Doreen Lawson fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950-2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 18 cm of textual records + approx. 1000 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records created and received by Doreen Lawson during her career as Parks Commissioner (1965-1971), Burnaby City Council member (1972-1985, 1990-1999) and environmental advocate following her retirement from Council in 1999. Records include election campaign materials, congratulat…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1950-2002
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 18 cm of textual records + approx. 1000 photographs
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2003-30
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records created and received by Doreen Lawson during her career as Parks Commissioner (1965-1971), Burnaby City Council member (1972-1985, 1990-1999) and environmental advocate following her retirement from Council in 1999. Records include election campaign materials, congratulatory letters and correspondence, community speeches and slideshow presentations regarding the conservation of Burnaby Lake, the administrative papers of the Burnaby Centennial Rhododendron and Spring Flower Show Society, and photographs of Burnaby waterways and wildlife.
- History
- Doreen Anne Fowler Lawson was born July 8, 1928, to Eva Barnhill and Leonard Fowler. Her parents met in Alberta but decided to move to Vancouver where they got married and Doreen was born. The family moved to the north side of Claude Avenue in Burnaby when Doreen was a few months old. In 1931, they moved to a house with an acre of land directly across the street from their first house.
- When Doreen was six, her family moved to Collingwood, Vancouver, near where her father grew up. This is where her brother Ron was born. The family moved again to County Line in Langley Prairie in 1944, which is where Doreen met Edward Lawson, her future husband. Soon after, they moved to a seven-acre plot in Burquitlam. Ed and Doreen Lawson’s eldest daughter, Linda, was born in 1954. Their second daughter, Wendy, was born in 1959 and their youngest, Lisa, was born in 1961. They lived in the Brentwood area, where all three daughters attended Brentwood Elementary School. Linda went on to Alpha Secondary School.
- In 1945, Doreen began her first of several office jobs, and in the early 1950s she became the first woman to be elected into a vice-president position within the BC Trade Union Congress (now the BC Federation of Labour).
- Doreen Lawson had a long and prolific political career, starting as Parks Commissioner in 1965, and serving as its chair from 1969 to 1971. She was instrumental in the selection and promotion of the rhododendron as the official flower of Burnaby in 1966. In 1971, she was elected to Burnaby City Council and, in 1972, Doreen proposed that Council take action to declare Burnaby Lake a wildlife sanctuary. After a 10-year campaign, she was able to convince Council to declare the park “a nature conservation area.” She put forward a policy of preservation for creeks and streams, as well as a proposal to preserve trees in subdivisions, both of which were adopted by Council. Doreen continued to serve on Council until 1985, during which time she initiated and chaired the Burnaby Information Committee, which designed the present Burnaby logo (and official flower pins) and established the Information Burnaby Newsletter. In 1979 Doreen Lawson won Vancouver Natural History Society’s Frank Sanford Award.
- In 1984, Doreen was elected the first woman president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Doreen ran as a BC Liberal Party candidate in the new Federal Riding of Burnaby in 1979, and from 1985 to 1987, she served as the Executive Director of the British Columbia Liberal Party. As the B.C. Liberal Party Executive Director, her major responsibility was to work with both the Federal and Provincial Associations in implementing riding organizations and fundraising programs in preparation for election time. In the 1980s, Doreen was an active guest lecturer at Burnaby Elementary and High Schools as well as at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Doreen was active in a variety of community clubs and organizations including: the Burnaby Library Board; Greater Vancouver Spinners and Weavers Guild; and Vancouver Natural History Society. She was an executive member of the Burnaby-New Westminster Canada Summer Games; the Burnaby Division of the United Way; Information Burnaby Committee; and the Brentwood Parent Teachers Association; as well as serving as the President of the Burnaby Voters Association from 1988-1990.
- In 1990, Doreen was elected back to Burnaby Council and put forward the rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake which she saw completed before her final year on Council in 1999. Doreen continued to be a strong environmental advocate for the protection and rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake after she retired from council.
- Doreen Lawson died October 11, 2003.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- MSS071, photo catalogue 605, photo catalogue 618
Less detail
ALRT - Night Tour
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 40 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Johnson Terminal drivers hauling Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT) rail beds from Delta, BC to Burnaby, BC. Rail beds are lowered onto trucks, driven overnight to Burnaby, and installed onto tall cement supports via cranes to create elevated guideways for the SkyT…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1984
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 40 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-032
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Johnson Terminal drivers hauling Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT) rail beds from Delta, BC to Burnaby, BC. Rail beds are lowered onto trucks, driven overnight to Burnaby, and installed onto tall cement supports via cranes to create elevated guideways for the SkyTrain system.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Rail
- Transportation - Trucks
- Construction Tools and Equipment
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from label on original slide cases
- Note in blue ink on card slotted into slide pocket on slide sheet reads: "Exerpts [sic] from an all night ride from Delta to Burnaby with Johnson Terminal drivers hauling ALRT rail beds. / 1984"
Less detail
Barnet Marine Park
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 9, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 18 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Barnet Marine Park, including Barnet Beach pilings, overpass and people preparing kayaks on the shore.
Barnet Marine Park
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 25, 1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 20 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Barnet Marine Park, including the Barnet Beach pilings, people exploring the rocky shoreline and a woman sitting on a bench in the park.
Beaver Creek - Royal Oak Avenue
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 9, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 13 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Beaver Creek and Royal Oak Avenue taken during the Royal Oak Avenue Realignment project.
Burnaby Central - North - N. Shore Mtns.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 1998 - June 1998
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of landscape photographs of North Burnaby with snow-covered North Shore mountains visible in the distance. The photographs were taken from the Central Burnaby area.
Burnaby Lake
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 1982 - April 1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 17 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists photographs of Burnaby Lake taken in late winter. The foliage around the lake is primarily brown and wilted with the first new growth of Spring just emerging. Canadian geese swim on the lake in the foreground of several of the photographs, with snow-covered mountains and the Loughee…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 1982 - April 1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 17 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-019
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists photographs of Burnaby Lake taken in late winter. The foliage around the lake is primarily brown and wilted with the first new growth of Spring just emerging. Canadian geese swim on the lake in the foreground of several of the photographs, with snow-covered mountains and the Lougheed Mall skyline visible in the distance. Also included in the file is one photograph of the forest alongside the Brunette River.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Animals - Birds
- Plants - Trees
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from label on slide sheets photographs originally housed in
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Lake
- Brunette River
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail
Burnaby Lake / Barn Swallows at Viewing Stands
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 3, 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two photographs of a pair of barn swallows perched on the wooden railing of the viewing stands located at Burnaby Lake.
Burnaby Lake birds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1982-1994
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 54 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Burnaby Lake birds compiled by Doreen Lawson. Species depicted include: American coot, pied-billed grebe, barrows and common goldeneye, green-winged teal, wood duck, mallard duck, dowitcher, bittern moved beak, pileated woodpecker, and pigeon.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1982-1994
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 54 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-003
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Burnaby Lake birds compiled by Doreen Lawson. Species depicted include: American coot, pied-billed grebe, barrows and common goldeneye, green-winged teal, wood duck, mallard duck, dowitcher, bittern moved beak, pileated woodpecker, and pigeon.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Animals - Birds
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-003-1 : 618-003-4 originally housed in read: "American Coots".
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-5 : 618-003-26 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Duck-like Birds".
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-27 : 618-003-31 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Duck-like Birds - Local".
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheets photographs 618-003-43 : 618-003-51 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Shore Birds / Long Billed Dowitchers".
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail
Burnaby Lake facing north
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 12.5 cm x 18 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby Lake facing north, with the Lions mountains visible in the distance.
Burnaby Lake / Goose Egg Addling
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 17, 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 19 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of a group of BCIT students and their instructor addling Canadian geese eggs on Burnaby Lake. Addling is a wildlife management practice used to limit flock growth and stabilize bird populations. Members of the group are depicted wearing orange life jackets and travell…
Burnaby Lake Pilot Dredging Project
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 1999 - September 1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 19 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs documenting the Burnaby Lake Pilot Dredging Project undertaken by the City of Burnaby between August 20 and September 16, 1999. Photographs depict silt-laded water in Still Creek prior to the dredging, mechanical dredging equipment on land and in use on the lake, and t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- August 1999 - September 1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 19 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-029
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs documenting the Burnaby Lake Pilot Dredging Project undertaken by the City of Burnaby between August 20 and September 16, 1999. Photographs depict silt-laded water in Still Creek prior to the dredging, mechanical dredging equipment on land and in use on the lake, and the adjacent water treatment facility. Also contained in the file are photographs of Deputy Director of Engineering, Lambert Chu, speaking at the dredging site and vials containing two water samples: one clear and one opaque with brown sediment.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Geographic Features - Forests
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Lake
- Still Creek
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail
Burnaby Lake Show / originals
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1962-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle,…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1962-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 71 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for a slideshow presentation about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the American coot, green-winged teal, bufflehead, heron, american bittern, barn swallow, barn owl, painted turtle, muskrat, Canadian goose, beaver, wood duck, bullrushes, yellow and white waterlilies, yellow iris, and loosestrife. Also included in the slideshow are photographs of the BC Wildlife rescue and fisherman working in the Brunette River.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Animals - Birds
- Animals
- Geographic Features - Forests
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Chapman, Fred
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from sheets slides
- Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail
Burnaby Lake slide show
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1976-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 85 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for slideshow presentations about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the painted turtle, heron, American coot, coyote, barn owl, rainbow fry, Canadian goose, and beaver, as well as a v…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1976-1999
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 85 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs compiled by Doreen Lawson for slideshow presentations about Burnaby Lake. Slideshow primarily depicts the wildlife and foliage of Burnaby Lake, including: the painted turtle, heron, American coot, coyote, barn owl, rainbow fry, Canadian goose, and beaver, as well as a variety of scenic photographs of the Burnaby Lake shoreline with mountains and the Metrotown skyline in distance. Also included in file are photographs of people canoeing, kayaking, feeding geese, and participating in conservation activities including fencing trees and testing water levels. Photographs also depict the pipeline leading into Burnaby Lake, lake dredging equipment, and an oil slick.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Lakes and Ponds
- Animals - Birds
- Animals
- Geographic Features - Forests
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-002-1 : 618-002-9 originally housed in read: "Burnby Lake Slideshow"
- Note in black ink on recto of slide sheet photographs 618-002-10 : 608-002-19 originally housed in read: "Burnaby Lake / Rejects (My Fav!)"
- Photographs contents are identified on many of the slide cases within the file.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Lake Area
Less detail
Burnaby Lake wildlife
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1991-1997
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 51 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Burnaby Lake and its wildlife. Wildlife species depicted include: heron, geese, mallards and bufflehead mallards, fuzzy green bullfrogs, a red-tailed hawk, and barn owl. Also included in the file are photographs of Cariboo Dam and purple loosestrife.
BVA offices
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 15, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Burnaby Voter Association (BVA) members moving into the new BVA offices in April 1996. Photographs depict members moving furniture, painting, and washing the exterior windows.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 15, 1996
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-033
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Burnaby Voter Association (BVA) members moving into the new BVA offices in April 1996. Photographs depict members moving furniture, painting, and washing the exterior windows.
- Subjects
- Elections
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
Less detail
Byrne Creek
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 25, 1993
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 40 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Byrne Creek. The photographs depict the creek prior to clean-up with the water and paths littered with debris. Also included in the file are photographs of an unidentified man pulling a dead fish from the creek.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 25, 1993
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 40 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-023
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Byrne Creek. The photographs depict the creek prior to clean-up with the water and paths littered with debris. Also included in the file are photographs of an unidentified man pulling a dead fish from the creek.
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Geographic Features - Creeks
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Glover, Ken
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from label on slide sheets
- Note in black ink on recto of slide frames 618-023-11, 618-023-12, 618-023-14, 618-023-33, and 618-023-40 reads: "Ken Glover / BOB"
- Geographic Access
- Byrne Creek
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Less detail
Carousel Opening
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 27, 1993
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 17 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of the Burnaby Centennial Park Carousel grand opening on March 27, 1993 at the Burnaby Village Museum. Individuals depicted riding the carousel include City Councillor Derek Corrigan, City Manager Bob Moncur, and City staff member Denis Nokony.
City Hall
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- May 1985
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 8 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of the exterior of Municipal Hall, including the overhead walkway and Justice building.
Cormorants
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1982-1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of cormorants. In three of the photographs cormorants are perched on wooded structures on Burnaby Lake; in the forth a cormorant is depicted taking flight from the water. The cormorants are medium-to-large sized birds with dark feathers and long, thin yellow bills.