Delivering a Speech on Heritage Issues after the 2011 Stanley Cup Riots: The Introduction

On Thursday, June 16th, I took part in a panel discussion by the fine folks at Heritage Vancouver, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the built heritage of Vancouver. The talk was decidedly more contemporary as it was titled, "Preserving Modernist Buildings in Vancouver -- How Well are We Doing?". I was part of a panel where I attempted to defend the aesthetic and historical value of Vancouver Public Library's Collingwood branch library from a local resident's point of view. The timing of the event couldn't be more curious as the Stanley Cup riots in downtown Vancouver had occurred the evening before on Wednesday, June 15th, resulting in extensive damage. I remember there was much talk among people at work and even on the streets regarding the riots that certainly brought to mind those that occurred in 1994. So, in light of the previous night's events, I had to recognize what had just happened the night before, and attempted to link it to Heritage Vancouver's event. The following is the introduction that I had provided to the audience at the Vancouver Museum that evening:

Before I begin, I would like to address a number of immediate concerns. First, I would like to thank Heritage Vancouver, Mr. Gregg Simpson, and Mr. George Challies for the encouragement to speak to all of you tonight. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my personal perspective of Modernist architecture in Vancouver, and hope this issue is embraced by the greater community and is translated into positive action. Second, I need to acknowledge an oversight on the Heritage Vancouver website that advertised my inclusion in this event. The website had me advertised as John Mendoza, “Modernist architecture writer”, but the reality is a lot less glamourous. I stand before you not as a writer, but primarily as an educator. I am a local citizen with interests in education and writing. Consequently, there is no mendacity in who I am and what I am about to present to you this evening.

I must confess I was resistant in presenting my talk tonight. However, I am now galvanized to speak in light of what has happened last night in downtown Vancouver. For those who missed it, our loss in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals resulted in some fans taking out their frustration and aggression on our downtown core. Vandalism, looting, and general unrest were unfolding on streets not more than a five or ten minute bus ride from Kits Point. How ironic that we are gathered here tonight to talk about heritage preservation issues when there were so many individuals in downtown Vancouver last night, ready to wreak havoc.

The dark events of last night help prove why tonight’s event is so important. Heritage Vancouver’s work is so vital; their work constantly reminds me of the value of our surroundings. Their advocacy work helps us to see the beauty in our young city’s heritage landmarks, neighbourhoods, streetscapes, and most importantly, the compelling stories embedded in these places. Knowing Vancouver’s history has value. It cultivates a respect, concern and appreciation for where we live. If one person had paused to consider what they were doing to our community, perhaps there would be less handwringing over last night’s events.

This city is our home. We saw the reckless actions of vandals damage the downtown core last night. But it’s also important to recognize that there exists a majority of everyday citizens who have the potential to contribute to their communities in a positive way. Whether it’s picking up litter off the streets to advocating for heritage preservation, our citizens can play a role in nurturing our urban home that is Vancouver. That is why I am honoured to be here tonight, to speak up for the positives that surround us here in Vancouver, and to hopefully advocate for their protection.

John Francis Bursill: Forgotten Cultural Pioneer

This article originally appears in the June 2011 edition of the Renfrew Collingwood Community Newspaper. Check the link here:

http://www.cnh.bc.ca/rccnews/rccnews_jun_2011web.pdf

and if you are looking for the article in this issue, it's located on page five. However, the article has been edited for brevity. If you'd like to read the original article, here it is!

John Francis Bursill: Forgotten Cultural Pioneer

There’s no doubt that Vancouver’s cultural scene is evolving. Our city is talking of a new art gallery and concert hall downtown, and our own Collingwood branch library turns sixty years old in a heritage worthy, Modernist design. However, it’s important to look back and recognize how past individuals connected to Renfrew-Collingwood have shaped the city. John Francis Bursill is one of Renfrew-Collingwood’s earliest cultural pioneers, introducing to the young city of Vancouver some lofty cultural and intellectual pursuits.

John Francis Bursill immigrated with his wife to Vancouver in 1905 at the age of 60 to be closer to his eldest son, F. Noel Bursill. Despite his age, he had accomplished much in his life in London, England, as a journalist and a man devoted to many scholarly and community pursuits.

As a supporter of the free library movement where the average citizen had free access to books and other informational material, Bursill started the Collingwood Institute and Free Library in 1911. He built a large hall on Ruby Street just south of Wellington Street in East Vancouver, and stocked the library using a sizable collection of his own books. Considered a precursor to Vancouver Public Library’s Collingwood branch (which opened in 1951), the Collingwood Institute and Free Library existed until 1954. For the working class residents of Renfrew Collingwood, he operated the neighborhood’s first library.

Bursill made his influence felt even outside of Renfrew Collingwood. He continued his career in journalism here in Vancouver, writing articles in local newspapers under the pen name of “Felix Penne.” He also founded the Vagabonds, an association dedicated to the enjoyment of the English literary classics in 1915. The existence of this cultural society and the creation of others even helped shaped the cultural landscape of Vancouver. Stanley Park’s Shakespearean Garden certainly was inspired by Vancouver’s Shakespeare Society of which Bursill was both a founder and associate.

Although very little of his writing exists, a little research yielded the discovery of a one of his poems. Bursill’s “I Shall Not Cease” was inspired by the death of a well known physician, Dr. Fernand de Verteuil, whose passing had been received at the offices of the “Vancouver World” newspaper. Dr. Verteuil was a surgeon for the H.M.S. Good Hope, which sunk during the Battle of Coronel in November 1914. Inspired by a line blurted out by an associate in response to the news, Bursill supposedly sat down immediately, and scribbled four stanzas of a poem. Later, Vancouver city archivist, Major J. S. Matthews added the title, “I Shall Not Cease” in 1935. Since very little of Bursill’s writing is known today, and very little poetry is published in newspapers to begin with, here is John Francis Bursill’s poem printed in its entirety:

“I Shall Not Cease” – poem by John Francis Bursill

‘Tis infamy to die and not be missed,

(I thank thee, unknown poet, for that line.)

Let me imagine lips that I have kissed,

Will still, in memory, press these lips of mine.

When I shall journey to the Unknown Land,

Shall I some memories leave Death cannot kill?

Will men, with manly grip, still take my hand?

Will children listen for the voice that’s still?

Death hath no sting for me, if when I sleep,

Children – and dogs – remember where I lie;

If – missing me – some gentle women weep,

And men, recalling me, shall heave a sigh.

If work I speak, or write, helps fellow man

To nobler, braver life, to aspirations high;

I shall not – cease – when I have filled life’s span.

To be remembered thus is – not to die.

The poem is simple, essentially capturing the importance of being remembered through one’s good work. In many ways, Bursill’s work first in London, England and then in Vancouver articulates this very belief, using his position to better his communities. Memorable poetry will have something important to say; here the message is still as relevant to a contemporary audience as it was almost one hundred years ago.

Nowadays, while very few Vancouverites recognize John Francis Bursill, he has definitely left his imprint on Vancouver. The neighbourhood’s library service was started by Bursill’s own Collingwood Institute and Free Library, and the Shakespeare Garden in Stanley Park still exists but awaits refurbishment. Renfrew Collingwood remembers his life’s work with a street named after him, aptly located just one block west of Collingwood branch library. In an area that does not see much of its history remembered, the accomplishments of one man certainly are felt here.