Camp Fire Girls preparing for upcoming summer fun camping out under the stars. They are practicing camping techniques right in the comfort of their home. One of the items being practiced is the proper tucking in procedure for a sleeping bag. Mrs. Ralph Anderson puts away the dinner dishes while Mary Lynn Anderson, a Camp Fire Girl from Mason School, tucks her sister Kris, a Blue Bird, into her sleeping bag. Mrs. Anderson was the sponsor for the Blue Bird group and the chairman of the booth and organizational sale of chocolate mints. The sale of the mints was intended to generate funds for the development of the Tacoma Camp Fire Girls campsite near Longbranch. (TNT 1/31/1954, pg. D-1) TPL-8618

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, Mary Lynn; Anderson, Kris; Camping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

Elks club members dressed as policemen look on in amusement as a "can-can girl", complete with garter and bonnet, demonstrates a bit of the famous dance during the Elks club 1954 Extravaganza. The man in bow tie is believed to be Max Frolic, well-known old-time vaudevillian entertainer. Mr. Frolic directed the Elks Extravaganza for several years. The Extravaganza generally ran for two nights; the first night was for members only and always ensured a full house, while the second night was for ladies only. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks club members participated with high spirits when requested to do so during the annual Elks Club Extravaganzas held each spring. Humorous skits, song & dance, orchestral music were all part of the program. View of two members on stage; one is dressed in Scottish kilts while the other man has a ragmop hairstyle and keeps one foot on an uprooted stool. Deliberate or not, the warped candles on top of the piano certainly would have caught the audience's eye.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A very motley crew of entertainers pose on March 31, 1954, for the annual Elks club Extravaganza. "Uncle Sam", in the center, appears to be embracing representatives of various ethnic groups. This was probably the "United Nations Beauties", a big hit with the audience. The Elks Extravaganza was always greeted with much anticipation and provided hours of hilarious entertainment for its members. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two carpenters are in the midst of finishing the interior of a new model home for the Tacoma Master Builders Association. They appear to be working in the living room portion of the home; a large brick fireplace has already been laid with cabinets and shelves adjacent. The Master Builders Association built model homes each year for the Parade of Homes, held in conjunction with National Home Week, and also constructed a model home for the Tacoma Home Show held in May of each year. The location of the Tacoma Home Show model was kept secret until the show opened; in 1954, S.L. Rowland Co. did the honors. (TNT 4-4-54, B-13)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma;

May was a prime month for rhododendrons. The Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show on May 15-16, 1954, in the Bank of California lobby. Exhibitors were concerned that an early May 1st frost had damaged the supply of rhododendrons but the more than 100 varieties entered eased their fears. As in previous years, the bank lobby was landscaped with specimen plants as the background for entry exhibits; view of lobby filled with rhododendrons. This year it was decided that the flower show would be noncompetitive and no prizes awarded. (TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Patrol members of the El Katif Temple from Spokane pause during the Pacific Northwest Shrine parade in downtown Tacoma on June 8, 1957. Thousands of Shriners from across the Pacific Northwest plus Canada arrived in Tacoma for a three-day convention. These men pictured have insignia on their uniforms identifying their club. The woman in the photograph may have been the spouse of one of the Shriners; many members brought families with them to enjoy the festivities. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Spokane;

Tacoma Art League reproduction. Two women prepare for the Tacoma Art League show in Jones Hall on the campus of the College of Puget Sound in late September, 1957. One woman holds up a drawing of an Asian multi-tiered building; a similar, or perhaps the same, architectural model is adjacent on the table. Also on the table is a landscaping design with small rocks placed among the geometric shapes. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Art League.

Tacoma Art League (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show May 8-9, 1954, in Normanna Hall. The public was invited to attend at no charge. The University of Washington Arboretum sent plants to display as well as the U.S. government's Ballard Canal Locks. The offerings from Tacoma growers included those plants grown specially in greenhouses. View taken of stage at Normanna Hall; stage is covered with rhodys with Maypole in center. Example of rockery with flowering plants can also be seen facing stage. (TNT 5-6-54, A-7)

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma;

Elks Club members read one of the many books collected on behalf of servicemen during their book collection drive on November 1, 1954. A sign behind the men indicates that "good current books" were wanted. The stacks of books seem to be a good sign that the collection drive was successful. Never Die the Dream, Requiem for a Redhead, and Upton Sinclair's A World to Win (1946) were just some of the donated books. By November 8, more than 3000 books were donated by the club's 5200 members. (TNT 11-8-54, p. 9)

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

Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters from the College of Puget Sound pose with completed pansy nosegays for the Pansy Ring Tea ceremonies. Rheta Hill, at the far left, was the general chairman for the tea held in 1955 on the college campus. The tea would honor all senior women at the College, with special attention paid to engaged and recently married seniors. Invited to the tea are all senior women, fiancees, husbands, Mother's Club and Tri Delta alumnae of the Phi Zeta chapter, the mayor of Tacoma, faculty and CPS Board of Trustees. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

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

The third annual Pansy Ring Tea took place at the College of Puget Sound on May 15, 1955. It was sponsored by the active members and alumnae of the Phi Zeta chapter of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. The tea honors senior women and is a tradition of nearly all Tri Delta chapters in the United States and Canada. The tea featured a style show, climaxed by a bridal party. All engaged and recently married seniors received special recognition. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

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

Fourteen year old William Bennett was chosen to represent the entire Pacific Northwest at a joint Canadian-American Red Cross study conference held in Ontario, Canada, Aug. 21-31, 1955. The purpose of the conference was to help define the appropriate role of young people in the Red Cross service, locally, nationally and internationally. "Bill," the son of Mrs. Doris Bennet of 3714 No. 16th and J.L. Bennett of 3128 West Sound View Dr., was chosen for his outstanding ability, maturity, background and interest in Red Cross work. Forty seven teenagers from the U.S. and the same number from Canada were to attend the conference, as well as UNESCO sponsored young adult leaders from Yugoslavia, Greece and Japan, and Red Cross leaders from Chile, Uruguay & Jamaica. Bill, who attended Mason Jr. High School, left on Aug. 16th via Great Northern for Chicago, to meet with others travelling to the joint study in Ontario. (TNT 7/24/1955, pg. 1) TPL-9870

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Bennett, William; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Prospective homeowners head toward the Tacoma Master Builders Association's fall Parade of Homes in September, 1955. Each year the members of the Tacoma Master Builders built as many as sixty homes and opened them for the viewing public. This picture was shot on opening day, 1955, at the University Place cluster of 21 new homes. The viewpoint is of homes located on Robin Road; nearby street would be Olympic Drive.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. In August of 1952, the American Legion held its annual state convention in Tacoma. It was highlighted by afternoon downtown parades with drill teams, drum and bugle corps and floats. This marching group, representing the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post #2 of Tacoma, wore a wide variety of clothing, including uniforms from all the branches of the US military and what appears to be Scottish regalia. The drum majorette wore a costume covered with the flags of many countries. The group posed in front of the Colonial Hotel, 701-05 Commerce St. The Rhodes Post #2 was incorporated on May 28, 1920 with 15 names on the charter; the second charter granted in the state of Washington and the first in Pierce county. The Post was located at 407 So. G St. The present day Post is formed of veterans of all the conflicts and continues to battle for the rights of veterans. (T. Reporter, 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Marching bands; Bugles;

Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild. Interior exposure of decorated tent for "Strawberry Festival" taken on June 20, 1952. Spacious tent is set up with dining tables, evergreen trees and pots of ferns and flowers. The Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild sponsored a "Strawberry Festival" for many years.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Marie Hazen Guild (Tacoma); Tents; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Large group of young couples at Club of Hearts "Sea Breeze" cotton-and-cord dance held at Greenwood Manor on August 5, 1952. Women wearing summer cotton dresses, men dressed in corduroy pants (trousers) and shirts. One couple has large, stuffed panda bear.

Club of Hearts (Lakewood); Greenwood Manor (Lakewood); Dance parties--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Large group of young couples at Club of Hearts "Sea Breeze", cotton and cord dance held at Greenwood Manor. Women wearing summer cotton dresses, men dressed in corduroy pants (trousers) and shirts.