The chief at the Hotel Winthrop presented the fish course, planked salmon, to Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) during the banquet held in his honor on May 23, 1939. Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman (far left) and 400-500 local residents attended the informal civic banquet in the Crystal ballroom attended by both the Prince and his wife, Princess Martha. (The man to the right has not been identified.) Brief speeches were presented by the Crown Prince and local dignitaries. More than 3,000 Tacomans were in attendance later at the State Armory for a public reception presented under the auspices of the Norwegian societies of Tacoma in the form of a Norwegian festival. Heir to the throne of Norway, the Crown Prince spoke graciously in flawless English. This may not have been a surprise; he had finished his education at Oxford and was the great-grandson of Queen Victoria. (TNT 5-22-39, p. 6, TNT 5-24-39, p. 2) ALBUM 3.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J., Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop Hotel roof on July 5, 1939. Provident Building, (Second) Tacoma Hotel, 11th Street Bridge and Tideflats in background. Group includes Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Harry P. Cain, C. Val Fawcett, Ira Davisson, Holmes Eastwood and Norton Clapp. The Gyro Club was promoting the wearing of hats during the celebration honoring Washington's 50 years of statehood. Club members are shown wearing a variety of styles including top hats, 10-gallon hats, low crown derbies. Many prominent city, county and civic leaders were included in the group. Clapp was the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce president, Fawcett, Eastwood and Davisson were City Commissioners, and Cain (soon to be elected the next mayor) was the Jubilee Chairman. The sole woman in the group was Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, county superintendent of schools. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Taylor, Louise S.;

Real estate developer Norton Clapp towers over County Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise S. Taylor as the two shake hands and show off their Jubilee Hats in July of 1939. Both are members of the Gyro Club which declared the wearin' of hats to be the best way to boost the city's Golden Jubilee celebration, July 16-23, 1939. 20,000 hats of all styles, shapes and colors would flood the city so that everybody had a chance to buy one, for as low as 60 cents. The club had announced plans to put old-fashioned police wagons on the streets on July 18th to spot anyone not wearing a hat and suitable "punishment" would ensue. The local Gyro Club had many prominent members including C. Val Fawcett, Harry P. Cain, W.P. Bonney and Sheriff John Bjorklund. (T.Times 7-7-39, p. 1-article; TNT 7-13-39, p. 3-article; TNT 7-16-39, p. 1-article)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Gyro Club (Tacoma);

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop; event was held on April 22, 1939. Four women are holding gifts, pottery water pitchers. L-R are Mrs. Allan M. Hudson, Mrs. F.R. Griffiths, Mrs. Tim Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. James Healy, Mrs. Carroll C. Carlson and Elmer G. Hagen. (T. Times, 4-29-39, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ethel (Mrs. Ben) Cheney is being measured for a uniform at an informational meeting at the Winthrop Hotel, organizing Tacoma's unit of the National Service League for Women. Col. Harriet Virginia, right, National Commander of the National Service League Motor Corps for Women, jots down the measurements. Over 150 women turned out for the meeting. The group offered instruction to women in motor mechanics and driving, first aid, short wave radio, semaphoring (flag signalling) and Morse Code. They trained the women to offer aid in a national or local emergency, becoming part of the Home Defense movement. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Aileen Schoonover, Mrs. Melville Grange (measuring), Mrs. Cheney and Col. Virginia. In February of 1941, the National Service League was declared a hoax by Walter West of the Better Business Bureau. "Colonel" Virginia and her husband James Fulton were using the bogus organization to sell substandard uniforms at inflated prices. "Colonel" Virginia was charged in Tacoma with Grand Larceny. The Tacoma Chapter split with the national organization and with its 40 surviving members continued on its own as the Women's Emergency Motor Corps, part of the Tacoma Home Defense Movement. ( T. Times 11/4/1940, pg.5; Hoax: T. Times 2/17/1941, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Cheney, Ethel; Virginia, Harriet; Schoonover, Aileen; Measuring; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (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;

International-style Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Sue Devlin, of Tacoma, and Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, entertain surrounding officers from their perches on chairs. Admirers, left to right, are Robert Sconce of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A.W. McMorris of Tacoma and Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer for the 248th Coast Artillery. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

Chamber of Commerce Gridiron Dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (T.Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Two couples at the Co-Ed Club dance. Fritz Haines, Roberta Cohoon, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Miller pose in formal wear at the April 21, 1939, Co-Ed Club dance. Behind them is a large emblem hung by wires. The event was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 4-29-39, p. 7)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Haines, Fritz; Cohoon, Roberta; Miller, Harry;

ca. 1925. The Hotel Winthrop, viewed from Pacific Ave. looking west. The construction in front of the Hotel is the Motoramp Garage. It was constructed at 745 Commerce on the site of the Hotel Donnelly. The Hotel Winthrop opened in May of 1925 and the Motoramp opened in August of 1925. (WSHS) BU-12083

Construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On Saturday March 11, 1939, the Bachelor Club hosted a large ball and style show in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. The backdrop for the show as an elegant cityscape with outlines of skyscrapers, a large bridge and a late model sedan. (filed with Argentum) (T.Times 3/18/1939, pg. 9)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor Club (Tacoma); Fashion shows;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. View of officals on rostrum.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. General view of room with people seated at tables.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jewelers Convention held at the Winthrop Hotel. (filed with Argentum)

Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

From November 17-23, 1941, communities across America celebrated the second annual National Art Week. The Tacoma Art Association observed the celebration by sponsoring an exhibit of local artists at the former location of the Helen Davis dress shop in the Hotel Winthrop. An unidentified clubwoman was photographed opening the door to the exhibit, which featured a variety of art including water colors, oils, charcoal, pastels, wood carvings, photography and handicrafts. Local artists were able to enter their works free of charge, and the public was invited to view the show for free and purchase the works of the artists. (T. Times 11/14/1941, pg. 19; 11/18/41, pg. 8; 11/19/41, pg. 18- all story only)

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma;

In September of 1942, Tacoma got its first visit from the new US Girl Soldiers. Two of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) members were stationed in Tacoma to push the recruitment of more women. Margaret Barth is pictured in her snappy uniform with Bob Sonnen at the Winthrop Hotel. Miss Barth wore the bars of a second lieutenant. The WAAC was established by a bill enacted May 14, 1942 and the first women began training in July of that year. It was abolished at the end of August of 1943 and replaced by the Women's Army Corps (WAC), making women bonafide members of the Army. The other branches of the service soon followed. Women enlisting in the WAACs were required to have a high school diploma and could be married, but had to be without children. (T. Times 9/24/1942, pg. 1)

Barth, Margaret; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (Tacoma);

Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Convention. Man in driver's seat of fire engine parked by Winthrop Hotel. The Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Convention was held in Tacoma during late July of 1940 with chiefs visiting from Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho and other western states. The unidentified gentleman behind the wheel of the fire engine may have been one of the many firemen in attendance.

Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs Convention was held in late July of 1940. The roof of the Winthrop Hotel was a favorite spot for photographing large groups as the downtown skyline made a memorable view. Men on roof of Winthrop Hotel, city and port in background.

Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cityscapes;

Over 100 firemen posed for a formal group photograph on the roof of the Hotel Winthrop in late July of 1940. From July 31 through August 3rd the 47th annual convention of the Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs was held in Tacoma. Emory N. Whitacker, Tacoma Fire Chief, was convention host to chiefs from Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho and other western states. With wives, guests, and concessionaires, the convention was expected to bring some 1,500 visitors to Tacoma. The Murray Morgan Bridge (11th St. Bridge), the City Waterway (now the Foss Waterway), and several of the prominent buildings on A Street including the Tacoma Building and the Perkins Building can be seen in the background.

Pacific Coast Association of Fire Chiefs (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cityscapes; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); City Waterway (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Perkins Building (Tacoma);

Banquet held during the Washington State Medical Association Convention held at the Hotel Winthrop. The convention began on 8/25/1940 and ran for four days, filled with business and social events. The 51st convention was expected to draw 400-600 medical men, spouses and auxiliary members. (T. Times 8/24/1940, pg. 1)

Washington State Medical Association (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Three young women are ready for the fashion show and auction of items donated for the seventh war loan drive. The young women on either side are "War Stamp Minute Maids" and carry war bonds and stamps to sell. They wear "V" for victory halo hats. The band is seated behind them. Admission to the auction was through the purchase of a $50 war bond. The fashion show and auction is being held at the Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3) TPL-9091

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Fred C. Hoffstetter drapes a mink fur around the shoulders of two unidentified "War Stamp Minute Maids." The first big event in connection with the Seventh War Loan campaign was held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. The program, to raise money for the continuing war, included a fashion show, music, and an auction of over 120 articles donated by Tacoma merchants. Mr. Hoffstetter, owner of the Tacoma Avenue Auction House at 923 So. Tacoma Ave., was the auctioneer for the evening. Admission was by purchase of a $50 bond for $37.50. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fur garments; Hoffstetter, Fred C.;

Tacoma boxer Freddie Steele, former middleweight champion, shakes hands with an unidentified man at the Winthrop Hotel during a October 2, 1945, visit to promote the film "The Story of GI Joe" in which he played a shell-shocked Army sergeant. A boxing prodigy by age 15, Freddie Steele would have a long career with only five losses in 133 bouts. He retired from the ring in 1938 after a titanic battle with Seattle's Al Hostak which saw him lose his crown by knockout. Mr. Steele would appear in several films including "Gentleman Jim Corbett" and "Hail the Conquering Hero" after making a brief, unsuccessful boxing comeback in 1941. ALBUM 9.

Steele, Freddie, 1912-1984; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir group of dealers. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association honored E. E. Westman, who is retiring after more than 25 year of service in the plywood industry. Westman was presented with a set of matching luggage. Left to right view of Dennis M. Slenning, E. E. Westman, E. W. Daniels and J. H. Smith (T. Times, 4/18/46, p. 5).

Luggage; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Retirements--Tacoma; Westman, E. E.--Commemoration;

Bill Edwards plays the piano for Irish tenor Gabe Keith in this photograph from January 1944. Edwards and Keith were two of the performers in a series of shows put on by the employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Ship Building Corp. to support the Fourth War Loan drive. Although most of their performances were to entertain their fellow workers during lunch periods for the first and second shift, they were also invited to perform for the Young Men's Business Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 1/21/1944, p.3; 1/27/1944, p.10)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Winthrop Christmas Party. A large group of young adults gather near the Christmas tree in this photograph from December of 1943. Most of the young men are wearing uniforms.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In March of 1945, Reverend George J. G. Grieve, as guest of honor at a program held at the Winthrop Hotel, spoke on the subject "The Britain of the Future". The program was sponsored by the International Services committee and the British Service Club. The entertainment for the day included a variety show presented by this enthusiastic group of young Tacomans. The third girl in from the right in the second row, with a sailors hat, is Dolores Horr. On her left (the second girl in that row) is Gale Gustafson. TPL-8572

Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; British Service Club (Tacoma); Tap dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Scottish Rite Ball. Guys and gals dance to the music of Bob Dickinson's Orchestra at the Crystal Ball Room in the Hotel Winthrop. Some of the men are in uniform. The women wear floor-length gowns and corsages. Part of the stage and the orchestra can be seen in the background.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scottish Rite (Tacoma);

Two gentlemen who were present at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads board of directors luncheon on July 13, 1950, at the Hotel Winthrop, gaze at an enlarged photograph of the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed during high winds on November 7, 1940. The man seated at left is C.H. Buford, president of the Milwaukee Road.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

Masquerade party given by Joyce Myles on December 26, 1950 in the Winthrop Hotel's Wedgwood Room. Four people dressed in costume, one as frontiersman, another as Indian maiden. Room has Classical window inset with stained glass, palm trees painted on wall. Joyce Myles had invited many of her college friends to this fun event. (TNT 12-30-1950, p. 4- alt. photos)

Masquerades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);