Hatasu Dancers, June of 1938. Large group of women in hall, attired in matching costumes. The Hatasu Temple was a group name used by Daughters of the Nile. Queen Hatasu was an Egyptian monarch. The Daughters of the Nile are the female offshoot of the Shriners, or Masons. The group was founded in 1913 in Seattle. The Hatasu #1 Temple still meets in Seattle. The annual session of the Supreme Temple of the Daughters of the Nile was held in Tacoma June 6-10, 1938. It was the first convention of this group to be held in Tacoma since 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Daughters of the Nile-Seattle division, circa June of 1938. 3 rows of women in Nile costumes with center front in formal dress. The annual session of the Supreme Temple of the Daughters of the Nile was held in Tacoma June 6-10, 1938. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28, 1938. These sixteen men in uniform with their leader were probably a visiting chorus. Group performances were part of the activities of the four day convention held in Tacoma. This particular group is attired in jaunty nautical costumes with brass buttons, bow ties and service bars, or stripes, on their sleeves.

Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma;

The unidentified young women in this photograph from June, 1938 are probably the drill team from the Knute Rockne Lodge, Daughters of Norway. Over 1,000 members of the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway, representing lodges in Washington, Oregon,California, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia, attended the four day convention in Tacoma from June 23 - 28. The drill team members, and their little "mascot," are attired in jodhpurs and holding what appear to be polo mallets. The male team leader in the center is wearing a United States Marines uniform. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 9)

Daughters of Norway (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--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;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple, circa 1938. Men being served by waitress, fireplace with head of an elk above it. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. Dinner at the Elks Temple circa 1938. Men being seated in dining room. (filed with Argentum) (photo damage upper left corner?)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma;

Photograph caption reads "Northwest Grotto Association Ceremonial. Tacobat Grotto Hosts- Tacoma, Nov. 5, 1938. Wm. B. Nicoll, Secy.- B.P. Eckler, Monarch, 1938." (filed with Argentum)

Tacobat Grotto (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Daughters of the Nile in ceremonial dress, photograph taken November 26, 1938. Photograph ordered by Mrs. George Piper. (filed with Argentum)

Daughters of the Nile (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Photograph taken at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, showing attendance. (filed with Argentum)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

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);

ca. 1939. The Normanna Male Chorus attired in their distinctive dark blazers, white slacks and captain's hats posed for a group portrait circa 1939. The men's chorus would be performing in a concert with the Tacoma Swiss Singing Society at Normanna Hall. (T. Times 3/31/1939, pg. 11) (filed with Argentum)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The White and Gold Baton Troupe. Twenty-eight girls dressed in satin costumes as drum majorettes and posed with batons in the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall in May of 1939. The head majorette, front and center, has been identified as Connie Francis Imus. Wallace Cory Imus, man on the extreme right back row, organized the White and Gold Baton Troupe along with Clara Imus. The White and Gold Baton Troupe, composed of girls 7-12 years old, would be performing at the Ray C. Roberts Hall at Sixth & Anderson Sts. on June 8, 1939. The entertainment would be free and open to the public. Beside the twirling, individual song and dance special numbers would be presented. Photograph ordered by Wallace Muir. (Additional identification provided by a reader) (TNT 6-8-1939 p. 6 -names of troupe included)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Imus, Wallace Cory; Imus, Connie Francis;

ca. 1925. A group of law officers, dressed in uniforms with badges and topped off with straw skimmers, pose in front of the B.P.O.E. (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks) lodge. The man to the left is possibly Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. The picture is probably related to the celebration of Straw Hat Day circa 1925. (WSHS- negative A844-0)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Straw Hat Day (Tacoma); Hats--1920-1930; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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;

Eastern Star Convention in Tacoma, June 23, 1939. Eighteen women wearing formal dresses, some holding large bouquets of flowers. For John D. Morris. (filed with Argentum)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A packed house is on hand to view the Shriners from Afifi Temple in the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on December 4, 1954. Potentate John H. Galbraith, Jr., and his staff are to the foreground; long rows of Shriners wearing Masonic regalia extend to the fieldhouse doors. This was the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Tacoma's grand entry ceremony. 5000 Shriners from around the Northwest converged upon Tacoma to attend the semi-annual ceremonial and initiation of new members. In addition, Floyd C. Kinnear, recorder for Afifi Temple for the past twenty five years, was honored in special ceremonies. (TNT 12-3-54, p. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma); Uniforms; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Memorial Field House (Tacoma);

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;

University - Union Club. General view of clubhouse by Whedden and Lewis, Architects; 1888. (filed with Argentum)

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma)--Buildings;

Annual spring Scottish Rite Reunion, held in Tacoma, May 15-18, 1940, at the Tacoma Masonic Temple. Names listed on photograph, Front row, left to right: George E. Clace, Gus T. Olson, Wallace A. Richardson, Wm O. Jeffery (class director), Thomas T. Grigsby, Wm B. Reed (Secretary), Edward A. Dye, Harold L. Haskins. Back row, left to right: Weston DeMaris, Harold P. Miller, John B. Cooper (Hoquiam), Norman R. Galloway, Theodore E. Faulk, Raymon W. Moore, Howard W. Taylor (Wenatchee). The four days of degree work would draw several hundred members from Southwest Washington and visitors from the entire Northwest. (T. Times 5/14/1940, pg. 3)

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

Group of people, including children, on stage at the Elks Temple. This photograph was taken on July 1, 1940.

Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Elks Temple (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

The Castle Hall at the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. Members of the fraternal organization are posed wearing Romanesque regalia. The robes illustrate the story of Damon and Pythias, on which the beliefs of the order are based. The order was founded on the principles of friendship, charity and benevolence. Built in 1906-1907 and carefully preserved, the Pythian Lodge is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Lodge is currently on the city and national historical registry. TPL-1682, BU-12215, Boland #B3765

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Acacia Fraternity members and guests enjoy an outing at Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort) on May 18, 1924. The national fraternity had been founded in 1904 by 14 Master Masons at the University of Michigan. Initially, membership in the Masonic Fraternity was required of all Acacia members and this would have been true at the time of this 1924 photograph. The national Acacia Fraternity still exists today but membership in the Masons is voluntary. (www.acacia.org) (print has been damaged)

Acacia Fraternity; Fraternal organizations; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

A large group of Acacia Fraternity members and their guests congregate in front of Benbow Inn (Benbow Lakes Resort) on May 18, 1924. The fraternity was then relatively new as it had been founded by Masons attending the University of Michigan in 1904. Local chapters quickly spread nationwide as men were attracted by the fraternity's scholastic and moral appeal. (print has been damaged)

Acacia Fraternity; Fraternal organizations; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin);

Tahmamaiwis, a Native American drama, was presented under the auspices of Tacoma Temple No. 58, Pythian Sisters, at Castle Hall on September 25, 1924. Castle Hall was located in the Knights of Pythias Commencement Lodge #7, 924-26 Broadway. The play was written by Mrs. Laura B. Downey Bartlett of Tacoma in what the Daily Ledger called the "inter-tribal" language. Examples of tribal baskets are also on display. G23.1-069 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-28-24, 6B)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Temple No. 58, Pythian Sisters (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A long row of Shriners from Afifi Temple was photographed on January 24, 1925, alongside the (old) Governor's Mansion in Olympia. Heading the line are leading officials, including the Potentate, Scott Z. Henderson. 32 car loads of Shriners had arrived in Olympia on Saturday, January 24th, to pick up Governor Roland Hartley and his staff on their way to Vancouver (Washington) and Portland. The Shriners had first stopped at the (old) Governor's Mansion but soon found out that Gov. Hartley had already left for his executive office in the Insurance Building. A photograph was taken anyway of members lined up outside the mansion; the woman is believed to be Mrs. Hartley. G23.1-076 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-25-25, p. 1, 4A-article)

Fraternal organizations; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Henderson, Scott Z.; Mansions--Olympia; Capitols--Olympia; Houses--Olympia--1920-1930;

Afifi Shrine Patrol. The Affifi Patrol posed in front of the Masonic Temple on April 2, 1925, in full regalia. Among its members were C. Val Fawcett, future Mayor of Tacoma, and Al Whitman, future vice-president of Puget Sound National Bank. Later in May the patrol plus a 40-piece band would journey on a special train to Los Angeles for the 51st annual conclave of the Imperial Council of the Mystic Shrine. G23.1-074 (TNT 5-28-25, p. 17)

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

Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, band and marching unit in full regalia pauses on the bricked roadway of South 7th at Market St. looking west on April 12, 1925. Small groups of children have secured good viewing spots in order to watch the men parade by. April 12th was Easter Sunday and the members had attended special services that afternoon at the Masonic Temple downtown. Twice a year, on Christmas and Easter, the commandery would attend service as a group. G23.1-097 (TDL 4-13-25, p. 2)

Knights Templar (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Marching bands--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Visiting Elks. The Everett Elks Band pose on the famous Spanish Steps next to the Elks Lodge, 565 Broadway, on August 16, 1918. A service flag with "In God We Trust" is lofted up high in the background. There was one gold star included which signified the loss of an Elks member in war. The Everett band was one of several in town for the 14th annual Washington State Elks convention which had opened on August 15th. The highlight of the convention was the massive downtown parade in which the bands and thousands of Elks marched. ( TNT 8-16-18, p. 1-article; TNT 8-17-18, p.2-article)

Stairways--Tacoma--1910-1920; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Marching bands--Tacoma--1910-1920; Guests--Tacoma--1910-1920;