Students at the Knapp Business College formed their own musical ensemble, the "Knapp Business College Orchestra," in the mid-1920's. The six-piece group had a small horn section, banjo, drums and piano. They were photographed in May of 1927 at the KMO radio station studio then located in the Winthrop Hotel. Knapp was the first institution in Pierce County to be organized exclusively for business education. It was started in 1921 with emphasis on accounting and secretarial fields. G40.1-036

Knapp Business College Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos; Drums--Tacoma; Saxophones; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Small, one-room house on exhibit on the Winthrop Hotel's rooftop. This building was constructed of grade "C" and "D" hemlock bevel siding with a minimum of waste. The cozy home even contained French doors leading to a nicely landscaped "yard." The "bungolowette" was built by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. for the February, 1927, Western Retail Lumbermen's conference. By using lower grades of lumber efficiently, it was hoped that new markets would open up for sale of these lesser-used woods. Photograph ordered by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. G36.1-148 (TDL 2-24-27, p. 2 - photograph shown without landscaping)

Architectural models; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Tulip display. The second annual tulip show of the Pierce County Horticultural Society was opened to the public on May 5, 1928. The event was held at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom and admission was free. Thousands of blooms were displayed by amateur and professional growers from all parts of Washington and Oregon. Even homeowners with small gardens were invited to participate. One colorful exhibit was from George Lawler, pioneer bulb grower, who had expanded his bulb business with the purchase in 1926 of 383 acres near Roy. G26.1-119 (TDL 5-5-28, p. 1-article)

Tulips--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Room 319 of the Winthrop Hotel was stuffed with Kroehler davenports and living room furniture in July of 1928. It was a special sale and demonstration of the Kroehler brand of merchandise. A sign on the back wall indicated that all pieces exhibited had already been sold to the Grunbaum Bros. Furniture Co. of Seattle. G35.1-033

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sofas; Furniture; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Flowers and ferns on display, courtesy of the Tacoma Garden Club, at the Winthrop Hotel, on May 25, 1929. This was the fifth annual spring flower show sponsored by the group. G26.1-118

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

A series of photographs were taken of the Tacoma Garden Club's exhibition of flowers held at the Winthrop Hotel on May 25, 1929. A variety of blossoms, along with potted plants and garden accessories, were on display in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom. G26.1-097

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Springtime in Tacoma meant an abundance of flowers and a chance to put them on display. The Tacoma Garden Club sponsored an exhibition of flowers, plants, and garden accessories showcased in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on May 25, 1929. G26.1-098

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Part of an elegant display of blooms and garden fixtures held at the Winthrop Hotel on May 25, 1929. This fifth annual flower show was sponsored by the Tacoma Garden Club. G26.1-099

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthop (Tacoma);

The third annual 'mum show held at the Hotel Winthrop on November 12, 1929, showcased fall flowers from many Tacoma firms including the above lovely display of chrysanthemums from Tschunko, "House of Flowers." Tschunko's, located at 5001 Pacific Avenue, had been in business there since 1906. G26.1-117 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tschunko's House of Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Floral display at the Winthrop Hotel. A beautiful selection of 'mums was on display under the brilliant light of a crystal chandelier on November 12, 1929. The flowers were courtesy of Hinz Florists, 618 South "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Displays of chrysanthemums, roses and fall flowers filled the Crystal Ballroom at the third annual 'mum show held under the auspices of the Pierce County Horticultural Society. G31.1-104 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hinz Florists (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Exterior view of Winthrop Hotel from the southwest. Building by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Borhek, Associated Architects, 1924. (filed with Argentum)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, Honorary National President of the Girl Scouts and former first lady, presents the "Golden Eaglet," the highest award in scouting, to Dorothy Bachelor on February 16, 1936. Helen Cannon, guard of honor, and Dorothy Hitchcock watch over the ceremony which was held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hotel Winthrop. Mrs. Hoover spent the weekend in Tacoma, one of several trips she made to the city of behalf of the Girl Scouts. (T.Times, 2/17/1936, p. 9). ALBUM 1

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor, Dorothy; Cannon, Helen; Hitchcock, Dorothy; Awards;

Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, National President of the Girl Scouts and former first lady, flanked by Tacoma Girl Scout Commissioner. Dorothy (Mrs. B.E.) Buckmaster (right in photo) and Mrs. Otis B. Wright during ceremony at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 2/17/1936, p. 9). ALBUM 1

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Buckmaster, Dorothy G.; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On February 16, 1936, Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, wife of the former President and honorary national president of the Girl Scouts, met with the scouts of Tacoma-Pierce County. She presented the Golden Eaglet badge, the highest award in scouting, to Dorothy Bachelor during a ceremony in the Crystal Ballroom of Tacoma's Winthrop Hotel. Helen Cannon (left) and Dorothy Hitchcock of the Mariner ship "Spray" were guards of honor for the ceremony. (T. Times, 2/17/1936, p. 9).

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor, Dorothy; Cannon, Helen; Hitchcock, Dorothy;

Lou Henry (Mrs. Herbert) Hoover, Honorary Vice- President of the Girl Scouts, greets a line of Scouts during a ceremony in the Crystal Ballroom of Tacoma's Hotel Winthrop. She appears to be holding back a smile at an eager young Scout. Mrs. Hoover addressed the crowd and presented a coveted "Golden Eaglet" award. ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Hoover, Lou Henry, 1875-1944; Girl Scouts (Tacoma);

Contract bridge expert Ely Culbertson visited the Tacoma Bridge Club on May 1, 1936, at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Culbertson is standing directly in front of the hanging framed picture. He was nearly 45 at the time and had been a key figure in the international popularization of contract bridge in the 1920s and 1930s. Photographer Chapin Bowen was present during this visit; he is standing far left. TPL-6687

Culbertson, Ely; Tacoma Bridge Club (Tacoma); Bowen, Chapin; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Guests--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Contract bridge expert Ely Culbertson visited the Tacoma Bridge Club on May 1, 1936, at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Culbertson is standing directly in front of the hanging framed picture. He was nearly 45 at the time and had been a key figure in the international popularization of contract bridge in the 1920s and 1930s. Photographer Chapin Bowen was present during this visit; he is standing far left. TPL-6687

Kenworthy banquet for employees. Thomas W. Neilson, 35-year employee of Kenworthy Grain & Milling Co., was the honored guest at an informal banquet for company employees held in the Army-Navy Room of the Winthrop Hotel on May 23, 1936. Mr. Neilson, warehouse foreman, had plans to retire. Others in attendance included the branch managers throughout the state that represented the 43-year-old Tacoma business. (Tacoma Daily Ledger, 5-24-36, 16A-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kenworthy Grain & Milling Co.--Employees;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, dressed in a long white coat and hat, photographed at the Hotel Winthrop where she is a guest. She is standing beside an elaborate table on which an ornate potted palm has been placed. Mrs. Houdini was visiting in Tacoma after attending the convention of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians in Seattle the prior week. As Harry Houdini's assistant for 42 years, she was the only living person who knew all the secrets of his famous tricks and she wasn't giving any away. Houdini had not been able to perform his greatest trick after death, the communication to his wife of a prearranged word and message psychically from the "Beyond." Mrs. Houdini planned the "Seance to end all seances" for October 31, the 10th anniversary of his death. Psychics would be linked by radio coast to coast in a psychic circle to wait for the message, but none came. (T. Times 7/14/1936, pg. 3)

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice;

Charter No. 10 of the Hotel Greeters and auxiliary and guests enjoyed a banquet at the Winthrop Hotel on October 28, 1936. Well-known hotel managers A.C.C. Gamer, L.L. Benbow, and George Calvert were spotted in conversation during the event. Mr. Gamer was president of the organization. (T. Times 10-29-36, p. 7).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gamer, Albert C.C.; Calvert, George; Benbow, L.L.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

This group of young people are dancing Thanksgiving Night away at this holiday dance at the Hotel Winthrop sponsored by the Nite Owls Club. The Club was organized at Stadium High School and is marking its anniversary with its 11th annual dance. Left to right: Barbara Bonnell, Phillip Carstens, Bernard Chambers (chairman of the dance), skier Gretchen Kunigk (later Fraser) and Edwin Chambers Jr. TPL-5196 (T. Times 11/28/1936, pg. 9)

Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Bonnell, Barbara; Carstens, Phillip; Chambers, Bernard; Chambers, Edwin; Nite Owls (Tacoma); Dance; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The members of Tacoma's "Mickey Mouse Band" were photographed in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop in December of 1936. The band, in reality a youth orchestra, was made up of young musicians aged 10 - 17 years old. The Mickey Mouse Band was originally sponsored by the John Hamrick Theatres. It was organized in 1932 by Bill Conner, Assistant Hamrick Manager, who also directed. In 1935, Louis Wersen took over as director, assisted by Doug Tilton and Frank Anarde. They developed the group into a fine young orchestra. The Tacoma Times took over sponsorship in January of 1938. On January 18 the newspaper declared that the organizations name would be changed because Mickey Mouse was deemed "not appropriate for the organization as it exists today." (T. Times 1/6/1938, pg. 1)

Mickey Mouse Band (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers;

Monarch Club banquet at the Winthrop Hotel, Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite was the most elaborate of the 24 "parlor" suites in the Winthrop. The living room was finished in Philippine Mahogany with paneled plastered walls and special lighting fixtures. (WSHS)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monarch Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times Spring Fashion section hit the newstands, featuring two couples modeling the latest in suits and coats from Klopfenstein's, Inc. Gathered around the piano at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit and Irene Tollefson, also in Rothmoor. The pianist was unidentified and to the right was Vic Vine. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times ran their Spring Fashion section, featuring two couples modeling the newest styles of suits and coats from Klopfenstein's Inc. Pictured left to right at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks, of Dallas Texas, in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit, Irene Tollefson in Rothmoor and Vic Vine in Hart Schaffner. The group repeated their modelling turn at the Bachelor Club Style Show on March 3rd. (WSHS) (T.Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

This faded sepia photograph is one taken of a luncheon held in honor of Anna Roosevelt Boettiger at the Hotel Winthrop in May, 1937. Mrs. Boettiger was the wife of Seattle Times publisher John Boettiger and the daughter of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She is seated in the center next to the microphone, wearing a small striped dark hat and suit of "Eleanor Blue" with large corsage of roses and lilies. She is gazing downward at small notes in her hand in preparation for her speech to the Junior Women's Club. Seated next to Mrs. Boettiger is Sally Sicade, general chairman and toastmistress of the club. This was Mrs. Boettiger's first visit to Tacoma and she spoke highly of the northwest while addressing the 300 women in attendance. (T.Times, 5-19-37, p. 1, 9) ALBUM 1.

Halsted, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall Boettiger, 1906-1975; Boettiger, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall, 1906-1975; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public speaking--Tacoma; Sicade, Sally;