Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
2023-2024
The exhibit highlights the stories of Burnaby’s South Asian Canadian communities as they migrated to Burnaby in the early 1900s to find jobs, experienced restrictive policies and worked together to build community supports. The exhibit evolved from a multi-year research project to record and present the diverse experiences of Burnaby’s South Asian Canadian communities and features recorded poetry and plays, family photographs, cultural belongings and the commissioned art by renowned South Asian visual artist, Jag Nagra.
Truths Not Often Told was produced in close consultation with the Museum’s South Asian Advisory Committee and curated by Burnaby Village Museum’s Curator Jane Lemke and Simon Fraser University Visiting Faculty Dr. Anushay Malik.
We are 50: Explore the Unexpected from the Burnaby Village Museum Collection
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
2022
At Burnaby Village Museum we collect everything from buildings to buttons. We collect and preserve the history of what is now known as Burnaby from the time of the ancestors to present day. However, only 40% of our collection is regularly out in the Village on display. This exhibition showcased the diversity within our collection typically out of public view, and highlighted how each item tells a story about the past, present and future.
Be a Museum Conservator and explore our Kids Conservation Lab
Real Estate Building
2022
A museum Conservator is someone who preserves cultural objects. Conservators often have an eye for detail, knack for science, and a love for art and history. Conservators use a range of methods and creative solutions to preserve the objects. Visitors interacted with this exhibition and learned in a hands-on way about 10 different ways to avoid damaging objects and belongings.
Across the Pacific
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
2019-2021
This exhibit explored the history and legacy of Burnaby’s Chinese-Canadians. Visitors discovered Chinese-Canadians' farming experiences and immigration patterns since the late 1800s. Visitors also considered the universal experience of being separated from family in a postcard writing activity. Stories of Burnaby’s Chinese-Canadian families were communicated in English, Chinese and Cantonese village dialect.
Photo credit: Janet Hoffar
Don’t miss out! Explore Across the Pacific through a virtual reality exhibit that allows visitors to explore the exhibit from the comfort of their own home.
Burnaby, Then & Now
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
May 2017 to September 2018
The gallery featured a display of historic photographs of well-known landmarks presented alongside present-day photographs of the same locations. Maps and hands-on interactives encouraged exploration of the community’s past and present.
Technology Before the Smartphone
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
May to September 2016
The gallery featured examples of communications technology from the early 1900s, including telegraph equipment, telephones, cameras, phonographs, radios and office machines. The exhibit explained how these technologies worked and explored the social impact of these inventions. The display featured an interactive crank telephone that activated a telephone switchboard.
Homegrown Harvest
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
May to September 2015
This exhibit featured photographs, research and artifacts related to commercial and backyard agriculture in Burnaby. Beekeeping equipment, kitchen tools and agricultural implements were displayed with stories and photographs showing how they were used in Burnaby.
Burnaby Makes Movies
Stride Studios exhibition gallery
May to September 2014
Stride Studios Memorabilia, photographs, props, and costumes were used to highlight the Burnaby people and businesses who contribute to one of B.C.’s most important industries.
On the Air: Live from the Burnaby Village Museum
Stride Studios exhibition gallery and throughout the Village
May to September 2013
The exhibit featured a working radio station broadcasting to a network of radios located throughout the Village, re-creating the experience of an early 20th century community radio station. Content featured on "Radio BVM" included recordings from 1920s and 1930s broadcasts and popular songs from the era. Visitors also participated in creating content that was broadcast over the network.