Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing in front of a sign which reads "Welcome / 50th Anniversary / 4th Guide Company". Guiders in back row are identified from L to R as: Mrs. Dumka (Lt.), Mrs. Florence Underhill (Div. Comm.), Mrs. Kent (Dist. Comm), Mrs. Vivian E.S. Henderson (Area Co…
Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing in front of a sign which reads "Welcome / 50th Anniversary / 4th Guide Company". Guiders in back row are identified from L to R as: Mrs. Dumka (Lt.), Mrs. Florence Underhill (Div. Comm.), Mrs. Kent (Dist. Comm), Mrs. Vivian E.S. Henderson (Area Comm.); Front row L to R: Mrs. Alice Thomas (Ellett), Mrs. Meta-Fay Miskell (Peden), Miss May Kelly, Miss Bessie Kelly, Mrs. Bristow (original guide captain).
Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing in front of a sign which reads "Welcome / 50th Anniversary / 4th Guide Company". Guiders are identified as: Center--Mrs. Bristow (original guide captain). L to R: Miss Bessie Kelly, Mrs. Meta-Fay Miskell (Peden), Miss May Kelly, Mrs. Alice Thomas…
Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing in front of a sign which reads "Welcome / 50th Anniversary / 4th Guide Company". Guiders are identified as: Center--Mrs. Bristow (original guide captain). L to R: Miss Bessie Kelly, Mrs. Meta-Fay Miskell (Peden), Miss May Kelly, Mrs. Alice Thomas (Ellett). "These Ladies were guides with the original company".
Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing with a cake which reads "50th Anniversary / 4th Burnaby Royal Guide Company". Guiders are identified L to R Miss Jean Simmons, Mrs. Dorothy Bristow (original guide leader), Mrs. Ann Kent.
Photograph of members of 4th Guide Company standing with a cake which reads "50th Anniversary / 4th Burnaby Royal Guide Company". Guiders are identified L to R Miss Jean Simmons, Mrs. Dorothy Bristow (original guide leader), Mrs. Ann Kent.
Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Program Education Coordinator Ashley Jones and presented by Museum Interpreter and blacksmiths, Eric Damer ad Lorne Gray. The webinar is titled "50 Years of Blacksmithing at BVM". The webinar is the sixth in …
Date of Presentation: Tuesday, September 29, 2022. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Total Number of tracks: 1
Total Length of all tracks: 94 min., 55 sec.
Recording Device: Zoom video communication platform
Original recording of 94 min., 55 sec.was edited to 89 min., 21 sec. for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a video recording of a live Zoom webinar hosted by Burnaby Village Museum Program Education Coordinator Ashley Jones and presented by Museum Interpreter and blacksmiths, Eric Damer ad Lorne Gray. The webinar is titled "50 Years of Blacksmithing at BVM". The webinar is the sixth in a series of six webinars presented in partnership by Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Public Library. The live webinar was also made available on the Burnaby Village Museum's facebook page. Community members were invited to participate by bringing questions during the interactive online sessions.
The session opens with the host Ashley Jones, providing introductions. Following the introduction, the presentation begins with Eric Damer and Lorne Gray’s slide presentation titled “50 years of Blacksmithing at Burnaby Village Museum”. The presentation is an historical exploration of the blacksmith shop through images and commentary from these two long-standing museum blacksmiths.
Eric and Lorne's presentation is organized into themes beginning with “The Age of Nostalgia” where they discuss the implementation of the original Burnaby Village Museum blacksmithing shop and live exhibit with a working blacksmith when the museum opened in November 1971. They comment on the original design of the forge and other components implemented into the design of the blacksmith shop, stereotypes of blacksmiths and various items that were forged on site in the blacksmith shop. “The Age of Accuracy” looks at changes to the Burnaby Village Museum’s programming and exhibits in the 1980s which included focusing more on the history of Burnaby and upgrading some of the components in the blacksmith shop including blowers, tools, forge design and costuming. Eric and Lorne comment on the history of Burnaby blacksmith, Frank Wagner who operated as a blacksmith in Burnaby “Wagner & Son” on Kingsway. Frank was a trained machinist, farrier and an automotive blacksmith who patented and manufactured the “Wagner Triple Spring Bumper”. With this information, the Burnaby Village Museum changed the name of the blacksmith shop to reflect the history of Burnaby blacksmith Frank Wagner. In “The Age of Diversity” Eric and Lorne talk about a shift in the 1990s when the staffing of the blacksmith shop was diversified to include women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. These changes as well as an increased interest in artistic blacksmithing also lead to updates in Burnaby Village Museum’s blacksmith training procedures and interpretation, increased course offerings in blacksmithing and a renovated blacksmith shop which included new forges and equipment as well as an improved viewing area. Eric and Lorne talk about specifics regarding blacksmithing techniques and equipment and improvements to make this exhibit more accessible.
Their presentation is followed by a short video highlighing Burnaby Village Museum interpreters who have worked as blacksmiths at Burnaby Village Museum. Each person shares their own perspectives on their experiences working as a blacksmith and interacting with the public.
In the last part of the webinar, Eric and Lorne answer questions from attendees and further reflect and comment on their own experiences working as blacksmiths, various tools and techniques used and blacksmithing course offerings at Burnaby Village Museum.
History
Host biography:
Ashley Jones is the Burnaby Village Museum Education Programmer, responsible for the development and administration of school and public programs at BVM. She has a Master of Arts degree in History and is passionate about creating hands-on programming that promotes historical and environmental literacy.
Presenters 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.
Lorne Gray has a BA with a major in the History of Science and Technology. He took up blacksmithing as a hobby when he was promoted to middle management and had to start hitting things. He was hired by Burnaby Village Museum as a blacksmith to fill in during the Christmas season of 2001. He has attended several blacksmithing conferences and taken classes with both an artist blacksmith and a journeyman blacksmith. On the weekends, you’ll find him teaching many of the museum’s public blacksmithing courses. He also has a steam ticket that permits him to run the museum’s steam boiler and stationery steam engines.
Photograph of a two people (assumed to be Frank and Mary Intihar) sitting on a couch with a cake on the table in front of them. Believed to be taken inside 4169 Keefer Street (Frances Street) Burnaby.
Photograph of a two people (assumed to be Frank and Mary Intihar) sitting on a couch with a cake on the table in front of them. Believed to be taken inside 4169 Keefer Street (Frances Street) Burnaby.
Photograph of acting-mayor Hugh Ladner onstage at the Burnaby Rhododendron Festival. The Rhodendron Festival was part of the Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations.
Photograph of acting-mayor Hugh Ladner onstage at the Burnaby Rhododendron Festival. The Rhodendron Festival was part of the Burnaby Centennial '71 celebrations.
Photograph of acting-mayor Hugh Ladner giving a speech at the Burnaby Centennial pioneer celebration, taking place at the Burnaby Central Senior Secondary School. Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee chair James Barrington is seated at the table.
Photograph of acting-mayor Hugh Ladner giving a speech at the Burnaby Centennial pioneer celebration, taking place at the Burnaby Central Senior Secondary School. Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee chair James Barrington is seated at the table.
Item consists of a copy of an advertising mock up which reads "Chinese Mandarin Oranges" "you'll love the flavor... you'll like the price". Mock up includes an illustration of mandarin oranges next to a cardboard box.
Item consists of a copy of an advertising mock up which reads "Chinese Mandarin Oranges" "you'll love the flavor... you'll like the price". Mock up includes an illustration of mandarin oranges next to a cardboard box.
Item consists of a one page advertising flyer and order form to customers of W.H. Malkins "1979 Advertising program on Chinese Mandarin Oranges". The flyer includes the title in English and Chinese "Chinese Mandarin Oranges".
Item consists of a one page advertising flyer and order form to customers of W.H. Malkins "1979 Advertising program on Chinese Mandarin Oranges". The flyer includes the title in English and Chinese "Chinese Mandarin Oranges".
Aerial view of Sei Moon village in Zhongshan county, China.
History
The Hong family run Hop-On Farm on Marine Drive in Burnaby. Many Hong family members worked on the farm including parents Sui Ha Hong and Chan Kow Hong, grandfather Gay Tim Hong, and uncles. The Hong family's great-grandfather was Sui Wing Hong The Hong family had seven children, oldest to youngest: Pauline, Josephine, Catherine, Norine, Gary, Darlene, and Marlene.
Item consists of a recording of part one in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts about the history of Chinese-Canadian farming in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Part one is titled “A Family Farm”. The podcasts were created by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Faculty of Land an…
Podcasts hosts: Rose Wu; Wei Yan Yeong
Persons from recorded extracts: Denise Fong; Josephine Chow
Music: prod. riddiman
Podcast Date: October 2020
Total Number of tracks: 1
Total Length of all tracks: 00:13:57 min
Photograph info: Store front of Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co in Victoria, B.C., 1975. BV017.7.191
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of part one in a series of three “Back to the Roots” podcasts about the history of Chinese-Canadian farming in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Part one is titled “A Family Farm”. The podcasts were created by students Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong from the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia Faculty and while student interns at Burnaby Village Museum. In this series the students connect their knowledge of food systems to their shared Chinese heritage in order to discover how Chinese Canadian history is rooted in their local food systems.
00:00-02:21
The podcast opens with Wei Yan Yeong and Rose Wu introducing themselves and their topic- the Chinese Canadian experience in Burnaby and the people who have made important contributions to the city’s development. “A Family Farm” talks about Chinese-owned businesses which are family run.
“The family-oriented nature of Chinese-owned businesses also extend to many of the early (and current) Chinese-owned farms in the Burnaby Big Bend area. When Chinese men first began farming in BC in the 1860s, a lot of them worked as labourers because they weren’t allowed to own land. After World War II many of these farmers were allowed to purchase lots, thanks to the Veterans Land Grant. These grants allowed returning veterans to purchase small parcels of land with government loans. Eventually, these men would start families on the farm, and many Chinese-owned farms became family-operated businesses where every member, male, female, child, and extended relatives were enlisted to work the grounds. And it was hard work, often from dawn to dusk, 6-7 days a week.”
02:23 – 07:50
This portion includes excerpts from Oral History interview with Josephine Chow (nee Hong) of Hop On Farms in the Burnaby Big Bend area. The interview was conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher Denise Fong. Josephine recalls growing up on the family farm with her six siblings. She tells of how the family pulled together money to purchase twelve acres along Marine Drive in 1951, her family’s background, daily life on the farm , responsibilities on the farm for her and her siblings and of how her mother had to balance working on the farm and providing for a family of ten to twelve people.
07:51 – 08:10
In this portion, hosts comment and reflect on their own experiences. “While it’s likely that a lot of this was done out of necessity and not being able to afford additional paid labourers, having grown up in Chinese households ourselves, we can definitely understand the rationale for these family-operated businesses and how it connects back to the Chinese understanding of family and kinship.”
08:11 – 09:06
In this portion, Rose and Wei provide information on the roots of the Chinese character for family “jia” in mandarin or “gah” in Cantonese. They explain that the term family is composed of two parts: the upper element is like a roof, symbolizing shelter, and the bottom part represents a pig which symbolizes food, whereby the Chinese character for family represents that of a farm.
They provide a quote from the writings of Francois de Martin-Donos “In ancient China, the farm is an enterprise, a shelter that insures one food and work. The farm is a place to rely on, but in return, needs to be maintained, including a set of responsibilities. In other words, “family” is the insurance of a stable life.”
09:07 – 10:27
In this portion, the hosts speak about how traditional Chinese thought is heavily influenced by the teachings of Confucius and Confucius philosophy. They explain how Confucius emphasized five sets of human relationships that form the basis for society: ruler and minister, husband and wife, parents and child, sibling and sibling, friend and friend. Of these five, three are familial relationships also known as Filial piety – the respect and care for one’s familial superiors (such as parents, elders, and ancestors). They speak of how this is one of Confucianism’s main teachings and in this respect caring for family members is seen as a moral obligation. In China housing arrangements are in the form of siheyuan”s — a type of residence that featured a courtyard surrounded on all four sides with buildings. These traditionally housed one large extended family if they were wealthy enough.
10:28 – 13:08
In this portion, hosts provide further information on Josephine Chow’s family experience working and living on the “Hop On” family farm through the decades. An excerpt from the interview with Josephine Chow conducted by Denise Fong is included. In this excerpt, Josephine reflects on her past experiences on the farm and her present day experiences of her siblings running the farm.
13:09 -13:56
Final summary, credits and acknowledgements.
History
Podcast hosts, Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong are University of British Columbia students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and student interns at Burnaby Village Museum.
See also Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong February 7, 2020 - BV020.6.1
Compilation of Research Resources used by authors Rose Wu and Wei Yan Yeong include:
Why is family important in China?
https://medium.com/@francois_dmd/why-is-family-so-important-in-china-1617b13a67
Burnaby Village Museum - Interview with Josephine Chow by Denise Fong Feb. 7, 2020. BV020.6.1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumsoundrecording12337
Covered Roots: The History of Vancouver's Chinese Farms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4WHS2Uf3JU
Burnaby Village Museum Shares Chinese-Canadian Farming History This Summer https://westcoastfood.ca/burnaby-village-museum-shares-chinese-canadian-farming-history-this-summer/
Chinese Market Gardeners in the City of Burnaby BC Continue to Practice Urban Agriculture https://cityfarmer.info/chinese-market-gardeners-in-the-city-of-burnaby-bc-continue-to-practice-urban-agriculture/
Chinese Market Gardening in BC https://www.bcfoodhistory.ca/chinese-market-gardening-bc/
Photograph of members of the Love family wearing their B.C. Centennial medallions identified from left to right; George R. Love, Martha "Dot" (Love) Brandrith, Esther (Love) Stanley, Phoebe (Love) Feedham, Sarah (Love) Parker and Edith "Minnie" (Love) McKenzie. Photograph appeared in the Province n…
Photograph of members of the Love family wearing their B.C. Centennial medallions identified from left to right; George R. Love, Martha "Dot" (Love) Brandrith, Esther (Love) Stanley, Phoebe (Love) Feedham, Sarah (Love) Parker and Edith "Minnie" (Love) McKenzie. Photograph appeared in the Province newspaper on November 27, 1971.
Handwritten text on label attached to the back reads: "A. GENERATION OF LOVE / Wearing their B.C. Centennial medallions are six members of / the same family, who have all lived in B.C. prior to 1896. / From left are George R. Love 91 Mrs Martha Brandrith 82 / Mrs F C (Esther) Stanley 75 Mrs Phoebe Feedham 77 / Mrs Sarah Parker 79 Mrs Minnie MacKenzie 86 / Date Picture taken Nov 27. 1971".
Stamped on the back: "CHUCK JONES / PROVINCE PHOTO".
There is a group of people seated and standing .They are all in costumes. There is a window behind them.
History
Mrs Bate was a church choir singer. In 1976 she was asked to help form the Confederation Singers at the North Burnaby Confederation Seniors Centre. She started the choir and conducted it until her retirement in 1986. The costume, as seen in several photographs and also in the Burnaby Vilalge Museum collection, was made by members of the choir who made similar 1890's period costumes for themselves. The choir sang in seniors centres and at special events at Century Park (now known as the Burnaby Village Museum). They were also invited to sing at Government House in Victoria.
The Confederation Singers in 1890s costumes. The front row is men sitting, there are three rows of woman standing behind. There is a man and woman standing together to the left of the group.
The Confederation Singers in 1890s costumes. The front row is men sitting, there are three rows of woman standing behind. There is a man and woman standing together to the left of the group.
History
Mrs Bate was a church choir singer. In 1976 she was asked to help form the Confederation Singers at the North Burnaby Confederation Seniors Centre. She started the choir and conducted it until her retirement in 1986. The costume, as seen in several photographs and also in the Burnaby Vilalge Museum collection, was made by members of the choir who made similar 1890's period costumes for themselves. The choir sang in seniors centres and at special events at Century Park (now known as the Burnaby Village Museum). They were also invited to sing at Government House in Victoria.
Photograph of a group of air cadets standing near the flag pole at the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. Governor General Roland Michener is looking on from the left.
Photograph of a group of air cadets standing near the flag pole at the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971. Governor General Roland Michener is looking on from the left.
Photograph of a group of air cadets standing near the flag pole at the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971.
Photograph of a group of air cadets standing near the flag pole at the official opening of Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum), November 19, 1971.
Photograph of a woman standing in a doorway inside Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co., 1620 Government Street, Victoria. Behind the woman is a staircase as part of another room. Some boxes and wooden poles and shovels are resting against a wall to the right of the lady. Some crumpled paper are lying on…
Photograph of a woman standing in a doorway inside Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co., 1620 Government Street, Victoria. Behind the woman is a staircase as part of another room. Some boxes and wooden poles and shovels are resting against a wall to the right of the lady. Some crumpled paper are lying on the floor. Some light exposure on the left side of the photograph is noticeable.
Photograph of (at left) Alan S. Gentles, the General Manager of Dominion Bridge Company from in a brown-checkered suit and John S. Prescott, Manager of Dominion Bridge Company in a grey-checkered suit (with a name sticker on the lapel) at the "Twenty-five Year Club Dinner." Both men are standing b…
Photograph of (at left) Alan S. Gentles, the General Manager of Dominion Bridge Company from in a brown-checkered suit and John S. Prescott, Manager of Dominion Bridge Company in a grey-checkered suit (with a name sticker on the lapel) at the "Twenty-five Year Club Dinner." Both men are standing behind a table set with cups, glasses and a wine glass full of cigarettes. Alan S. Gentles was General Manager from 1960 to 1976 and John Prescott was Manager from 1949 to 1976.
Note in black felt pen on recto of photograph reads: "25 YR CLUB DINNER/ 1976"
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Left MR ALAN S. GENTLES GEN MGR 1960-1976 / Right JOHN S PRECOT [sic] MGR 1949-1976 he closed the plant"