The opening of the Javanese Art Exhibit, the fourth exhibit of the winter, given by the Tacoma Art Association at their gallery at the College of Puget Sound. Marietta (Mrs Hunter) Kennard, president of the Tuesday Study Club and president of the Aloha Club 1934-35, stands beside an unusual cut leather sculpture of a Javanese shadow dancer. The Aloha Club sponsored the opening. The exhibit will run until the first of March. (T.Times, 2/22/1936, p. 7).)

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Aloha Club (Tacoma); Kennard, Marietta; Art objects; Art exhibitions;

Young Men's Business Club (YMBC) airshow at Mueller-Harkins airport June 13, 1937. 25 planes took part in the first annual air circus with nearly 50,000 spectators cheering them on. Hundreds of 1920s and 1930s automobiles circle the airfield. Spectators gather around airplanes and sit on the hoods and roofs of vehicles. (T. Times, TNT)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Biplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Air shows--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1925. A float cruises in front of the Elks Lodge. The truck chassis has been covered with straw-like material and sports a straw skimmer hat and carries a Dixieland band, also wearing straw hats. A banner on the float reads "Park your new straw- under a seat at the Colonial and see 'A Kiss in the Dark'." "A Kiss in the Dark" was a silent film adaptation of the comic play "Aren't We All." It was released April 6, 1925 and starred Adolphe Menjou, Lillian Rich and Aileen Pringle, with a cameo appearance by Herbert (Zeppo) Marx. The float was possibly intended for the Straw Hat Day celebrations. Straw Hat Day in Tacoma was the date that gentlemen officially put away their heavy winter hats and donned straw ones for the warmer weather. (WSHS- negative A845-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In August of 1941, a group of officers from the Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League met with Raymond West of the National Bank of Washington to invest in defense savings bonds. The valley chapter of the league started in 1930 with 25 young American citizens of Japanese parentage. By 1941, the group had grown to 182 members. Seated are Satoru Sasaki, chapter president, and Lillian Mizukami. Standing are (l to r) Tad Yoshida, Tadako Tamura and Betty Sato. The young man standing behind Lillian Mizukami has been identified as Daizo (Dyke) Itami. (T. Times 08-07-1941 p.10)

Organizations--Japanese American--Puyallup--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizens League (Puyallup); War bonds & funds; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)

Edward B. Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Group of women and two men pose for portrait in front of a Coast Lines, double-deck bus.

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Double-decker buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The new officers for the Spinster Club pose on the roof of the Winthrop Hotel. The Medical Arts Building can be seen in the background. The Spinster Club was a social club composed of prominent young Tacoma girls. The officers for the coming year were, left to right, Lea Mills (president), Ann Baillargeon (vice pres.), Virginia Austin (secretary) and Valdene Hazelton (treasurer.) (T. Times 3/15/1941, pg. 5)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Mills, Lea; Baillargeon, Ann; Austin, Virginia; Hazelton, Valdene;

Riders enjoy a traditional "Hunt Breakfast" while seated on the steps of the Woodbrook Hunt Club clubhouse, balancing plates on their knees. The hunt breakfast actually follows the hunt, making it more of an afternoon meal. The members of Woodbrook were the hosts for a joint hunt with the Columbia Hunt Club from Portland. Pictured, front row, two unidentified men, Mrs. Jack Loehr, Miss Jen Eckelsen, Errol Ostrum and Clark Fay, all of Portland. Back row, two unidentified men, Dorothy Faber of Portland, Fred Kenworthy, Richard Hall, Mrs. Helen Keho Woods, Miss Ethel Hacker, two unidentified children. The four unidentified men from Woodbrook on the left are believed to be, top row, John Muddlesworth and Don Cameron and, front row, Burwood Kennedy and Arthur Hannum. These four men were not identified in the Tacoma Times. (T. Times 3/19/1941, pg. 10; 3/29/1941, pg. 5; picture in T. Times 4/5/1941, pg. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood);

Members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club, wearing English riding habits, set out in spring of 1941 on a hunt. The Club had hosted two fellow clubs from neighboring cities to a joint hunt during the spring. This image was captured by the Richards Studio photographer during one of those hunts. Their hunting grounds, located on the current Fort Lewis grounds, were highly prized.

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Tacoma;

On May 21, 1941, an unidentified rider at the Woodbrook Hunt Club tested the jumping skills of a "Tennessee Walking Horse" by having it jump a human barrier. The unidentified human "cross bar" apparently survived the risky stunt. Mrs. Thomas Overland of Seattle brought the horse to Lakewood so that the club members could get a chance to see and ride the distinctive breed.

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses; Jumping (Horsemanship);

One of the highlights of the 4th annual Water Carnival, held on June 15th, 1941 at Point Defiance and sponsored by the Young Men's Business Club, was a swimsuit parade and crowning of the Queen of the Carnival. The judges, reflecting the military theme of the '41 Carnival, were five Army and Navy officers. Pictured left to right in the front row are unidentified man, Charlotte Stipanich (crowned Princess of Bremerton Navy Yard), unidentified officer, Marguery Roscoe (crowned Princess of McChord Field), unidentified officer, Charleen Anderson (crowned Princess of Fort Lewis), Major Lilburn Stevens and Janet Wolters (crowned Queen of the Carnival.) (T. Times 6/16/1941, pg. 1)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Bathing beauties; Bathing suits--1940-1950; Beauty contests--Tacoma; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950;Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Wolters, Janet;

Nine of the seventeen contestants vying for election as Queen of the 4th Annual Water Carnival posed with a member of the sponsoring Young Men's Business Club on June 12th, 1941. The carnival was held Sunday June 15th at Point Defiance. Janet Wolters (top row, far right in black and white bathing suit) was crowned Queen of the Water Carnival. The contestants are, seated left to right, Frances Davey, Doris Davey, unidentified YMBC member, Carol Lind and Dolores Van Arnam. Top row, left to right, Phyllis Kennedy, Betty Williams, Margery Roscoe, Florence Anderson and Janet Wolters. Each girl was sponsored by her employer. 1941 was the first year that a water carnival queen was selected. (T. Times 6/13/1941, pg. 3-alternate photograph; T.Times 6-14-41, p. 2-article on contestants)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wolters, Janet; Bathing suits--1940-1950; Bathing beauties;

Young Men's Business Club trip to Clemmons Tree Farm. An unidentified club member joyfully waves his hat as he climbs a power pole during the YMBC's visit to the Clemmons Tree Farm on August 1, 1941.

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Hats--1940-1950;

Mrs. H. V. Davies (far left), in her Red Cross uniform, directed the activities of the volunteers at the new Red Cross production department on Commerce Street in April of 1942. The woman third from the right, in the pattern dress, is Mrs. J. L. Giseburt, chairman of the volunteers. The theme of the annual meeting of the Pierce County Red Cross, held on April 14th, was volunteer service. Tribute was paid to the over 15,000 persons in Pierce County who contributed their time and effort to the Red Cross. (T. Times 4/13/1942 p.8)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community Service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eight hundred Masons from all parts of the state gathered in Tacoma June 16-17th, 1942 for the 85th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Washington. The newly installed officers are pictured on the steps of the Masonic Temple. They are, left to right, Horace W. Tyler of Tacoma, J.W.J. Stedman of Tacoma- the newly elected Grand Master, John A. Emigh of Walla Walla- retiring Grand Master, Don F. Kizer of Spokane and Ford Q. Elvidge of Seattle. (T. Times 6/18/1942, pg. 7-picture; 6/17/42, pg. 10; 6/13/1942, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma); Tyler, Horace W.; Stedman, J.W.J.; Elvidge, Ford Q.;

On April 7, 1942, the recently elected Junior League board members pose outside the home of Mrs. Charles Ingram, 414 No. 7th St. Pictured left to right are Dorothy (Mrs. James Mack) Koon (maiden name La Gasa), Phoebe (Mrs. Charles Jr.) Lea, Ruth (Mrs Paul) Graff, Edna (Mrs. John Bates) Roberts, Charlotte (Mrs. Walter) Baumann, Mrs. John Wood Jr. and Mrs. Thomas Henderson. (T. Times 4/11/1942, pg. 4)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Koon, Dorothy La Gasa; Lea, Phoebe; Graff, Ruth; Roberts, Edna; Baumann, Charlotte;

Mrs. Eleanor Dockeray, Mrs. James C. Ferguson, and Mrs. Dorothy Bottcher (l to r) of the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, examine one of the posters created by the club's art committee for the "Rice Bowl Party" that was scheduled to be held on December 12, 1941 at the First Baptist Church. The party and show, which was to include vaudeville numbers by prominent Chinese entertainers from Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, was part of the Tacoma - Pierce County campaign to raise money for China relief. The event was part of a national United China Relief Campaign to raise 5 million dollars; Pierce County had already raised $10,000, half of the County's goal. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the event was postponed. (TNT 12/7/1941 p.A-4)

Junior Womens Club (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Dockeray, Eleanor; Ferguson, James C.--Family; Bottcher, Dorothy;

The busy hands and needles of Red Cross volunteers prepare material in September of 1942 for servicemen in battlefields all across the world. The women in the cutting department are, left to right, Eva (Mrs. W.F.) Kerr, Cora (Mrs. George) Wing, Bessie (Mrs. W.C.) Wise, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Neville, Beatrice (Mrs. A.D.) Wise and Mrs. M.W. Blackiston. (TNT 9/4/1942, pg. 20)

+American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Kerr, Eva; Wing, Cora; Wise, Bessie; Neville, Hazel; Wise, Beatrice;

Members of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion bid farewell on September 29, 1942 to the cannon that had graced their grounds for many years. The cannon was being donated by the group to the Army for scrap metal. The cannon was a 1906 Krupp-Essen German made field gun. It was given to the Post by Hugh Wallace, then ambassador to France.The cannon was being removed by the Army from the Post building at 407 So. "G" St. and taken to Fort Lewis where it was cut up for scrap. (T. Times 9/29/1942, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Cannons; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

Several women are pictured taking classes in September of 1942, most probably the ones required to become a Red Cross Nurses' Aide. They complete 80 hours of preliminary training and give 150 hours of service assisting graduate nurses in the wards of local hospitals, after which certificates will be issued. The aides can assist in hospitals or provide in-home nursing care.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Health care--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nursing--Tacoma;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party to honor those members going away or returning to college, and the war years were no exception. A "Back to School" dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. In deference to world affairs, the party would have a patriotic theme and a war bond would be given as the door prize. Pictured, left to right, are Noreen Inveen (going to Stephens in Columbia, Missouri), Marian Willard, Mercedes Russell, Mary Thomas (all leaving for the University of Washington in Seattle) and Carolyn Scharf (heading out for Scripps in Claremont, CA.) Photograph was taken at the Scharf home. (T. Times 8/15/1942 p.5)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

Every year the Co-Ed Club held a party for all of the younger club members who were going away to college. The war years proved to be no different and the annual "Back to School" Dance was planned for August 22, 1942 at the Fircrest Golf Club. Influenced by local and world events, the dance had a patriotic theme and the door prize was a war bond. The five young women pictured are Co-Ed Club members who were going to college for the first time. Back row, left to right, are Noreen Inveen, Carolyn Scharf and Marian Willard. Seated at bottom are, left to right, Mercedes Russell and Mary Thomas. The photograph was taken at the Scharf residence. TPL-982 (T. Times)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Inveen, Noreen; Willard, Marian; Russell, Mercedes; Thomas, Mary; Scharf, Carolyn; War bonds & funds;

Pioneer Association meeting at Steilacoom Town Hall; Federal Revival style building by Emanuel J. Bresemann, Architect, built in 1930. On October 11, 1939, the Pierce County Pioneer and Historical Society held their fall meeting in Steilacoom at the Town Hall. The members dressed in their ancestor's period clothing for the event. Between 1850-1858, Steilacoom was home to the first territorial court and the first Protestant Church north of the Columbia river. It was the first area north of the Columbia River to incorporate as a town and had the first public library. (T. Times 10/12/1939, pg. 12) (filed with Argentum)

Pioneer Association (Steilacoom); Steilacoom Town Hall (Steilacoom); Historical societies--Steilacoom;

Group portrait taken at the Sportsmen's Club of Tacoma for the Tacoma Times, circa April of 1939. The club was located in the Wright Building at 902-04 Pacific Ave. The Sportsmen's Association purchased the entire building in 1942. (filed with Argentum)

Sportsmens Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Dinner honoring Nancy Hewitt at University Union Club on June 26, 1939. Party was probably in honor of her upcoming marriage on June 28, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hewitt, Nancy;

Harold D. Hayward, in the center of the front row, holds the autographed bottle of 1917 Hennessey Five Star cognac that will go to the survivor of the Last Man Club. The members of the Club were World War I veterans and past Commanders of the American Legion, Edward B. Rhodes Post No.2, since its organization in 1919. The second annual meeting, pictured, was held Dec. 4th, 1939 and following meetings scheduled for the first Monday of December each successive year. The flag draped chairs represent deceased members of the Last Man Club. Dr. John C. Siegle, Mayor of Tacoma, was the first to pass on after the club was formed in December of 1938 and the other flag was for Dr. E. A. Rich, who died before the club's inception. Present at the meeting are, back row, left to right: Earl Clifford, A.C. Bjornstad, George A. Allen, Dr. Henry Minton, Charles F. Davidson and Howard Carothers. Middle row: Robert Goldberg, Lee Carter, Robert B. Abel, Leo Barton and Herbert Ward. Seated: Dr. Hinton D. Jonez, Frank T. Callender, Hayward, L.E. Wilkeson and Albert R. Whitman. Capt. Chester Chastek (not pictured) became the sole survivor on Feb. 16, 1992 after the death of Tacoma resident Paul O. Brown. He was 92. He later died Feb. 23, 1997 at the age of 97. He retrieved the bottle from its safe deposit box at Puget Sound Bank, but abstained from the farewell toast. He was a teetotaler. (T. Times 12/5/1939, pg. 10; TNT 2/18/1992, pg. 1)

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States; Jonez, Hinton D.; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Co-Ed Club barn dance at Dash Point Community House. Three "farmers" patiently watch as a fourth milks a "cow" made from straw and a sawhorse with a jack-o-lantern for a head. The milker looks doubtful about the results.

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma);

Co-Ed Club barn dance at Dash Point Community House. Pictured in rustic surroundings are, left to right, Edward Kinnebrew, Chairman of the party Barbara Rothermel, Hunter Johnson and Club president Betty Liby. (T. Times 11/7/1939)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Kinnebrew, Edward; Rothermel, Barbara; Johnson, Hunter; Liby, Betty;

On January 9, 1940 the Tacoma Elks handball team took on the men from the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle in the first Puget Sound Handball League match of the season. Tacoma's team had already been proclaimed the "greatest Tacoma has ever known." The team was comprised of (kneeling, left to right) Bill Boudwin, manager; Orville Stewart and Art Ziegler. Standing are (left to right) Harry Westbrook, Al Howe, Bob Holder and Fred Osmers. The popularity of handball among the Elks had increased with the addition of two courts at the Elks Club. The courts proved popular as a way to keep fit. They were 44 feet long by 22 feet wide and 22 feet high, with a gallery that could seat 100; they were said to have the best lighting of any courts on the Pacific coast. (T. Times 1/9/1940, pg. 10)

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

Junior League Executive Board at home of Mrs. Stanley Staatz in May, 1940. Portrait of group of women in the Staatz' Sumner Heights garden. Those present included Mrs. Charles B. Hurley, past president, Mrs. Charles Fogg, Mrs. John Wood, Jr., Mrs. Elbert Hall Baker, II, Mrs. Gershom Rowland and Mrs. C.R. Collins, Jr. Other names are listed in the Tacoma Times' May 8, 1940, edition. (T. Times, 5-8-40, p. 11) [See also D9770-4 and D9770-10]

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

University Union Club waiters. Seven African-American men dressed in waiters' uniforms posed for a group portrait in November of 1939.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Waiters--Tacoma--1930-1940; African Americans--Tacoma--1930-1940;