Buildings along Kingsway and Boundary Road are visible in the background.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 9 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment of unidentified women and men lawn bowling at Central Park in Burnaby. Buildings along Kingsway and Boundary Road are visible in the background.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Sports - Lawn Bowling
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Boundary Road
- Kingsway
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.6.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Photographer
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.6)
Images
Video
Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park, [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park, [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0006_004.mp4Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10659
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 22 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment of women and men lawn bowling at Central Park in Burnaby. Buildings along Kingsway and Boundary Road are visible in the background. Sydney Swan (wearing glasses and vest) is identified as one of the bowlers.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 22 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment of women and men lawn bowling at Central Park in Burnaby. Buildings along Kingsway and Boundary Road are visible in the background. Sydney Swan (wearing glasses and vest) is identified as one of the bowlers.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Sports - Lawn Bowling
- Names
- Swan, Sydney
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Boundary Road
- Kingsway
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.6.7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.6)
- Similar footage of lawn bowling - see BV019.18.6.8
Images
Video
Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park, [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney Film 4 - Lawn bowling at Central Park, [196-] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0006_007.mp4Royal Visit
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85203
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 52 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the Royal Visit from King George VI and Queen consort, Elizabeth. Boy Scouts and members of the community can be seen preparing for a roadside view of the motorcade and Mr. Digney can be seen pacing in his gardens at the Oak T…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 52 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the Royal Visit from King George VI and Queen consort, Elizabeth. Boy Scouts and members of the community can be seen preparing for a roadside view of the motorcade and Mr. Digney can be seen pacing in his gardens at the Oak Theatre. As the royal couple (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) drive by the crowd on Kingsway, they can be seen in a automobile identified as a McLaughlin model 45 Extra Special series, with Queen Elizabeth holding a white umbrella. RCMP officers are seen on a motorcycle with a side car, while dignitaries and officials in automobiles accompany the royal couple as the crowd waves red flags and looks on as the cars drive off.
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Events - Royal Visits
- Buildings - Commercial - Theatres
- Recreational Activities - Theatre
- Names
- Oak Theatre
- Digney, Andy
- Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002
- George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Royal Visit, 1939
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85469
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. Th…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. The play closely resembles the folk tale 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' (also known as The Pan Piper, the Rat Catcher of Hamelin).
- Names
- Oak Theatre
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Storage location refers to location of DVD containing this clip. See 562-002 notes for more information. Additional copies of video file stored in Permanent drive accession folder.
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.m4vDigney family home at Christmas
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85470
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
- Subjects
- Holidays - Christmas
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Digney family home at Christmas, 1939
Digney family home at Christmas, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-6.m4vPloughing snow at the Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85471
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Subjects
- Natural Phenomena - Snow
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-7.m4vBurnaby Sports Day
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1939]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.
- Subjects
- Events - Parades
- Occupations
- Occupations - Labourers
- Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
- Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Street Address
- 3883 Imperial Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.m4vThrough the Lens of Andy Digney
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10099
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film featuring a compilation of film footage created by Andy Digney that was edited and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. Highlights within this film compilaton include the constru…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Material Details
- Research and Narration: Lisa Codd
- Editing and Audio Recording: Matthew Ball
- Special thanks to Paul Digney
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a short film featuring a compilation of film footage created by Andy Digney that was edited and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. Highlights within this film compilaton include the construction and events held at the Oak Theatre; Royal visit motorcade of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; Sports Day at Central Park; Gymcana event at Burnaby Lake Riding Stables; lawn bowling at Central Park; a Depression-era May Day workers’ parade in 1936; May Day celebrations in Burnaby; visits to locations throughout the Lower Mainland, including Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and boat trip up Burrard Inlet; the Digney Speedway; the Digney family at their home on Bonsor Avenue and the Digney Bowling Alley.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Digney Speedway
- Codd, Lisa
- Oak Theatre
- Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Central Park
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Related Material
- See also the City of Burnaby Archives "Digney Family fonds" MI catalogue 562.003 for film masters
- Notes
- Title based on contents
- City of Burnaby Archives holds the original Digney film masters (562.003) that this narrated segment was disseminated from. See Digney family fonds
Images
Video
Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
Through the Lens of Andy Digney, [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0001_001.mp4Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory19
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1932-1936
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's decision to join the Army of the Common Good and its Cooperative (CG Co-op) as well as the South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed. Harry discusses his father's work as caretaker at Central Park and helping to deal with wood cutting per…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's decision to join the Army of the Common Good and its Cooperative (CG Co-op) as well as the South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed. Harry discusses his father's work as caretaker at Central Park and helping to deal with wood cutting permits and land clearing by men who were on script.
- Date Range
- 1932-1936
- Photo Info
- Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Names
- Central Park
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Geographic Access
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- July / August 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 1:17:56
- Interviewee Name
- O'Brien, Harry
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with W.H.
Track two of interview with W.H.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-25/100-13-25_Track_2.mp3