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COMMUNITY
HERITAGE COMMISSION
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MINUTES
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An Open meeting of the Community
Heritage Commission was held in the Fireside Room, Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer
Lake Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. on Thursday, 2019 April 04 at 6:00 p.m.
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PRESENT:
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Councillor
Colleen Jordan, Chair
Councillor
Paul McDonell, Vice Chair
Councillor
James Wang, Member
Ms.
Karin Alzner, Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission Rep.
Ms.
Diane Gillis, Citizen Representative
Ms.
Ruby Johnson, Honorary Member Emeritus
Mr.
Richard Liu, Citizen Representative
Mr.
Lee Loftus, Citizen Representative
Ms.Tammy
Marchioni, Citizen Representative
Mr. Harry Pride, Historian
Mr. Roger Whitehouse, Citizen
Representative
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STAFF:
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Ms.
Deborah Tuyttens, Museum Services Supervisor
Ms.
Rebecca Pasch, Archivist
Mr.
Jim Wolf, Senior Long Range Planner
Ms.
Lisa Codd, Heritage Planner
Ms.
Monica MacDonald, Administrative Officer
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The Chair called the meeting to
order at 6:00 p.m.
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The Chair acknowledged the unceded,
traditional, and ancestral lands of the
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and sḵwx̱wú7mesh
speaking people, and extended appreciation for the opportunity to hold a
meeting on this shared Coast Salish territory.
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MOVED BY commissioner
loftus
SECONDED BY
commissioner liu
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THAT the minutes of the Community
Heritage Commission Open meeting held on 2019 February 07 be
adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY councillor mcdonell
SECONDED BY councillor
wang
THAT
the presentations be heard.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Ms. Ellen Van Ejinsbergen, Curator/Director
Burnaby Art Gallery, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Ceperley
Mansion - Fireside Room restoration project.
Ms. Ejinsbergen advised that the
City engaged an architect and conservation specialist to oversee the
restoration project, along with a heritage restoration company, and noted the
BAG had to be closed from January 14 to March 14, 2019.
The presenter showed images of the
room (which was originally a billiards room) before the work began and as the
work progressed, and described 106 years of paint stripped from original douglas
fir paneled walls, repaired and stained to reflect their original design and
finishing.
Ms. Ejinsbergen pointed out the
room’s refinished inglenook with benches (new upholstered seat cushions are being
manufactured); entrance doors and built in cabinet.
Ms. Ejinsbergen advised that the
restoration and finishing of the room considered the current function of the space
and aimed to reflect a contemporary art gallery. She drew attention to the modern
picture hanging hardware, powdered-coated brown to blend with the
surroundings, and room décor including a contemporary chandelier.
In conclusion, Ms. Ejinsbergen
described further restoration work planned for the room which may include
restoring the fireplace hearth and tiles, and the exterior lower window
casement sash and leaded art glass.
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b) Across the Pacific - Chinese Canadian History of Burnaby
Presenter: Lisa
Codd, Heritage Planner
Ms. Codd, Heritage Planner,
provided a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the City’s current research on
the history of Chinese Canadians in Burnaby.
Ms. Codd noted that this
research began in 2017 when the Community Heritage Commission decided to create
a series of heritage markers and short videos to commemorate Burnaby’s 125th
anniversary. A Chinese Canadian History in Burnaby Steering Committee
was created and was comprised of researchers, descendants of Burnaby Chinese
Canadian families who have lived in Burnaby for several generations, Commissioner
Richard Lee, and City staff Helen Lee.
The work of the Steering
Committee produced the following:
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research
and materials;
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plaques
and video depicting the Chinese Canadian story in Burnaby;
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partnership
between the City and the University of British Columbia Asian Canadian and
Asian Migration Studies Program - staff developed an exhibition on
Burnaby Chinese Canadian history, Across the Pacific, running from May
to September 2019 at the Burnaby Village Museum; as well as, presented two lectures
telling the story of Chinese Canadian migrants as part of the Burnaby Public
Library neighbourhood history series.
Ms. Codd shared the
following historical facts, stories and photographs arising from the research:
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Chinese
migrants, mostly men, came to Burnaby in the late 1800s and mainly came from
Guangdong province in southern China.
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The men,
who came alone with the intention of sending money home to their families and
communities in China, worked in industrial sites such as the Barnet Lumber Mill,
on farms as labourers, or later establishing their own farms.
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Migrants
were not considered citizens but cheap labour and in 1885 the Canadian
Government began charging a fee for the Chinese to come to Canada (the “Head
Tax”), and in 1923 the government imposed a ban on Chinese immigration which
remained in place until 1946.
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Chinese
people living in Canada, including those born here, had to register with the
government.
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Burnaby
bylaws discriminated against Chinese Canadians excluding them from employment
by the municipality or anyone contracting for services.
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Some property
owners registered for covenants so that their properties could not be sold to
Chinese Canadians.
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Chinese
Canadians began working in partnerships with each other and other groups, such
as the Hong and Leong families who farmed on leased Musqueam First Nations lands
(and who later moved to South Burnaby and established their own farms which are
still in operation).
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Men
also worked closely with re-sellers and grocery distributers.
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Cultural
integration occurred, including Chinese children enrolled in schools.
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Many
Chinese Canadian men signed up to serve in WWII, when they returned, they
argued to become citizens and be able to vote, and in 1946 the Chinese
Exclusion Act was repealed.
·
At the
same time, the Chinese Revolution in China happened making it difficult for
families living in China whose husbands and fathers were in Canada. Many
families come to Canada to join the men that had preceded them, such as
Burnaby’s Hong family (who started and still operates Hop On Farms in
South Burnaby).
Ms. Codd concluded by
telling the story of the first Chinese Canadian employee hired by the municipality
in 1952, Mr. Richard Lee. Mr. Lee was hired and then told he couldn’t come into
work, as a bylaw prohibited his employment. The Municipality subsequently
repealed the bylaw so Mr. Lee could return to work. Mr. Lee’s story is part of
the exhibit on Chinese Canadian history in Burnaby at the Burnaby Village
Museum.
Arising from discussion, the
following motion was introduced:
MOVED
BY commissioner Liu
SECONDED
BY commissioner loftus
THAT a report be prepared recommending
to continue research on the Chinese Canadian history in Burnaby and initiatives
for making that research accessible to the community.
CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY
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MOVED BY commissioner
whitehouse
SECONDED BY
commissioner marchioni
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THAT the correspondence be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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A memorandum was received from Ms.
Rebecca Pasch, City Archivist, providing an update on work at the City
Archives. Ms. Pasch advised that the Archives have completed a project
allowing high resolution JPEGs for over 2,700 photographs freely available
for viewing and downloading on Heritage Burnaby. The project was done in the
three phases, and handled the following collections:
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Phase
1 - 900 photographs from the Burnaby Historical Society;
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Phase
2 - 1,000 photographs from the Peers, Hill, and Vidal families depicting
daily life and feature Burnaby’s Deer Lake in the early 20th
century;
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Phase
3 - 800 photographs from the Archives series Pioneer Tales, Burnaby Image
Bank, and Burnaby Centennial Anthology. As well, this phase includes
photographs used in the Burna-Boom Oral History Project.
Ms. Pasch further advised that
Council has approved funding to renovate the Archives office space. Work is
being done by City staff and is anticipated to be completed by June, and in
time to host the Commission’s meeting this September.
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Commissioner Loftus commented
that he sees the Archives’ work on social media daily and praised the City
Archives staff on the phenomenal work being done.
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MOVED BY councillor mcdonell
SECONDED BY commissioner pride
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THAT
the report be received.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The Director Planning and
Building and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted a
report providing background information regarding the restoration of the
Fireside room of the Burnaby Art Gallery (Ceperley House), a designated civic
heritage site.
The Director Planning and
Building and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
recommended:
1.
THAT the report be received for the information of the Commission.
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MOVED BY commissioner
Gillis
SECONDED BY
commissioner Alzner
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THAT the recommendation of the Director
Planning and Building and the Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Services be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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Jim Wolf – Fairacres Estate
Restoration
Mr. Wolf, Senior Long Range
Planner, advised that restoration of the Fairacres Estate, which includes
Ceperley House (Burnaby Art Gallery), is continuing and also includes
restoration of the barn following the fire, replacement of the arts and crafts
style garden staircase, and possibly restoration of the cobblestone pillar
(across from the Kensingston overpass). Additionally, staff is preparing a
report for an adaptive re-use study for the barn to identify upgrades to the
security system and potential uses for the building.
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Councillor Jordan – CUPE Local 23
Centenary
Councillor Jordan advised that the Burnaby
Civic Employees’ Union is celebrating its 100th anniversary this
year, and inquired regarding the City’s plan for recognizing this milestone.
Staff advised that they have been
meeting with the CUPE 23 president to discuss the Union’s plans to
commemorate the occasion, and that the Local will be participating in the
Burnaby Village Museum’s Labour Day event.
Arising from discussion, the
following motion was introduced:
MOVED BY commissioner
loftus
SECONDED BY
commissioner gillis
that staff report back to
Committee with information on the history of the Burnaby Civic Employees’
Union, and to provide options for ways the City can support commemoration of
the centenary.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Jim Wolf – Mathers House
Mr. Wolf, Senior Long Range Planner, advised
that a restoration project at Mathers House is planned for this year in
cooperation with the Engineering Department – Facilities Maintenance. The
project includes restoration of the turret and porte-cochere. Staff is
preparing a report for the Commission’s review and recommendation for Council
approval for a Heritage Alteration Permit.
Councillor Jordan – Heritage BC
Annual Conference
Councillor Jordan advised that the
Heritage BC Annual Conference will be held in Nanaimo, BC on 2019 May 9-11,
and inquired regarding any Commission members’ interest in attending the
Conference.
Arising from discussion, the
following motion was introduced:
MOVED BY commissioner
liu
SECONDED BY
commissioner alzner
THAT the Commission recommend
Council authorize an expenditure up to $4,000 for the Community Heritage
Commission members to attend the Heritage BC Annual Conference to be held in
Nanaimo, BC in 2019 May.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Commissioner Gillis – Burnaby
Village Museum’s Scavenger Hunt
Commissioner Gillis commended staff and the
City for the “scavenger hunt” activity at the Burnaby Village Museum during this
year’s Spring Break.
Staff advised that the Village
received over 15,000 visitors which was double the number over last year. Further,
staff noted that the Village is now closed and will reopen for the Summer
Season on May 4th, coinciding with the Burnaby Blooms Festival
(formerly Rhododendron Festival) to be held on May 4 & 5 at the Shadbolt
Centre for the Arts.
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Councillor Jordan – School Book
Project
Councillor Jordan inquired regarding the School
Book project.
Staff advised that the cover designs
will be presented to the School History Book Committee to identify a
preferred option. The book will be printed at the City’s Printshop.
Councillor Jordan – Heritage Markers
Project
Councillor Jordan inquired regarding the progress
of the installation of several heritage markers.
Staff advised the project is in
progress and will be providing an update in the near future.
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8.
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ADJOURNMENT
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MOVED BY commissioner
whitehouse
SECONDED BY
councillor wang
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THAT this Open Commission meeting do
now adjourn.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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The
Open meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
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________________________
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________________________
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Monica
Macdonald
ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
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Councillor
Colleen Jordan
CHAIR
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