Group of approximately 50 people for Zora Temple #5, Daughters of the Nile. Queens and officers of neighboring temples attended a ceremonial on March 1, 1951 at which Mrs. Merle Heitzman, of Salt Lake City, Supreme Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, made an official visit to Zora Temple #5. At the Masonic Temple, amid a setting of oriental rugs and palms, Mrs. Heitzman regaled the group with her adventures visiting the 100 Nile temples in the U.S., Canada and Hawaii. Entertainment was provided: an exhibition drill by the Egyptian Patrols, special music by the Egyptian chorus and a performance by the temple dancers. (TNT 2/25/1951, pg. D-9)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The Amity chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star held its 26th annual installation of officers March 21, 1951 in the Gothic room of the Masonic Temple. The installation was followed by a reception in the roof garden. (for a list of new officers, see TNT 3/18/1951, pg D-11)

Order of Eastern Star Amity Chapter No. 219 (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite group in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple. A branch of the Freemasons, this group has its roots not in Scotland, but in France. Its title is in honor of Scottish Masons who fled to France after the Jacobite Rebellion failed in 1715. The group was organized in the U.S. in 1801 and membership is available to those obtaining the rank of Master Mason. The rite consists on 32 degrees plus an honorary 33rd degree & each degree costs about $150 (in 1978.) The Scottish Rite is one of the paths to becoming a Shriner. ("Fraternal Organizations" by Alvin J. Schmidt & "Handbook of Secret Organizations" by William J. Whalen)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Reunion class, Scottish Rite, at the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite group of fourteen men in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Reunion of Scottish Rite. The 91st reunion of the Scottish Rite concluded on November 24, 1951, with the exemplification of the 30th degree of Knight Kadosh. The Scottish Rite choir performed musical rituals for the degrees. View of members of the Scottish Rite; those seated have on Masonic regalia. (TNT 11-23-51, p. 13)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Reunions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Retail Clerks Union 2nd Annual Christmas Party at Fellowship Hall. The large audience is seated facing the stage. Members of the union members' families have joined them for the December 15, 1951 festivities. (TNT 12-13-1951, C-11-article only)

Retail Clerks Union, Local 367 (Tacoma); Fellowship Hall (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Christmas--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scottish Rite officers.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

ca. 1952. Installation of officers, White Shrine of Jerusalem, for Mrs. A.B. Burnett. The White Shrine is a Christian auxiliary of the Freemasons. It is open to men who have achieved the rank of Master Mason and women related to Master Masons who profess "Belief in the defense of the Christian religion." It was organized in 1894 in Chicago by Charles Magee, a Freemason. Members must be adults, white and non-Jewish. Prior to 1953, members also had to belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Exposure of approximately 300 people at the Alcoholics Anonymous Banquet at the roof garden of the Masonic Temple. In June of 1952, Tacoma hosted a Northwest conference of 750 members of AA from cities in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska. Part of the purpose of the conference was to inform invited community leaders and dignitaries of the origins and goals of the organization. There are a few empty chairs at the Saturday night banquet but most of the tables are full and another group of people stand at the rear of the picture. It appears that the banquet has not begun- most places are set with salad plates and coffee cups. Some banquet attendees have brought their children. (T. Reporter 6/21/1952)

Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Alcoholics Anonymous (Tacoma);

Alcoholics Anonymous banquet, Roof garden at the Masonic Temple, a group of 66 men with diplomas seated in Fellowship Hall. Picture ordered by Hal Hughes and Associates. The men are dressed formally in coats and ties and hold the diplomas on their left hand side, over their hearts. This ceremony was in connection with the 1952 Northwest conference of Alcoholics Anonymous held in Tacoma. Over 750 members came from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska. Part of the purpose of the conference was to inform community leaders of the organizations' origins, goals and methods. (T. Reporter 6/21/1952)

Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alcoholics Anonymous (Tacoma);

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Eugene Linden on stage at Temple Theatre for concert. Encouraged by the success of the previous season of concerts at the Jason Lee auditorium, the 1938 season was moved to the Temple Theatre. This turned out to be a financial disaster, plunging the organization into debt even though the orchestra reached new heights in artistry and musicality. The orchestra was disbanded while efforts were made to erase the debt. Eugene Linden was called back in the fall of 1939 from Long Beach, Ca., where he was conducting their symphony to once again lead the Philharmonic. Concerts resumed at Jason Lee. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Concerts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Linden playing concert on stage at Temple Theatre. The orchestra disbanded from 1938-1939 due to financial losses incurred in the movement of the concert series from the Jason Lee auditorium to the Temple Theatre. Late in 1939, the orchestra was once again rehearsing for a concert series, this time in the Jason Lee auditorium. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Concerts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Nineteen members of the Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 gathered at the Masonic Temple in December, 1952. They were there to honor Mrs. Thomas Luke of Portland, Supreme Queen of the Supreme Temple, who was visiting temples and Shriner hospitals across the nation. Mrs. Luke is believed to be the woman in the dark evening gown with corsage. The Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 are dressed in a variety of costumes ranging from Egyptian belly dancers to white "Russian" cossack-style outfits. (TNT 11-30-52, D-7)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Costumes--Egyptian;

An installation ceremony was held at the Masonic Temple in late January, 1953, for the Tacoma Assembly, Social Order of Beauceant. The sixteen women shown here in this sepia photograph are dressed in ankle length white gowns with large sleeves. They are all wearing small gold crosses and have large tilted black crosses placed on their shoulders. The Social Order of Beauceant is composed of the wives and widows of Sir Knights, of Ivanhoe Commandery (Knights Templar). The national order was founded in 1890 with the purpose of aiding the Knights Templar. (Clipping file, NWR)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma;

Twenty-one members of the Normanna Male Chorus, wearing the group's distinctive white pants, dark blazers and nautical hats, posed for a formal portrait on the steps of the Masonic Temple in 1938. The Chorus was to be very busy in September of 1938 as they were celebrating their Golden Jubilee. Norwegian singing societies from across the Northwest were coming to Tacoma to help the group celebrate their 50th anniversary at Normanna Hall, 47 Saint Helens Avenue, on September 10-11th. The singing society had organized in 1888 with John Soquest as the director. They originally met in the old school house between I and J streets; their publicity was handled by the publishers of the Norwegian newspaper "Tacoma Tidende." The group reorganized in 1895 and has been active since that date. The singers were led by Carlo A. Sperati, churchman and musician, until 1904; he was succeeded by George Johnson, still the director in 1938. (T. Times 9/9/1938, pg. 3) TPL-9519

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers;

Daughters of the Nile, group of 24 plus 6 dancers. The Zora Temple of the Daughters of the Nile had scheduled their winter ceremonial for Jan. 9th, Saturday afternoon, at 2:00p.m. It was held in the Gothic Room of the Masonic Temple. The room was decorated with oriental lamps and rugs, furnished by Harry Kirishian for the event. A large class of candidates was initiated. Oriental dancers presented a ceremonial dance with the patrol as escort and the Nile Chorus furnished music. The event was followed by a banquet in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 1/4/1954)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Employees of the Northern Pacific Railroad enjoy a safety awards banquet on May 27, 1954, in the Fellowship Hall at the Masonic Temple. Those seated at the head tables on the stage are presumably dignitaries. A five piece orchestra and singers provided music while 900 employees and guests dined on turkey dinners. The banquet was to honor the South Tacoma Shops for their near perfect accident record in the Northern Pacific Railroad's national safety competition. There was only one reportable accident among 800 employees in over a year's time. George L. Ernstrom, general mechanical superintendent of Northern Pacific, was chosen to give the award to R.H. Spellmeyer, shop superintendent at the South Tacoma Shops. (TNT 5-27-54, A-10, TNT 5-28-54, p. 14)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--People; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Guitars; Saxophones;

Hundreds fill the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall on December 8, 1954, at the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's luncheon and meeting. The group had begun decades ago as an egg and poultry cooperative but had expanded into the feed and grain business. Farmers found that they were able to get better prices and new markets for their products if they participated in a cooperative.

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

ca. 1956. The Temple Theater. The Theater was built in 1927 from a design by A.J. Russell, Architect. The building is Greek in style with interior Egyptian detail. It is listed on the City Registry. The building served as both a Masonic temple and a theater. The theater had a seating capacity of 1800 and the widest proscenium arch of any theater on the Pacific Coast. In 1954, Cinemascope was installed at the theater. TPL-5455

Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Construction is proceeding on the massive $500,000 Masonic Temple, designed by Tacoma architect A.J. Russell, located at South 2nd and Saint Helens Avenue during November of 1926. Masons from all over the state had attended the groundbreaking on January 16, 1926. The laying of the cornerstone had occurred on Saturday, June 12th, but it would take until December 1, 1927, before the building was formally dedicated. Calvin Heilig would lease a theater in the new building which would actually have its first showing in October of 1927. The Heilig Theater would later be renamed the Temple Theatre. G17.1-029; BU10,650 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-17-26, A-12-article on temple)

Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This photograph of the new Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Avenue was taken in November of 1927. The Temple Theatre (then called the Heilig Theater), built within the Masonic Temple, had celebrated its grand opening on October 18, 1927. The theater was leased by Calvin Heilig and was decorated in an Egyptian motif. Loges were installed on the lower floor. The Masonic Temple itself would be dedicated on December 1, 1927, six weeks after the theater's grand opening. The $550,000 building rose ten stories from the Broadway level. It was 124 x 170 feet in size and built of steel and concrete. The facade consisted of stone finish with brick trimmings. Sixteen Masonic bodies would utilize the structure as a meeting space. TPL-632; G65.1-136 (TNT 11-19-27, p. 1-2)

Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

The Afifi Temple Band, with instruments, posed in front of the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., on April 22, 1928. They are uniformly dressed complete with fezzes. G23.1-078

Afifi Temple Band (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Theatrical performers, the Maylon Players, pose with a new Reo Flying Cloud from the Winthrop Motor Co. on June 19, 1929. The car silently appeared on the Heilig Theater stage while the actors were rehearsing and they could not resist remarking about its fine features. They are: Maurice Penborn (on car), Will Maylon at the wheel, Joyce Booth (in car), Margaret Nixon, Paul Bardsley, Caroline Edwards and Arthur Siegrist, seated. G11.1-060 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-23-29, 8E)

Reo automobile; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Penborn, Maurice; Maylon, Will; Booth, Joyce; Nixon, Margaret; Bardsley, Paul; Edwards, Caroline; Siegrist, Arthur;

Will Maylon and Margaret Nixon of the Maylon Players theatrical troupe are parked in a vintage Winthrop Motor Company car in front of the Heilig (later Temple) Theater at 47 Saint Helens Avenue in June of 1929. The theater's huge arched roofed marquee and glassed-in playbill announce the troupe's appearance in Tacoma. The automobile, a 1904 Reo, was on display at Winthrop Motors; it was still functional and could reach speeds up to 20 mph. TPL-9778; G64.1-053 (T.Times 6-22-29, p. 23)

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Maylon, Will; Nixon, Margaret; Reo automobile; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

The Knights Templar drill team stood at attention on April 20, 1930, outside the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave. They are wearing their stately uniforms including plumed hats. G23.1-077

Knights Templar (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Drill teams; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple held their winter ceremonial in the Gothic Room of the Masonic Temple on December 9, 1931. The women were members of an international fraternal order of women either married to or related to Shriners. 300 women were in attendance at the ceremonial that honored the Supreme Queen, Mrs. Lulu Ramage Phelps of Seattle. The Supreme Queen is the national head of the organization. Mrs. Glen Darling presided over the ceremonies. (TNT 12-10-31, p. 12-article)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;