World War Two in New Westminster
Life and stories from New Westminster in World War Two.
All images and video footage courtesy of the New Westminster Museum and Archives.
World War One in New Westminster
The story of the Great War in New Westminster.
All images courtesy of the New Westminster Museum and Archives.
New Westminster Memories: Columbia Street
In the 1940's, 50's, and 60's, Columbia Street was the retail center of New Westminster. With every type of shop a person would need, it was called The Golden Mile by many who loved to spend an afternoon strolling along the street. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront spoke with individuals who recalled their memories of the retail industry of Columbia Street during these golden years.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
(Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront
Waterfronts all over the world are changing. The city of New Westminster, in British Columbia, Canada, is no different.
(Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront is a collaborative effort, with funding from Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Partnership Development Grant. We are working to preserve the rich history of work along the New Westminster waterfront, and to educate others on the ways the landscape continues to change.
This channel is full of projects featuring visuals from the New Westminster Museum & Archives and the New Westminster Public Library, as well as clips from Oral History interviews conducted with community members who have a connection to the waterfront. The full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Japanese community in New Westminster
A short video about the history and contributions of the Japanese community in New Westminster.
Women of the New Westminster Waterfront
During the 1940s, while many young men in New Westminster, British Columbia were leaving school to enlist in the war, some
young women found themselves being plucked out of high school for their good grades and placed in a full-time work position. The (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project spoke to some women who recalled how they got started working various jobs along the New Westminster waterfront.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Land Use on the New Westminster Waterfront (1945 - 2015)
This video compiles land use information gathered by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster collaborative research project. From the year 1945 to the present, the waterfront of New Westminster has evolved from predominantly industrial and retail use, to include residential buildings and recreational space.
The maps were created according to type of use (residential, industrial, etc.) and year, by Omer Rashman.
Our Working Waterfront, a museum exhibit based on the findings of this research project, ran at the New Westminster Museum & Archives from July - Oct. 2015.
New Westminster Memories: Disappearing Eulachons
In discussing the changing nature of work on the waterfront of New Westminster, British Columbia, our interviewers found that many of the residents of New Westminster had fond memories of Eulachons, a type of small fish which has all but disappeared in the area in recent years.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
History - New Westminster, BC
History - New Westminster, BC
Queensborough Bridges, Past and Present
Up until the year 1960, the dual use (rail and car) bridge was the only way to get into New Westminster, British Columbia, from Queensborough. This old bridge was notoriously bad for traffic, and there were constant problems with ships trying to pass underneath.
A new bridge was built in 1960, and remains to this day. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront spoke to people who worked and lived Queensborough and New Westminster, who recalled the bridges of the past and present. They provided interesting stories about the interactions between residents of the neighbouring communities.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Stories From Longshoring: The Shape Up
Before the change over to the more modern “board” system, longshore workers of New Westminster, British Columbia were subject to a more gruelling method of getting placed on a job – the “shape-up”. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront spoke with some longshoremen who started work on the waterfront in the 1950’s, who recalled this informal way of getting work.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Welcome to the BC Archives
An orientation and overview to the BC Archives - where we are, what we do, what we have, how to access our collections. We acquire, preserve and share the documentary heritage of the province of BC. Visit us to explore not just the history, but the stories of British Columbia. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a student researching a project, we have the resources and staff to point you in the right direction.
New Westminster's Floundering Fishing Industry
One of the industries that has all but disappeared along the Fraser River in New Westminster, British Columbia, is commercial fishing. Due to a combination of influences such as regulations and fish population changes, the number of people in New Westminster making a living from fishing has decreased significantly over the years. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront did a number of oral history interviews with residents who remember the formerly dominant fishing industry.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Stories From Longshoring: How I Got the Job
Longshoring was one of the largest industries of employment in New Westminster, British Columbia, up until the closure of the city's port in the early 1980s. Our interviewers spoke with retired longshoremen and had them recall their first experiences on the job. Many of the workers recalled the heavy labour involved, and father-son connections at work.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Stories from Longshoring: Loading Lumber
During our interviews with former longshoremen of the New Westminster waterfront, many described the same cargo as a favourite to work with. Lumber, or timbers, as it was often referred to, was incredibly demanding to work with; but as equipment progressed, so did the process of loading wood onto ships.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Stories from Longshoring: Car Ships
One of the most interesting shipments sent by sea to and from New Westminster, British Columbia, automobiles are a commodity that continue to be loaded to this day at Annacis Island. However, the means of getting vehicles on and off the ships has changed dramatically over the years, from standing gear only, to the enormous car ships of today. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront conducted oral history interviews with longshoremen and other industry workers of the Fraser River, who told stories of cars being transported on the docks.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Millwork Memories: Beehive Burners
Many things have changed along the New Westminster waterfront over the years, but one distinct image in particular has disappeared from the local landscape - the towering shape of a beehive burner. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront interviewed many people in our oral history project who recalled the formerly local industry of millwork.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
World War II & the Waterfront: Women of New Westminster
World War Two affected waterfront workers in many different ways. In particular, the War caused an enormous shift in the lives of women living in New Westminster, British Columbia, many of whom found themselves placed in a quality job as a result. In conducting our oral history interviews, (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront uncovered a variety of unique ways in which World War II affected the lives of women.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
Stories from Longshoring: Global Connections
Before the closure of the city's port in 1980, New Westminster, British Columbia was a hub for shipping goods from all over the world. The longshoring industry provided unique ways of making global connections for its workers, through interactions with foreign ships, and the use of travel cards. (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Waterfront spoke with several longshoremen who recalled the various ways in which longshoring connected them to the world outside of New Westminster.
These memories are excerpts taken from longer, full oral history interviews done by the (Re)Claiming the New Westminster Research Project. Full interviews can be accessed through the New Westminster Museum & Archives.
How-to: BC Archives Collections Search
A guide to the BC Archives Collections Search - explaining how to search and find records on the online archives catalogue (AtoM).