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;

In January of 1956 Joan Oliver, Janet Shull and Esther Gerald (far right) were already calculating how many boxes of chocolates they could sell during the 8th annual Tacoma Camp Fire and Blue Bird Girls "Candy Mint Sale". The sale ran to February 22, and proceeds went to the development and operations fund for Camp Wakoma. Prizes were awarded to the Camp Fire Girls who sold the most boxes, including an all-expense overnight stay at Camp Wakoma. It is still a tradition for Camp Fire Girls to sell mints. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-29-56, D-6)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gerald, Esther; Oliver, Joan; Shull, Janet; Blackboards;

The remodeled chapel of the Tacoma Rescue Mission. The Mission was founded in 1912 as a result of an evangelistic campaign by Gypsy Smith. It provided emergency aid, shelter and Christian fellowship to transient men. This building consisted of the Keown Building at 1512 Pacific Ave., acquired in 1940, and the Grays Harbor Hotel Building at 1510 Pacific Ave., acquired in 1946. The Keown Building was built in 1907 and designed by C.A. Darmer, architect. The Grays Harbor Hotel building was built in 1901 and designed by the same architect. The 1956 remodel made the two buildings appear as one, including a resurface with Quikbrik the plastered brick veneer. The interior chapel was completely redone with new walls and ceilings as well as new offices and pews. The beams were of knotty pine, the walls of mahogany, the pews of fir; indirect lighting and air conditioning would also greet nightly worshipers. The chapel occupied the main floor of the mission. (TNT 1/1/1956)

Tacoma Rescue Mission (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Chapels--Tacoma;

A member, believed to be Harold Lent, of the Woodbrook Hunt Club holds onto the reins of his horse on October 10, 1954. He is wearing hunting habit with a long jacket and cap. Woodbrook was one of the few hunting clubs in the country that maintained its own pack of hounds. This photograph would have been taken prior to the first hunt of the season. Bob Seney, huntsman, would be leading the pack. Harold Lent, president of the club, will lead the field as field master. (TNT 10-9-54, p. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Seventeen members, most of them women, of the Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Local #61 posed for a November 21, 1954, photograph, at union headquarters. The union had purchased the building at 1130 Commerce St. several years ago so that members might have a comfortable place to conduct meetings and enjoy social interaction.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Group portraits;

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;

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;

Marilyn Keil, Mrs. Jennie B. Gregg and Ronna Mage posed for the camera with the chocolate covered mint candies sold in February of 1954 as a fund raiser for the Camp Fire Girls' organization. Marilyn was a "Bluebird" from the Washington school district, one of the younger members of the organization. Ronna Mage was a Camp Fire girl from Downing School and wore the organization's campfire logo on her beanie. More than 1,300 Camp Fire Girls and Bluebirds in the Tacoma area hit the streets for the 6th annual candy sale beginning February 5th and continuing through the 22nd. Funds raised were used to complete the purchase of a camp for the organization near Longbranch. Mrs. Gregg was the general chairman for the sale. (TNT 1-24-1954, pg. A-11) TPL-9271

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gregg, Jennie B.; Keil, Marilyn; Mage, Ronna;

Three women and a blonde lass model the latest fashions for the Young Mens Business Club, Womens Auxiliary. Their annual fashion show would be held March 4th at the Top of the Ocean. It would include a luncheon and style show. Pictured left to right are Ellen (Mrs. Raymond) Magnuson- co-chairman, Madeline (Mrs. Peter) Pelegruti, Merilee Marie Magnuson- both models, and Billie (Mrs. Arthur) Paulson- co-chairman. (TNT 2/21/1954, pg. D-4)

Young Mens Business Club, Womens Auxiliary (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Magnuson, Ellen; Pelegruti, Madeline H.; Magnuson, Merilee Marie; Paulson, Billie;

The Tacoma Elks installed new officers in early April of 1954. Burritt B. Anderson, left, is the retiring exalted ruler. He has passed the gavel and symbol of office on to Arthur J. Emery. Both men are wearing tuxedoes and boutonnieres. Mr. Anderson was honored with a no-host party held recently at the Fircrest Golf Clubhouse with 250 people in attendance. (TNT 4-4-54, A-11, TNT 4-8-54, A-5)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Emery, Arthur J.; Anderson, Burritt B.; Tuxedoes;

Members of Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound had almost finished creating the Pansy Ring, a large circle of flowers, on May 2, 1954. Each year the sorority honored all senior women on campus with the Pansy Ring tea. The tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road. The senior women would be photographed individually with the ring as a backdrop. (Tamanawas, 1954, p. 138)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma;

Each year the Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound sponsored a Pansy Ring Tea to honor all senior women on campus. Also especially honored were the senior women who had become engaged or married during the past year; they were eligible to step through the Pansy Ring. Young women would dress in lovely spring outfits and pose in front of the colorful ring of flowers. Skirt lengths were apparently knee length in 1954 and hats and gloves often worn even among college students. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

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

This young college student's floral decorated dress blends perfectly with the large ring of flowers behind her. The Delta Delta Delta sorority from the College of Puget Sound annually held a Pansy Ring Tea in the spring to honor all senior women on campus, whether Greek-affiliated or not. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club where a large ring of flowers was erected and people were able to have their photographs taken in front of it. The young woman in this picture may have been Dorcas Marshall of the Tri-Delts. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

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

The Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club on Borough Road was the scene of the 1954 Pansy Ring Tea sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority. The Tri-Delts from the College of Puget Sound annually held a spring tea which was open to all senior women on campus. All the young ladies present wore their spring finery, which often included hats, handbags, gloves and pumps, as modeled by an unidentified college student in front of the large ring of flowers. Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the college, was there to present scholarships offered by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

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

A young women holds a small bouquet of pansies as she poses in front of the Delta Delta Delta Pansy Ring on May 2, 1954. The sorority from the College of Puget Sound each year held a special tea, called the Pansy Ring Tea, for all senior women on campus. In 1954, the tea was held at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The women attending were all dressed conservatively, most with hats, gloves and purses to complement their spring dresses. Both Dr. R. Franklin Thompson and Mrs. Thompson attended the tea; Dr. Thompson, president of the college, presented scholarships awarded by the sorority. (TNT 5-2-54, D-4)

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

The Tacoma Elks Club held their annual Extravaganza in the spring of 1953. Elks members owned many businesses in Tacoma; view of billboard with signs listing individual member-owned businesses, many signs have caricatures. The largest sign is that of Jack Roberts, co-owner of Narrows Marina.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Caricatures;

A few Spinster Club members and guests pose at the club's annual Dixie Ball held in the Greenwood Manor on May 2, 1953. The ladies are dressed in long evening gowns while the men have traditional suits and ties. Magnolia blossoms, cotton trees and rustic dolls were used as decorations for the gala event. (TNT 5-8-1953, B-4-other photos of guests at dance)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Dances--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Tacoma Rhododendron Society display at Winthrop Motor Company. May was a prime month for rhododendrons. The Winthrop Motor Company, Plymouth and DeSoto dealers, graciously allowed their showroom to be filled with rhododendron displays courtesy of the Tacoma Rhododendron Society. Rhodys, of various colors and sizes, were planted in a natural setting with a wood fence and borders. 1953 DeSoto advertising displays remained hanging from the showroom's ceiling.

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Master Builders Association was a group of area contractors and others in the building industry whose members were proud of their quality workmanship. As the sign in their 1953 Tacoma Home Show booth indicated, if a home was built by a Master Builder, it was "The Sign of Good Construction." Each year they sponsored the Greater Tacoma Home Show, held at the College of Puget Sound's Fieldhouse, to demonstrate to the growing homeowner public new styles in construction, landscaping and furnishings. In 1953, over 100 exhibitors took part in the Home Show, held on May 20-24th. The Master Builders also built a home annually whose location was kept secret until just before the show opened. Del Belfoy was the 1953 president of the association. View of Tacoma Master Builders Association booth; includes star bunting surrounding booth with architectural models of homes and photographs of members' construction above.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Group of 7 under A.F. of L. banner. Hodcarriers & building laborers.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1950-1960; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma);

Moose Lodge, 3 musicians. Ordered by Bill Miller

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Pianos;

Members of Tacoma Lodge 435, Loyal Order of Moose ride on a float entered in Tacoma's parade to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Washington Territory. The Tacoma Moose lodge was chartered in 1911 with the initiation of 800 members. In 1917, the group moved to new quarters at 737 Commerce Street to accommodate their growing membership. With a focus on youth, the organization, in 1953, supports Mooseheart, Illinois, the world-famous child city of the Loyal Order of Moose whose principal citizens are children ranging from babies through high school age.

Fraternal organizations; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Washington Territory; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

In September of 1953, Tacoma's board of business representatives for AFL unions was photographed in front of the doors of the Labor Temple, 1355 Market Street. The labor group, which met every Wednesday for a luncheon gathering, was one of the only organizations of its kind for exchanging information and the promotion of common interests of union workers. The man seated in the front row, third from the left, is Harry S. McIlvaigh, the long time secretary-treasurer of the Tacoma Labor Council for whom McIlvaigh Middle School is named. (T.N.T. 9/4/1953, p. C5- see picture for names & C-3)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Group portraits; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

The faces of three girls can be seen through the valentines that decorate the stage at the Elks Temple for the annual Father and Daughter Valentines party. Cutouts of butterflies decorate the draperies and swags of tinsel hang over the stage.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Valentines;

Twenty-two members of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and their house mother pose for this group portrait. Ordered by Judith I. (Mrs. Willard) Hedlund.

Beta Sigma Phi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

March of Dimes volunteers are counting returns at the Youth Guidance Center. Incomplete returns on March 2, 1952, showed approximately $11,000 was collected by the Tacoma Mother's March for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. (TNT, 2/2/1952, p.6)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Poliomyelitis--Prevention; National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma);

Asbestos Workers Local #50 were hosts to the Western State Conference banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on February 23, 1952. TPL-745

Asbestos Workers' Union Local No. 50 (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The White Clover Chapter of Eastern Star held their 59th installation of new officers at the South Tacoma Masonic Temple in March 1952. Dora E. (Mrs. H.J.) O'Connor, past matron, gave the welcome and Mrs. Lloyd Dorfner and Marley Parker, retiring worth matron and patron, presided. Names of those elected for the coming year and assisting in the ceremonies are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.D-8)

Order of Eastern Star White Clover Chapter No. 31 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scottish Rite officers.

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