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);

For the second year in a row, the Royal Arch Masons of Washington met at the Tenino sandstone quarry to confer the Mark Masters degree to certain recipients in an outdoor ceremony. Royal Arch Masons from throughout Washington congregated in August, 1951; invitations were limited to Masons only and not the general public. Centralia Chapter #44 coordinated the gathering while officers of Sunset Chapter #23, Chehalis, opened the ceremonies. (TNT 8-9-51, B-5)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

View of Master of Foxhounds Earl Craig and wife Leona. Members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club are making preparations for the start of the hunting season in early October, 1951. Earl Craig, Master of Foxhounds, steadies the ladder while his wife Leona touches the Woodbrook sign on their brand new red barn. The Woodbrook sign is made of white horseshoes. The Craigs suffered tremendous losses when Woodbrook caught fire in the summer of 1950. A small white sign warning that smoking is prohibited around the stables is a sober reminder of fire's dangers. (TNT 10-14-51, D-1)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Craig, Earl; Craig, Leona; Horseshoes;

Free dinners offered to servicemen at Tacoma's USO club by the Pierce County Restaurant Owners' Association. Servicemen from different branches of the military are being served hot dogs, bananas and vegetables by volunteers in aprons. This USO club had been in continual operation since 1941, providing a "Home away from Home" for American Servicemen. Even in 1951 when funding from the national organization stopped, Pierce County agencies kept the door open on this club.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

Free dinners offered to servicemen at Tacoma's USO club by the Pierce County Restaurant Owners' Association. This appears to be a face-off in the milk drinking duel as spectators cheer the duo on. Names attached to photograph identify servicemen as front row, left to right, Sgt. Wendell O'Daunis of Texas, Pvt. Charles Esmont of Kentucky, Pfc. Walter Reid of North Carolina, Pvt. Theodre Wynn of Maryland, and Pvt. George E. Preston of Kentucky. Back row, left to right, Pvt. Harris Weathington of New York, S.A. Arthur Shivel of Indiana and Cpl. Bobby J. Russell of Florida. TPL-9615

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel; Milk;

The six American Legion auxiliary members who directed the work of the 1952 state convention in Tacoma are, L-R, seated: Mrs. Arthur Von Cadow, Dayton, WA, department president; Mrs. R.H. Hedberg, chairman of the Thursday state dinner; Beatrice (Mrs. C.F.) Davidson, convention chairman; standing, Irene B. (Mrs. Kenneth B.) Knudsen, publicity chairman; Mrs. C.W. Burrows, past presidents' tea; Mrs. James Romano, department drill team. (TNT, 8/15/1952, p.21)

American Legion (Tacoma); Davidson, Beatrice; Knudsen, Irene B.;

The Delta Theta sorority held their summer dance, a "Night in Monte Carlo" at the Fircrest Golf Club. The summer dance was held annually to honor members of the social group who would be departing soon for college. Ordered by Delta Theta. (TNT, 8/23/1952, p.20)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest);

Women of the Tacoma unit No. 138 of the American Legion auxiliary were folding more than 120,000 sheets of Tuberculosis Association Christmas seals for 1952. Shown are, L-R, standing Fannie (Mrs. Roy) Hinchcliff, Mrs. George Prentice, Birdie Hay, Nettie May Grisham, Georgia (Mrs. Heber) Wolfe, Eva (Mrs. Alvis) Gasaway and Hazel (Mrs. Wilbur) Boyer. Seated, Mrs. Harry Johnson, Mrs. A.N. Ohlinger, Ruth (Mrs. R.A.) Hedberg, Mrs. George Terry, Mrs. August Boschert, Goldie (Mrs. Jesse) Baker, Evelyn Draper, Mrs. Carl Druse, Hazel Hess, Mrs. Pete Passero and Hilda (Mrs. Max) Mrohs. Ordered by the Tuberculosis Association. TNT, 10/12/1952, p.D-9)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas seals; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Maruta Versemnicks, from Latvia, admires the doll and wardrobe which was sold to benefit the Tacoma-Pierce County School for Crippled Children. This was one of the benefit projects the Chi chapter, Beta Sigma Phi, had scheduled for the year. Sylvia (Mrs. Lloyd J.) Sass was chairman of the committee handling the project. Maruta is wearing a leg brace. From 1949-50, the School for Crippled Children was housed in the basement of the First Congregational Church at 211 So. J St. In 1953, the school moved to its new home at 5030 E. Roosevelt Ave. in Salishan. It would remain there for approximately ten years. (TNT, 11/2/1952, p.D-10)

Beta Sigma Phi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dolls; Orthopedic braces; Versemnicks, Maruta; Crippled Childrens School (Tacoma);

June Otto, left, and Janet Spadafore, right, were co-chairs of the committee for the progressive dinner of the Ellen Satterlee Junior Orthopedic Guild. Betty Frangen was to receive the group for the cocktail course, June Otto was hostess for the soup course. Janet Spadafore hosted the salad course and Ann Friberg presented the main course. Dena Wold served dessert. Sally Boothe was in charge of the coffee. Ordered by Ellen Satterlee Orthopedic Guild, June Otto. (TNT, 6/21/1951, p.12)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Ellen Satterlee Guild (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Women--Social life--1940-1950; Otto, June; Spadafore, Janet;

A view of the front of "The Northwesterner," a model home built by the Tacoma Master Builders Association, for the 1951 Home Show. Designed by Spokane architect Bruce Walker, the home was constructed of red cedar siding with all weather plywood and located in the Skyline Terrace Addition. TPL-7636

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Model Houses--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A conversation area has been created off the main part of the living room in "The Northwesterner". Two side chairs and a sofa have been arranged around a coffee table. A china cabinet has been added to provide storage in this area. Two torcheres provide upward lighting at either end of the sofa. Doors can be seen on the right. TPL-7644

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Model houses--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Miss Jean Trovani, retiring president, presented the presidential gavel to Miss Mitzi Pinch, the new president of the Dr. Edward Rich Orthopedic Junior Guild, on July 10, 1951. Miss Pinch entertained the group at a pot luck dinner at the home of her parents, Morris and Sonya Plotkin. Other new officers that were installed were: Janet Kidd, vice president; Gloria Sideres, secretary; and Marcia Knapp, treasurer. Ordered by Jean Trovani.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Dr. Rich Guild (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plotkin, Morris--Homes & haunts; Trovani, Jean; Pinch, Mitzi;

Members of the American Legion's Last Man Club met in November, 1951, in the Model Grill's Flame Room. All the men are wearing caps denoting the Tacoma affiliation. The Club was formed in December of 1938 by World War I veterans who were past Commanders of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion. Eight flags are draped over empty chairs in front of the standing men, to honor those who have passed away. The last survivor would receive a 1917 bottle of cognac, kept in a safe deposit box at Puget Sound Bank.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Model Grill (Tacoma); Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Ellen Satterlee, Orthopedic Guild. Five women gathered around a card table piled high with calendars on November 7, 1951. Sign states: Get your 1952 Appointment Calendars now. Benefit Tacoma Orthopedic Association." From left to right are: Mrs. Ray Novak, Mrs. William Rademaker, Mrs. Vernor Shields; Mrs. L.W. Craig and Mrs. Carl Eckstein. These guild members were selling the appointment calendars in support of a new children's hospital, later named Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. (TNT 11-9-1951, p. 14- alt. photograph)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Ellen Satterlee Guild (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Calendars; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Articles from the collection of Mrs. J.C. Haley were to be part of the international exhibit held at the Y.W.C.A. on November 29, 1951. Mrs. Herman Myhrman, Mrs. Norman Grant and Chinese visitor Miss Ann Sun (from left) happily examine some of the majolica ware from Italy that Mrs. Haley collected on her last visit to Europe. National costumes, folk songs and other collections from foreign lands would be displayed for the public in Weyerhaeuser Hall. This exhibit would be the climax of the World Fellowship Week. (TNT 11-25-1951, D-13)

Young Womens Christian Association (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Myhrman, Herman--Family; Grant, Norman--Family; Sun, Ann;

The downtown streets of 9th and Pacific are blocked off so that spectators can enjoy the three hour long June, 1957, Pacific Northwest Shrine Association parade. Marching in formation is the large El Katif Shrine Band from Spokane with general membership to the rear. Fourteen temples sent representatives and bands to the three-day convention; they came from across the Pacific Northwest as well as two provinces in Canada. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Spokane; Marching bands; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jobs Daughters installation. Participants in the 35th installation of Bethel 8, Job's Daughters on December 8, 1956, clasp their hands in prayer. Those kneeling in white garments have positioned themselves in the shape of a cross. Three of the young girls are wearing tiaras; Queen Carol Berglund at the foot of the "cross" is carrying long stem flowers. "Winter Fantasie" was the theme of the public installation ceremonies held in the Gothic Room, Masonic Temple. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. Carl Berglund. (TNT 12-5-56, C-11)

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berglund, Carol;

Job's Daughters installation. Carol Berglund, center with roses, was crowned honored Queen at the 35th installation of the Bethel #8, International Order of Job's Daughters on December 8, 1956. She was wearing a lovely satin floor length gown, a ceremonial wrap, and a tiara. Carol is the daughter of Carl and Ellen Berglund. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. Carl Berglund. (TNT 12-5-56, C-11)

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berglund, Carol;

When January, 1957, rolled around, it was time to prepare for the 9th annual Camp Fire Girls candy sale. Thousands of Tacoma homes would be visited by Camp Fire Girls and Blue Birds in a door-to-door campaign extending to February 23rd. Three unidentified girls stopped by the Brown & Haley Co. on January 22nd to pick up boxes of the chocolate mint wafers packed in new slim cases. It was the first time that wafer-thin chocolate-covered mints were offered. Proceeds of the sales went to support the Camp Fire Girls Camp Wakoma. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-27-57, B-15-article)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma;

The Normanna Male Chorus, led by Gunnar Malmin of Pacific Lutheran College, posed for a group picture on March 7, 1957. Professor Malmin, dressed in a dark tuxedo, is seated in the front row. Normanna Male Chorus was the oldest Norwegian singing organization in the west. It was formed in 1888 by Tacoma and Parkland men, and held its first Sangerfest in Tacoma in 1906. The first director was Professor Carlo Sperati; the present conductor Malmin has held the title since 1947. Normanna Male Chorus has approximately 50 members. Photograph ordered by Normanna Male Chorus. (TNT 2-25-57, p.5)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Singers; Malmin, Gunnar J.;

Sigma Chi sweethearts group. The "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" would be announced at the Delta Phi Chapter's annual formal Sweetheart Ball at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. Sigma Chi was a men's social fraternity at the College of Puget Sound. The sweetheart candidates were, left to right, Roberta Elson, from Kirkland, of Chi Omega, Alayne Fletcher, from Olympia, of Alpha Phi, Joyce Tyler, of Marysville, of Delta Delta Delta, Diane Colwell, of Seattle, of Pi Beta Phi and Marilyn Lyons, of Auburn, Independents. Roberta Elson, the blonde blue-eyed freshman coed, was crowned the Sweetheart of 1955. (TNT 02-20-1955, pg. D-6, 2-26-1955, pg. 1)

Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Elson, Roberta; Fletcher, Alayne; Tyler, Joyce; Colwell, Diane; Lyons, Marilyn;

Sigma Alpha Epsilon banquet. On March 11, 1955, over 100 members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon from Tacoma and Southwest Washington gathered for a dinner at the University Union Club to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the fraternity's founding. Albert Balch, member of the Master Builders and community designer, was the guest speaker. His topic was "Building for Tomorrow." During his speech, Balch predicted a population boom for the Northwest. (TNT 3/2/1955, pg. A-11)

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Tacoma); University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. A plaque is being presented to Dr. C.G. Trimble by Gordon E. Tatum commemorating Trimble's 30 years of volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Rita Zehnder, president-elect of the Junior Red Cross, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. The annual meeting was held at the Top of the Ocean. Aside from awards, the program consisted of the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Zehnder, Rita; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

Lynne Hammond and Sharon Link (l to r) were co-chairmen of the "Hick Hop" held on Saturday May 7, 1955 at the Lake City Community Hall. The costume party had no reservation list, no formality and was intended for Tacoma teenagers. All teenagers were welcome and the proceeds were donated to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The hall was transformed into a miniature hobo jungle for the affair, with hobo manikins, campfires, trees and the proper atmosphere to make any "hobo" feel at home. Dancing, games and skits provided the evening's entertainment. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg D-10)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Vera T. Davis Junior Guild (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Hammond, Lynne; Link, Sharon;

A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a strapless Spring formal, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The Pansy Ring Tea honored all senior women at the College, but only engaged or recently married senior women stepped through the seven foot ring of pansies. Part of the festivities was a fashion show. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The suit is of a gingham check with a full skirt, peplum jacket, wrist length white gloves, wide brimmed hat, opened toed shoes and square dark handbag. The Pansy Ring Tea was an annual affair honoring senior women of the College. Engaged and recently married seniors will step through the seven foot ring of pansies as part of the ceremony. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A dark haired young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. She wears a dark linen look suit with a straight skirt and long top belted at the waist. A sprig of lilly of the valley is pinned at the hip height pocket and a picture hat and matching dark shoes and handbag complete the look. The third annual Pansy Ring Tea was held on the College campus. The tea honored all senior women, with engaged and recently married seniors stepping through the flower ring. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Four women in print, Hawaiian-like dresses, with leis around their necks, posed in August of 1955 to help publicize the University Union Club's Hawaiian Party. Planned for August 18, the party featured an exotic luau, followed by dancing to the strains of a Hawaiian orchestra. Pictured (left to right) are Jeanette (Mrs. William) Shaw, Jean (Mrs. William) Drury, Ruth (Mrs. Thomas) Murphy and Jeanne (Mrs. Frank) Kraucunas. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 13, 8/14/1955, pg. D-1)

Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Shaw, Jeanette; Drury, Jean; Murphy, Ruth; Kraucunas, Jeanne;

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter, in the Wedgewood Room at the Winthrop Hotel. Most Tacoma and Seattle architects are pictured here, some with spouses. In the foreground of the picture, left to right, are Si Nelson, Percy Ball, Rod O'Hiser, Marshall Perrow, James Wilson and future mayor Gordon Johnston. Seated on the right side of the room, directly under the palm tree wall decoration are Hubert and Betty Bisson. Mr. Bisson was an architect, and later associate, for the well-known Tacoma firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. Mr. Bisson worked for them for over 20 years until his death in 1971. He designed many of Tacoma's banks and schools for the firm. (for more detailed name information, please see name chart accompanying picture in Richards files) (Additional information provided by a reader)

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter (Tacoma); Architects; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bisson, Hubert; Bisson, Betty; Johnston, Gordon N.; Nelson, Silas E.; Ball, Percy G.; O'Hiser, Rod; Perrow, Marshall; Wilson, James;