The 25th annual convention for the Northwest Florists would include: meetings, workshops, trade fair, round table gatherings, a tour of a greenhouse at Vashon Island, and everyone was invited to attend the weekend salmon derby. View of members of the Northwest Florists' association, at a banquet being held in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/4/49, p. 1 & 5).
Ben Perham smilingly shows off the watch he was given at the annual banquet of the Pacific Northwest Conference of Savings & Loans Associations held on May 24, 1954. Mr. Perham was the former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco; the watch was presented to him by Gerrit VanderEnde for his sixteen years of service to the federal institution. Mr. Perham now is the president of a food distributing company in Yakima. View of Ben Perham on left and Gerrit VanderEnde on right, Mr. VanderEnde is the president of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan in Tacoma. (TNT 5-23-54, C-16, TNT 5-25-54, p. 11)
Elevated view of Tacoma's downtown and industrial area. Photographs taken on September 2, 1954, from Room 716 of the Winthrop Hotel show a cluster of downtown Tacoma businesses, the 11th Street Bridge, and a portion of the industrial area in the distance. Tacoma Savings & Loan, the Tacoma Hotel, Lincolnshire Hotel and Security Building (formerly Provident Building) can be clearly seen. Smokestacks billow as Tacoma's lumber and chemical mills operate with full staff. Large billboards, placed on the rooftop of the Lincolnshire Hotel, provide advertising information for consumers interested in liquor, fruit and electrical equipment.
Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Security Building (Tacoma); Lincolnshire Hotel (Tacoma); Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Clinton S. Reynolds (left), new president of Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, presents outgoing president Charles M. Fogg (center) with a framed check for $1.00, his salary for his tenure as 1954 Chamber President. Looking on at the right is Tom Collins, Kansas City banker and humorist and featured speaker for the event. The presentation was the highlight of the 70th annual Chamber dinner in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. A standing room only crowd of 435 attended the event. (TNT 1/20/1955, pg. 1 & A-5)
Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Fogg, Charles M.; Checks; Collins, Tom; Reynolds, Clinton S.;
The Fircrest Kiwanis Club celebrated charter night with a September 15, 1955, banquet in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Dignitaries were seated at the head table and various speeches were given. A large flag is positioned behind the guest speakers, and the Kiwanis Club banner is also prominently displayed. 250 people from various Kiwanis clubs in the Tacoma area met to recognize the new club. The Fircrest Kiwanis already have 54 members. On the far left is Fred G. Rounds, district governor; Herbert Socolofsky, lt. gov., standing in light suit, was toastmaster. (TNT 9-14-55, A-10, TNT 9-16-55, A-11)
Fircrest Kiwanis Club (Fircrest); Rounds, Fred G., Socolofsky, Herbert; Flags--United States; Signs (Notices); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Banners; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Comus Club presented the "Comus Comets" ball at the Winthrop Hotel. Eight men and eight women are seen in their formal attire for the event. The men wear tuxedos and black bow ties. The women wear evening gowns and tiaras with three stars each. Charles and Betty Wolf were co-chairmen of the dance. Mr. Wolf was president of the Comus Club at this time. Other members of the planning committee were Wilfred and Avonelle Brown, Leonard and Lucille Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kemp, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Hogan, Sidney and Ellen Dean, George and Gwyne Bevington, and Jonas and LaVerna Bjelland. (TNT, 10/12/1952, p.D-4)
Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma; Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Comus Club (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Members of the Comus Club were invited on a "Flight to Mars" during the club's first dance of the season, the "Comus Comets" ball. This was the club's 33rd season. Leonard and Lucille Peck and Charles and Betty Wolf (from left) had their guest tickets checked by Wilfred and Avonelle Brown, the captain and flight attendant on the right, before boarding. (TNT, 10/16/1952, p.D-6)
Dance parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Comus Club (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Peck, Leonard; Peck, Lucille; Brown, Wilfred; Brown, Avonelle; Wolf, Charles; Wolf, Betty;
A bartender waits for business at the bar discretely tucked away in the Winthrop Hotel's Sabre Room on November 2, 1955. A cheerful motto is painted on the bar's wall: "Happy to meet/Sorry to part/Happy to meet again"; the writer's name is Scotty. Two crossed swords on a paneled wall give the room its name. The unique Sabre Room was opened by Trader Vic in September, 1949. The popular dining room would reopen on November 15, 1955; completely redecorated, it still retained its Old World atmosphere. The menu was predominately Old English with plenty of beef. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 11-15-55, p. 6)
Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bartenders--Tacoma; Daggers & swords; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
New marquee being put in place at the Winthrop Hotel. Six men hold the new marquee in place. The sign advertises the hotel as the home of Daffodil Room and the Sabre Room. A panel van parked in front has a sign on it reading "Man of the Year."
Standard Brands Inc. The "25 Year Club" annual banquet. Two area residents were inducted into the quarter century club of Standard Brands Inc. at their annual dinner held at the Winthrop Hotel. The two inductees are in the center of the front row holding their certificates of long service. To the left is Emil C. Werner and to his right is Elmer E. Krueger. Both were employed at Fleischmann's Yeast in Sumner. For their 25 years of continuous service, they were presented with gold watches and certificates. Werner resided at 413 8th Ave NW, Puyallup. Werner came to the US in 1906 and worked as a farmer. In 1928, he joined the work force at Fleischmann's. His hobbies were fruit growing and farming. He had 3 daughters, a son and 7 grandchildren. Krueger lived in Sumner Heights. He was a native of Clear Lake, S.D., a WWI veteran and a member of the American Legion. He had two sons, Jerry and LaVon, who were employed at Rainier Plywood in Tacoma. Company executives attending the dinner were Albert R. Fleischmann, vice president and general sales manager, and L. G. Reichhard, vice president of manufacturing. (TNT 11/16/1953, pg. 13)
Standard Brands, Inc. (Tacoma); Group portraits; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fleischmann's Yeast (Sumner)--Employees;
A large group posed for a portrait in the brilliant sunshine on the rooftop of the Winthrop Hotel in May, 1957. They were part of the Ancient Order of United Workmen convention. The Tacoma Lodge No. 6 would play host to the A.O.U.W. Grand Lodge of Washington with the initiation of 55 candidates, a ball, banquet and other festivities planned. The Master Workman of the Tacoma Lodge was Mrs. Martha Romnes; the A.O.U.W. was an order that served both men and women. The Tacoma Hotel and the 11th Street Bridge can be spotted in the background of this May 16, 1957, photograph. Photograph ordered by the A.O.U.W. (TNT 5-14-57, A-4)
Group portraits; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ancient Order of United Workmen Tacoma Lodge No. 6 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);
The Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO, held their 16th annual convention at the Winthrop Hotel on May 18, 1957. Members listened to speakers discussing pertinent issues of adequate wages, a state merit system, and how a state employees union meets the problems of a changing administration. View of speaker and extended microphone at podium; there is a large circular logo "American Federation State County Municipal Employees AFL-CIO" on the back of the podium. A can of Walla Walla green peas is next to a pitcher of water. Photograph ordered by Washington Federation of State Employees. (TNT 5-18-57, p. 4)
Washington Federation of State Employees (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
ca. 1953. Three cars are parked next to the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, in the fall of 1953. An ornate marquee extending over the sidewalk would help to protect exiting car occupants and passersby from inclement weather. The elegant hotel was built in 1925 with funds supplied by a local subscription drive. It was named after explorer and author Theodore Winthrop who helped popularize the Northwest. BU-12138
Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
The second annual Red Rose Cotillion, sponsored by the Unique Social & Community Club, was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on December 22, 1967. The debutantes being introduced to society were all graduates of Stadium High School and all were attending college. In attendance were : (standing at top, left to right) Brenda Jackson, Gloria Austin; (standing on floor left to right) Donna Dorsey, Rose Underwood; (seated left to right) Roberta Morris, Audrey Capers; (standing on floor at right) Gwendolyn Lang, Marcia McDaniel. Following the girls' promenade and first waltz with their fathers, a stately minuet was performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Their fathers presented them with red rose bouquets and a champagne toast was offered by their mothers. (TNT 9-17-67, D-6, TNT 12-27-67, A-6) (Additional identification provided by a reader)
Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970;
These elegantly dressed young men with their spotless white gloves were escorts for the 30 women making their debut into society at the Red Rose Cotillion on December 20, 1968. The beautifully decorated room was the Crystal Ballroom in the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, scene of many formal balls and events. The Unique Social & Community Club held this Christmas-time cotillion, dubbed the "Red Rose" since the debutantes all carried bouquets of long stem American Beauty red roses, to formally introduce the young women to society. Names of the escorts were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Color photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)
Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Entertainment at the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club convention. These dancers show off the latest dance steps at the 20th annual West Coast convention of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club held at the Winthrop Hotel February 23-25, 1968. 130 delegates from 13 clubs were expected to be in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.
What's a convention without some skits? These intrepid women participated in a costumed skit during the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club's 20th annual West Coast convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in late February, 1968. The Tacoma branch of the national club served as hosts for the convention. Mrs. Terrance Lazzari was general chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.
The Mary Van Trio was apparently appearing in the Sabre Room at the Winthrop Hotel in mid-April, 1958. They were a dance orchestra. View of Mary Van Trio includes an accordionist, guitarist and presumably Mary Van herself. The Sabre Room, originally opened by Trader Vic in a gala celebration in 1949, had been completely remodeled in 1955. It retained its Old World atmosphere in the design by Seattle's Arthur Morgan & Associates. This may have been the first time that dancing was available in the Sabre Room. There was no cover or minimum for the Friday and Saturday night appearances by the Mary Van Trio. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT Ad 5-2-58, p. 14)
Mary Van Trio (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma--1950-1960;Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Interior of Sabre Room, Winthrop Hotel. The Sabre Room had been extensively remodeled in 1955 but kept its Old World atmosphere. It featured a predominately Old English menu with plenty of roast prime rib. Flaming shish kebab and English pastries were new dishes added. View of the Sabre Room shows a heavily wooded decor with sturdy beams and an open cooking area. Two crossed swords and a breastplate of armor hang on the wall. Customers could dance to the tunes of the Mary Van Trio on Fridays and Saturdays without worry about feeding the meter; the restaurant allowed two hours of free parking. Dinners ranged from $2.10 upward. This, and other photographs taken that day, were scheduled to be printed in an unidentified magazine. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 10-14-58, p. 22- Ad)
Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Daggers & swords; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
The National Association of State Savings & Loan Supervisors held their nineteenth annual conference in Tacoma on November 12-14, 1958. The 44 men and women were photographed in the Bayview Room of the Winthrop Hotel. Judging from the number of well-dressed women in the group, they were taking a more prominent role in the banking industry. There were a total of 75 delegates in attendance; they represented every state in the union. It was the first time the association had met in Tacoma. W.C. York of Raleigh, North Carolina, was elected president. Photograph ordered by the National Association of State Savings & Loan Supervisors. (TNT 11-14-58, A-1)
National Association of State Savings & Loan Supervisors (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Despite the early 7:30 a.m. hour, the large accounting staff of Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. look pleased to attend the company's Christmas party on December 24, 1963. An elaborate chandelier, lit sconces, and towering Christmas tree form the decor at the Winthrop Hotel. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone.
Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma; Christmas trees--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
The Jim Oglesby combo looks up in a May 4, 1966, photograph taken at the Winthrop Hotel where the group was performing. The clean-cut group was dressed in suits with narrow lapels and skinny ties, a look popularized by the Beatles' first appearance in America. They pose with their drums, keyboard and two guitars in the Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Photograph ordered by Jim Oglesby.
Lucille Larson was installed as president of the first Tacoma chapter of the American Business Women's Association at its charter meeting on Sunday, January 20, 1963. The meeting was held in the Mayfair room of the Winthrop Hotel. Sixteen women are pictured above with a small "ABWA" banner hung behind them. (TNT 1-18-63, p. 13)
Business people--Tacoma--1960-1970; American Business Women's Association (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Sabre Room - Winthrop Hotel. The Sabre Room underwent a colorful remodel in 1963 with the addition of maroon chairs and banquet seats, red floor coverings and splashes of red on walls and accessories. It had previously been remodeled in 1955. Musical acts were featured nightly in the Sabre Room. Color photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. BU-12177
Sabre Room (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Color photograph taken in May, 1963, of the elegant Three Keys restaurant. Managed by Max Jaunzems, the Three Keys was located in the Winthrop Hotel. Decorated in subdued earth tone shades, the restaurant would have provided comfortable dining under the soft lighting of chandeliers and sconces. The main dining area had been re-named the "Three Keys" by new hotel owner/manager William Hamman to stand for the three keys to fine dining: carefully prepared food, properly aged wines and excellent service. The $65,000 remodeling project included gold tufted banquettes and curved settees. (TNT 5-1-63, A-6)
Three Keys (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Luxurious bedroom suite at the Winthrop Hotel. Several rooms, #619, 801and 825, were photographed on August 7, 1963. This particular bedroom featured a circular bed, thick new wall-to-wall carpeting, portable television and comfortably padded armchairs. Lighting was provided by several table lamps and dropped lighting over the bed. New management in 1963 planned extensive remodeling of the venerable hotel. BU-12179
Beds; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Winthrop Hotel. Large bedroom suite at the Winthrop Hotel. By 1963, the Winthrop was 38 years old and new management undertook the renovation of the downtown hotel. This room, along with other refurbished rooms, was photographed on August 7, 1963. It contained two double beds, a pair of comfortable arm chairs, large mirror and writing desk. Modern lighting helped to brighten the room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. BU-12178
Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beds; Mirrors; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
In March of 1969, Patrick O'Toole contemplated the appearance of a spritely bearded leprechaun perched on a full-sized Irish harp at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. O'Toole, who scheduled his annual visit to Tacoma in March to coincide with St. Patrick's Day, was the president of National Home Shows, Inc. The Tacoma Home Show, coordinated by Mr. O'Toole and the local Homebuilders Assn. of Greater Tacoma, treated Tacomans to the newest innovations in home building, furniture, landscaping and appliances. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows, Inc. (TNT 3-16-69, B-10)
O'Toole, Patrick; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Harps;
Ribbon cutting. Snipping a ribbon believed to be decorated with stamps was a gentleman dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing in celebration of Tacoma's centennial week. Assisting him is a woman in that era's full length skirts, long shawl and bonnet. The Tacoma Stamp Club was meeting at the Winthrop Hotel on Memorial Day weekend; a banquet would be held there the following evening. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Stamp Club.
Tacoma Stamp Club (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Actor Steve Brodie carefully drapes the sash proclaiming Dona Wenger to be the 1969 Miss Home Show around the seated blonde bank teller on March 6, 1969. One of Miss Wenger's first duties as queen of the annual Home Show was this photo session with Mr. Brodie at the Winthrop Hotel. She is a former speech and drama student at the University of Washington and collects dolls, charms and postcards. While a senior at Curtis High School, she reigned as the queen of the senior ball. (TNT 3-7-69, p. 3; TNT 3-24-69, p. 27)
Wenger, Dona; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Brodie, Steve; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970;
