Washington School 6A Class, photographed in front of their school in January of 1933. Building by Frederick Heath, Architect, 1906. The woman on the left is believed to be Mrs. Jennie French, principal of Washington from 1926-1941.

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Washington School. Group of grade school children on steps of school in October of 1932.

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Washington School 1B Class. The first grade students pose in front of their northend elementary school in October of 1932. The school was built in 1906 and is named in honor of George Washington. (filed with Argentum)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Washington School Kindergarten. The beginning students pose with rhythm instruments in front of the school in October of 1932. (filed with Argentum)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

Jason Lee Junior High School 9A class in June of 1932. Group of students with sports equipment. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma)--Group portraits--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lowell School 6A Graduating Class, 1932, on school steps. (filed with Argentum)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--1930-1940; Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lowell School 6A Graduating Class, 1932, and teacher on school steps. (filed with Argentum)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--1930-1940; Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lowell School 6A Graduating Class, 1932, and teacher on school steps. (filed with Argentum)

Public Schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--1930-1940; Lowell Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Washington School 6A class, photographed outside the school in June of 1932. Building by Frederick Heath, Architect, 1906. The woman on the right is believed to be Mrs. Jennie French, principal of Washington School from 1926-41. (filed with Argentum)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington School (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Boy from Jason Lee Orchestra playing bassoon in front of school. The boy is probably Bruce Allen, a noted juvenile bassoonist, who would have been around 9 years old at the time of this picture. The bassoon is one of the most difficult wood instruments and is usually not attempted by such young players. By 1938, Bruce had been studying for over 2 years and played in the Tacoma Times Jr. Concert Band (formerly known as the Mickey Mouse Band.) He was placed first chair by the conductor of the Junior Orchestra at the 1938 high school music festival in St. Louis. (T. Times 1/8/1937, pg. 7; T. Times 5/20/1938)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Bassoons; Wind instruments; Allen, Bruce;

In June of 1935, some of Annie Wright Seminary's earliest alumnae returned to the campus to help celebrate the school's 50th anniversary. The girls school opened in September of 1884 at 611 Division Ave. and these ladies were some of the first students. As a part of the anniversary celebration, they took part in a seminary pageant, modeling outfits from that opening year. Pictured seated are, left to right, Mrs. W.H. Dickson (Gertrude Holt,) Mrs. Frank Allyn (Flora Long,) Mrs. Alice Rector Watson (Alice Rector) and Miss Isabel Holt. Standing are Mrs. Bassie (Maud Burr) and Mrs. Warren Brown (Jennie Forbes.) Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum) (T.Times 6/13/1938, pg. 10)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Dickson, Gertrude; Allyn, Flora; Watson, Alice; Holt, Isabel; Bassie, Maud; Brown, Jennie; Annie Wright Seminary--Alumni & alumnae; Private schools--Tacoma;

Steps and hedge at Annie Wright Seminary, one of the possible locations for the abduction of George Weyerhaeuser on May 24, 1935. He was kidnapped from the grounds of seminary, near the tennis courts, as he walked at noontime from Lowell Elementary to meet his sister at the seminary and travel home for lunch. The boy was held for $200,000 in ransom. (T. Times 5/26/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

Close-up view of Annie Wright Seminary. Building by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1924. Photograph taken for the T. Times in conjunction with the investigation into the kidnapping of George Hunt Weyerhaeuser. On May 24, 1935, George was kidnapped near noon from the grounds of Annie Wright. He had left his school, Lowell Elementary, and walked to meet his sister Ann at the seminary intending to ride home with her for lunch. The Weyerhaeusers were informed at around 3 p.m. that their son was missing. A ransom note, demanding $200,000 arrived around 6:30pm. that evening. (T. Times 5/26/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

The drive between the hedges at the Annie Wright Seminary. This road led downhill from Tacoma Ave. between the seminary grounds and the tennis court property. The seminary grounds were the location of the abduction of 9 year old George Weyerhaeuser on May 24, 1935. He was kidnapped near the tennis courts and whisked away in a waiting car. Between the time of his abduction on May 24th and his release on June 1st, he was held in two pre-dug pits prepared for his capture and in a rental house closet at 1509 W. 11th Ave. in Spokane. (T. Times 5/26/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

A young man with a tennis racquet, tentatively identified as Weyerhaeuser acquaintance Bob Taylor, poses on a path at Annie Wright Seminary, near the area where 9 year old George Weyerhaeuser was kidnapped on May 24, 1935. The path was possibly used by the kidnappers. The Weyerhaeuser kidnapping was the second most famous in the nation and Tacoma's most sensational crime. It had everything to make newspaper headlines, a handsome grade school boy and a moneyed family desperate for his return. The retiring Weyerhaeusers however spoke only to the police and moved secretly so that publicity did not prevent George from being released. By June 1, 1935, George had been released. The first set of suspects was arrested within weeks, a former Puyallup couple named Harmon and Margaret Waley, and they identified the third suspect, William Dainard, who was arrested almost a year later. (T. Times 5/26/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day, also known as May Day, 5/1/1935. Girls leaving pitch after playing Field Hockey.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Field hockey; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day, also known as May Day, Mary 1, 1935. Girls playing Field Hockey. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Field hockey--Tacoma;Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Annie Wright Seminary Field Day, also known as May Day, May 1, 1935. Girls playing Field Hockey. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Field hockey--Tacoma;Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The culmination of the festivities on May day at Annie Wright School, located at 827 Tacoma Avenue North, is the winding of the May Pole. In this photograph from 1935 the school's younger pupils dance around the pole to the approving gaze of upper classmen, friends and relatives. Originally known as Field Day, the May Day celebration included music, dance, sports and the crowning of the May Queen; it is one of the most treasured traditions of the school. In 1935 Marian Guyles was crowned May Queen.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; May poles--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 01, 1935. Barefoot girls in long dresses dancing on lawn. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day --Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Girls in ethnic (?) costumes on lawn behind building. Loudspeaker above their heads. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Little Girls in short dresses dancing on lawn. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Little girls in short dresses dancing on lawn. The dance is a modern one, utilizing white scarves.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Processional, two rows of little girls in short dresses flanking Royal Court in long gowns and hats. School building in background. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Processional, many girls in dresses, building in background and May Pole tied with ribbons in foreground. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Processional; group headed by flag bearers, then two lines of women in white dresses overlaid with cap and gowns, followed by girls of a variety of ages in white dresses and head veils. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Processional, many girls in dresses on lawn, audience in folding chairs. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary May Day activities, May 1, 1935. Processional with Queen leading. School building in background. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary annual Field Day, May of 1935. Girls play Field Hockey behind the school. (filed with Argentum)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Field hockey;

Annie Wright Seminary. Faculty standing on school steps.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940;