This memorial granite drinking fountain is a monument to Burnaby’s municipal employees who lost their lives in the First World War. It has been relocated from its original setting to a shaded arterial pathway within the Burnaby Village Museum.
This memorial granite drinking fountain is a monument to Burnaby’s municipal employees who lost their lives in the First World War. It has been relocated from its original setting to a shaded arterial pathway within the Burnaby Village Museum.
Heritage Value
The fountain is an early civic monument with superior massing and detail, constructed of local materials by local stonemason William Williamson. It was erected by the Burnaby Civic Employees Union (now CUPE Local 23) in 1923, on Burnaby’s original Municipal Hall grounds located at Kingsway and Edmonds Street, to honour their members who lost their lives in the First World War, commemorated by an engraved memorial at the top of the fountain. It signifies an important connection with the early strength and prominence of the civic labour union in Burnaby, as this was a memorial erected by the union members themselves, rather than by the civic government.
Many war memorials were constructed across Canada after the end of the First World War, however, most are static, inviting passive contemplation. This memorial is unusual in its combination of functions; its use as a drinking fountain invites active participation. The memorial also includes a stone drinking bowl for dogs at the bottom left of the memorial, further illustrating the daily functional use of the fountain.
The heritage value for this fountain also lies in its interpretive value within the Burnaby Village Museum. The site is an important cultural feature for the interpretation of Burnaby’s heritage to the public. The fountain was moved to the Burnaby Village Museum in 1974.
Defining Elements
The character defining features of the Burnaby Civic Employees Union Memorial Fountain include its:
- distinctive form with central water fountain
- construction of rough-dressed local B.C. granite
- engraved memorial at the top
- carved emblematic maple leaf
- drinking fountain function
- dog drinking bowl
Fonds consists of records created by the Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23. Records include Constitutions and Bylaws (1961-1975); documents regarding contract negotiations, the "Annual Meeting" in 1962; a Shop Steward's course booklet (1963) and a document titled "History and Comments" of…
Fonds consists of records created by the Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23. Records include Constitutions and Bylaws (1961-1975); documents regarding contract negotiations, the "Annual Meeting" in 1962; a Shop Steward's course booklet (1963) and a document titled "History and Comments" of Local No. 23 written by John Murton.
History
The Burnaby Civic Employees' Union Local No. 23 was chartered in 1919 by the Trades and Labour Congress with an outside labour force of approximately 250 employees of the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. The employees' union was formed under the chairmanship of former engineering clerk, Dick Etches. Mary England was president of the union between 1922 and 1923 and secretary between 1924 and 1934.
On September 13, 1956 the union was chartered by the National Union of Public Employees after being transferred from it's original charter given by the Trades and Labour Congress. The Union is affiliated with the National Union of Public Employees (British Columbia Division), (formerly the Joint Council of Public Employees) and the B.C. Federation of Public Employees from 1943.
Item consists of "Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23 Constitution and Bylaws" booklet as amended to October 1975. The booklet was chartered by Canadian Union of Public Employees 1963. The booklet contains various information about the Burnaby Civic Employees Local Union.
Item consists of "Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union No. 23 Constitution and Bylaws" booklet as amended to October 1975. The booklet was chartered by Canadian Union of Public Employees 1963. The booklet contains various information about the Burnaby Civic Employees Local Union.
Photograph of four civic employees at the Burnaby Civic Employees Union picnic. John McEdwards is identified on the far right of the photograph, seated on a bench next to three unidentified women, water can be seen in the background.
Photograph of four civic employees at the Burnaby Civic Employees Union picnic. John McEdwards is identified on the far right of the photograph, seated on a bench next to three unidentified women, water can be seen in the background.
Photograph of a group of men and women gathered for the Burnaby Civic Employees Union picnic. One of the men is identified as 'Dick'. The group in the foreground is seated on a bench with people looking over a railing in behind them, mountains and water can be seen in the background.
Photograph of a group of men and women gathered for the Burnaby Civic Employees Union picnic. One of the men is identified as 'Dick'. The group in the foreground is seated on a bench with people looking over a railing in behind them, mountains and water can be seen in the background.
Item consists of a typewritten bound copy of the Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union #23 Shop Steward's Course booklet. The booklet is divided into three sections for three different lectures conducted by Gordon Adamson and taking place on January 15, 1963; January 29, 1963 and February 1963. The …
Item consists of a typewritten bound copy of the Burnaby Civic Employees' Local Union #23 Shop Steward's Course booklet. The booklet is divided into three sections for three different lectures conducted by Gordon Adamson and taking place on January 15, 1963; January 29, 1963 and February 1963. The booklet includes an Acknowledgment on the first page.