ca. 1934. Knapp Modern Business College. Several students learn the function of various office machines--dictaphones, typewriters, adding machines, calculators-- in a classroom. Knapp Modern Business College was the first institution in Pierce County to be organized exclusively for business education. Formed in 1921, it had 20 students in its first graduating class. As veterans returned from war, enrollment skyrocketed as they aimed for an education completely oriented to job preparation. ("A History of Pierce County" vol. 1)

Knapp College (Tacoma); Business education--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies--1930-1940; Typewriters; Dictating machines; Calculators;

The yellow pages of the Tacoma phonebook for 1952 listed ten dance schools. In the 1950s dance was big.The two young dancers in this photograph, dressed in Latin American-type costumes and wearing tap shoes, were students at the Helen Martin Denn Studio of Dance. Helen Denn's studio was at 1151 1/2 Broadway. Students could join a class or take private instruction in tap, ballet, or ballroom dancing. (All images in dance series, except this, were lost to diacetate film deterioration)

Dancers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Helen Martin Denn School of Dance (Tacoma);

Costumed dancers from the Helen Martin Denn School of Dance pose for a group picture prior to recital. The studio was located at 1151 1/2 Broadway. Helen Denn was also the main dancing teacher and resided in Olympia. The children are costumed for ballet, tap dancing and acrobatics (the two girls in the front that appear to be twins.)

Dancers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Helen Martin Denn School of Dance (Tacoma);