Interior exposure of the Washington Hall in the Washington State Historical Building featuring the newest additions- a handsome floor covering, octagonal benches built around the pillars and the transparency of Mount Baker surrounding the view window. The unique display was the project of S.A. Perkins and portrayed the development of the Northwest. The first unit to be completed was the top 150 photographs of Washington, colored in oil, and varying in size up to 7 feet high, and 3-15 feet wide. The second unit completed was the 100 photographs of Washington views prior to 1889 below, enlarged and colored for transparencies and displayed in illuminated light boxes. An open house celebrated the completion of the third unit. (TNT 3/31/1950, pg. 1)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Paintings; Transparencies;

Two alcoves at Historical Building, McCormick Room, State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. A display of artifacts honored the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick. Mr. McCormick was president of the Washington State Historical Society for a number of years and he and his wife were donors of the hall where this display was on exhibit. This alcove was a gift of the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick, William L. McCormick, and his wife, Jessie M. McCormick. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-3)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; McCormick, Robert Laird--Family;

Kappa Phi girls in old fashioned costumes pose in front of the alcove display paying tribute to the first missionaries coming to the Northwest. The alcove, the latest addition to the McCormick Hall in the Washington State Historical Society, was sponsored by Brown & Haley. A large painting of Cushing Fells, the first missionary in the Spokane area, shows him preaching to a group of Indians. Also included in the display were relics from Catholic missionaries and letters from Jason Lee who was the first missionary to come into the Northwest, having been sent here in 1834 by the Methodist church. Ordered by Chapin Foster. (TNT, 12/10/1950, p.A-17)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Costumes;

Chapin Foster became the manager of the Washington State Historical Society after the death of William P. Bonney. Mr. Foster suggested a permanent display of photographs and large transparencies that would show how this part of the Northwest, developed as "North Oregon", became the Washington territory and the territory became Washington State. S.A. Perkins, president of the Society approved the idea and the show opened January 23, 1949. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.2)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Foster, Chapin D.; Paintings; Transparencies;

Washington State Historical Society will display a few of the items from the Washington car of the French Merci Train. The contents of the Washington car are being shown in Tacoma and Seattle, the items will be displayed for one week. Left to right: Chapin D. Foster, Washington State Historical Society Director, Mayor C. Val Fawcett, L. S. Schmidt, member of the State Committee in charge of the Washington car. The men are admiring the dolls in provincial costumes; french poster in background (T. Times, 3/11/49, p. 1).

Exhibitions--Tacoma; Dolls; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

View of members of Tacoma Sculpturing Club standing behind refreshments table on May 1, 1949. The club was having a reception in honor of their tenth anniversary and the opening of their wood carvings exhibition at the Washington State Historical Society museum, formerly known as the Ferry Museum. At far left are members Mrs. Roland Hill and Mrs. Clarence Utterback. Mrs. Walter Heath is believed to be standing sixth from left, flanked by Mrs. Pearl Lees and Mrs. Frank Naccarato, president of the club. R.E. Hager is the sole gentleman in the group. (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13)

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wood carving--Tacoma; Sculptors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Charlotte Naccarato was the first Tacoma Sculpturing Club president and was also chairman of the exhibition at the Ferry Museum. Some of the club members and artists include: Mae Click, Thelma Hill, Etta J. Leedy, Mary Bartinette, Pearl Lees, Rose Defazio, Inez E. Threlkeld, Lillian F. Lovett, Mrs. Clarence Utterback and many others (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Wood carvings; Antiques--Tacoma; Art; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Naccarato, Charlotte; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays;

The 50th anniversary of the Virginia Dare chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution was celebrated with a guest tea at the Washington State Historical Society museum on Monday, September 10, 1951. Charter members of the chapter were among those in attendance. Five unidentified women stand behind serving table and three-tierd cake. Portrait of Issac Stevens and other pioneer items in background. (TNT 9-16-51, D-1)

National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Tea parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Roger Gotteland of Seattle, French Consular Agent, speaking in Tacoma at the unveiling of a replica of the Statue of Liberty at the Washington State Historical Society. The replica was presented to the Washington State Historical Society by the Mount Rainier Council of Boy Scouts, comprising part of King and Pierce counties. The statue was the first to be erected in Washington as part of a national Scout Americanization program. Ordered by Mr. Foster. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Foster, Chapin D.; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Earl Coe, Secretary of State, presented a replica of the Washington State Seal to the Washington State Historical Society in late 1951. View of exhibit at historical society; possible replica of state seal on the left wall, portrait of Elisha Ferry, first governor, along with his desk. The Washington State Historical Society's building on North Stadium Way was built in the Neo-Classical Revival style, designed by architect George W. Bullard, and built in 1911. It later added the Ferry Museum with construction occupying most of 1916. .

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Ferry, Elisha P., 1825-1895;

Chapin D. Foster and Dean H. Eastman present a new exhibit at the Washington State Historical Society depicting Northern Pacific Railway's first transcontinental train arriving at Tacoma's 17th and Pacific Avenue depot. Dean H. Eastman, assistant vice president of Northern Pacific, represented the company in development of the scene. The exhibit was the work of Kenn E. Johnson, a Tacoma artist. (TNT, 1/12/1952, p.B-5)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Foster, Chapin D.; Eastman, Dean H.; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Twelve students from Bryant Elementary School, dressed in colonial costumes, pose in front of the old Washington State Historical Society building, 315 No. Stadium Way, in February, 1953. Looking very much like little George and Martha Washingtons, the boys have white pigtailed "wigs" while the girls are adorned with white decorated caps. The students were first graders whose teacher, Mrs. Donald Fries, taught them to dance the stately and graceful minuet. Students pictured are: Calvin Bertram, Paul Dessen, Craig Luoma, David Peschek, Mark Redal, Fred Wahlgren, Patricia Dillinger, Linda Fote, Geri Rickard, Diane Thomson, Mary Lee Merz and Mary Louise Dotter. (TNT 2-22-53, D-1, D-2) TPL-10188

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Dancers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

On June 27, 1951, a replica of the "Statue of Liberty" was unveiled at the Washington State Historical Building, 315 North Stadium Way, with ceremonies and speeches. More than 200 Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Cubs from the Mt. Rainier Council of Boy Scouts, who financed the replica through paper drives, marched with their color guards. The procession was led by a World War II Naval veteran. The unveiling proclamation was spoken by Scout Joe Crawford. James Pomeroy, Kenneth Riis and Hugh Judd pulled the veil from the statue. Roger Gotteland of Seattle, the French Consular Agent, spoke at the unveiling. There are over 200 of these replicas in 39 states in the U.S. and several of its possessions and territories. The copper statues were erected in the early 1950's by Boy Scout troops and others to celebrate Scouting�s 40th anniversary theme, "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty." Ordered by Mr. Foster. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1; www.troop101.thescouts.com)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Foster, Chapin D.; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Exhibit showing transparancies and murals at Ferry Museum, Washington State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. Mr. Chapin D. Foster is putting the final touches on the display of materials depicting the development of Washington State from when the area was known as North Oregon, the Washington Territories and then became a state. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.2)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Foster, Chapin D. ; Paintings; Transparencies;

Washington State Historical Society is currently displaying an exhibit featuring fourteen dolls made by Ada Bridgman Odenrider. The dolls show a century of fashions, between the period of 1800 and 1900. The dolls are getting ready to go to Santa Ana, California, they have been invited to the Charles W. Bowers Memorial Museum; where only the rarest and most beautiful dolls are invited to participate (T. Times, 3/6/49, p. 24).

Dolls; Collectors--Tacoma; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Exhibitions--Tacoma; Odenrider, Ada Bridgman--Associated objects; Fashion shows--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

School children from Buckley and Elk Plain visited the Washington State Historical Society museum; they were guided through an imaginary trip across the plains during the time of the late Ezra Meeker. View of Chapin D. Foster (foreground, facing the children), Secretary and Director of the Washington State Historical Society museum, also known as the Ferry Museum, speaking to the visiting students (T.N.T., 4/6/49, p. 9).

School children--Tacoma; School field trips--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Gov. Arthur B. Langlie speaking at dedication of Liberty Bell replica at Washington State Historical Society in front of a capacity crowd. Sociey Pres.S A. Perkins sits to the governor's left; woman in large hat is Margaret Marshall, descendant of Chief Justice John Marshall. It was at the funeral procession of John Marshall in 1835 that the original Liberty Bell cracked. Identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original bell, the replica weighs over a ton and stands six feet in height, measuring twelve feet in circumference at the lip and four feet at the crown. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

On July 9, 1950 Governor Arthur B Langlie accepted an exact replica of the Liberty Bell in the name of the residents of Washington state. The replica was one of 53 donated by the Copper Industry of America to each state, territory, and the District of Columbia . The bells were made in Annecy, France, and are identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original Liberty Bell. Left to right: Governor Arthur B. Langlie, Washington State Historical Society President S.A. "Sam" Perkins, Society Director Chapin Foster. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

Tacoma Sculpturing Club has helped many homemakers become interested in wood carving as a hobby. The club meets regularly in the Bryant Creative Art Center at Bryant School. During World War II the club members volunteered with the Red Cross arts and crafts unit. The club is showing their work at the Washington State Historical Society museum, formerly known as the Ferry Museum (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Wood carvings; Art; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays;

The Pacific Gallery Artist Exhibit opened November 7, 1950, at the Washington State Historical museum in conjunction with American Art Week. L-R are, Chapin D. Foster, museum director; Helen Arter, exhibit assistant chairman, who is holding her "The Flowers", done in oil; and Vera Erickson, exhibit chairman, who is showing her watercolor "1889", of the old Hewitt home on North 4th and E Streets. Ruth Clark's work was also represented. Ordered by Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 11/9/1950, p.24)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Foster, Chapin D.; Arter, Helen; Erickson, Vera;

Posed with an elegent walking stick umbrella, Mrs. Valen Honeywell is wearing a new fall suit provided by Lou Johnson, Inc. Her suit has a definite nipped-in waistline and very slim skirt. Suede pumps and a small velvet hat with veil complete her ensemble. Mrs. Honeywell is the wife of the deputy county prosecuting attorney. Washington State Historical Society Museum is in the background. TNT 9-12-50, p. C-5) TPL-9336

Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honeywell, Valen--Family;

Two alcoves at Historical Building, McCormick Room, State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. Mr. and Mrs. William L. McCormick gave this alcove display that honors Isaac I. Stevens, the Washington Territory's first governor, and another alcove, honoring Mr. McCormick's father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick, to the State Historical Society. In the center is the desk Isaac I. Stevens used in his office in Olympia made of black walnut. Cases on either side house Stevens' flags, one of which Stevens carried while a general in the northern army in 1865 at the Battle of Chantilly when he lost his life. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-3)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; McCormick, William L.; Gifts;

Washington State Historical Society, ladies dressed in costume for the Centennial. Ordered by the TNT. One of the events planned in Tacoma to help celebrate the Washington State Territorial Centennial was a Pioneer Tea held at the Washington State Historical Museum. The tea was intended to showcase the Museum's fine collection of artifacts. It was sponsored by the Tacoma & Steilacoom chapters of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and three chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the Mary Ball, Virginia Dare & Elizabeth Foley chapters) who served in period costumes. A musical program was provided by the Ladies' Musical Club. Pictured, left to right, Janet Judson Russell, Nellie Hartl, Josephine Alexander, Mrs. William Sechler, Josephine Bertschy, Minnie Birkie, Mrs. P.M. Simons, Isabel Wells, Mildred McCallum, Flora Blackwell and Mrs. F.L. Gordon (TNT 8/23/1953, pg. D-4 & photo TNT 8/30/1953, pg. D-7)

Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington (Tacoma); Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma);

1973 Richards stock footage. By May of 1973, construction appears to be complete on the new wing of the Washington State Historical Society Building, 315 North Stadium Way. The new construction was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards to include room for a new library, auditorium and permanent gallery for Western art. It was located at the rear of the original structure.

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma;

Democratic Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen and Washington State Historical Society president Reno Odlin pose before a display of paintings by Cathlamet pioneer Maude Kimball Butler on August 11, 1973. Mrs. Butler, the wife of former Wahkiakum County sheriff Donald Butler, was the mother of Mrs. Hansen and an accomplished watercolorist. Her paintings were on display at the Washington State Historical Society museum. Congresswoman Hansen was present at the annual meeting of the Washington State Historical Society. Photograph ordered by the Washington State Historical Society. (TNT 8-21-73, A-9 article)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Hansen, Julia Butler; Legislators--Washington--1970-1980; Paintings;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Progress photographs of new addition to the Washington State Historical Society building in 1971. Forms are in place and plywood stacked nearby. The majestic Stadium High School is in the background. The $1,000,000 wing was expected to take a year to complete. Architects in charge were the firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. (TNT 2-7-71, A-1 -sketch)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma);

Washington State Historical Society secretary William P. Bonney with the Lister table on steps of the Ferry Museum. The table was donated to the Society by Alfred Lister on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the J.H. Lister family in Tacoma. The Listers emigrated from England and established Standard Iron Works in Tacoma. They grew to hold important city and state governmental and banking posts. The inlaid table was made by J.H. Lister in 1900, when he was 70 years old. It contains 5209 accurately cut pieces, 4163 of which are in the top. Bonney accepted the table on behalf of the Society. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9, E.T. Short's column "After Many Years")

Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;

Among the most cherished possessions of Eliza Ferry Leary was the Bible used to administer the oath of office to her father, Elisha P. Ferry, the first governor of Washington State. After Mrs. Leary died, the Bible was deposited with the Washington State Historical Society. W.P. Bonney, sitting at Governor Ferry's desk, at which he wrote his first message to the legislature, reads the inscription on the fly leaf of the Bible to Ruth and Harold Wheeler. The Wheelers were students in the History department at the College of Puget Sound. The chair in which Mr. Bonney is seated was made in 1854 for Isaac I. Stevens, the first governor of the Washington Territory. (T.Times, 11/11/1937 p. 14)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Bibles--Tacoma; Bonney, William P.; Wheeler, Harold; Wheeler, Ruth; Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862--Associated objects; Ferry, Elisha P., 1825-1895--Associated objects;

Sculptor Alonzo Victor Lewis standing by stairs in new top floor art gallery of Ferry Museum. (T. Times)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Lewis, Alonzo Victor; Art;