The 1959 Annie Wright Seminary May Day Queen was Cynthia Reid Fanshawe of Billings, Montana. She was crowned on a bright and sunny May 9th in 1959 in ceremonies performed on the lawn of the campus. Cynthia, also known as "Fanny," was a talented artist and musician. She belonged to the drama club Masque and sang with the choir. She was remembered in the yearbook as being enthusiastic, considerate and a good sport. She served as president of the athletic association S.A.C. (yearbook "The Shield" 1959, TNT 5/17/1959, pg. D-7))

Fanshawe, Cynthia; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The ivy-covered walls of Annie Wright Seminary do not appear to have changed in the decades since the school was established. The elegant brick buildings of the college preparatory school for girls still remain in the city's northend. The Tudor Gothic style buildings were designed by architects Sutton Whitney and Dugan and built by J.E. Bonnell, contractor. Photograph ordered by the Shield yearbook.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings; Private schools--Tacoma;

These little Annie Wright Seminary pupils were probably studying the Netherlands in class as they stand by a table full of Dutch artifacts. Painted wooden shoes, books, and cutouts of a windmill and forest area adorn the large, round table. Most of the girls are holding dolls wearing Dutch costume and two clasping small shoes. L-R as listed in the Annie Wright 1963 yearbook are Class 3: Janie Gilpin, Vicky Daley, Janice North, Katherine Lisk, Sarah Fisken, Julie Johnson, Wendy Wagner, Cheri Crocker, Alice Reberger, Elizabeth Murray. (1963: The Shield, p. 31)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Toys; Books; Shoes; Dolls;

Twelve Annie Wright Seminary lower school students gather around a large wooden circular table in March, 1963, as they pose for annual pictures. They are probably in the school's library. Each girl is wearing a dark plaid dress, which is the same uniform worn by younger students. Class 6, L-R as listed in the 1963 Annie Wright yearbook: First row: Margaret Brown, Jeanne Rowland, Carol-Anne Wilson, Diane Hamill, Treena Andersen, Peggy Rockwood. Second row: Cathy Agrelius, Carla Will, Debra Gress, Jane Long, Brynn Ann Foss, Linda Ross. (1963: The Shield, p. 32)

School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; Uniforms;

A newly crowned Kai Wonderly reigns as the 1968 May Day Queen on the campus of Annie Wright Seminary. Kai is a senior and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wonderly of Tacoma. Dressed in traditional white gown with long, flowing train, she is seated on a flower-bedecked throne holding her scepter and a bouquet of colorful daisies. A jeweled crown rests upon her light brown hair. Color photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1960-1970; Private schools--Tacoma; May Day; Festivals--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wonderly, Kai; Students--Tacoma--1960-1970; Crowns;

On August 19, 1959, eight co-eds from the Annie Wright Seminary lent a hand in mortaring the new library wing at the school. The girls were, left to right, Margaret Woodhams, athletics; Lib Hewitt, secretary service league; Frances Finnigan, Class VIII president; Peggy Yates, of Puyallup, senior yearbook editor; Caroline Woodhams, secretary treasurer of the student body; Shirley Cartozian, Christmas Carnival; Laurie Grenley, vice president freshman class; and Missy Hyde, Class VII president. This group was part of a larger planned gathering for class and school officers to make plans for the upcoming school year. The new library wing was completed in November of 1959 at at cost of $170,000. It was of Tudor design, with 4,000 square feet of room to house 16,000 volumes and 68 students. The upper floors had bedrooms, storage and bath space. Photograph ordered by AWS for the Tacoma News Tribune. (TNT 8/23/1959, pg. D-3-alternate photograph of students)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Woodhams, Margaret; Hewitt, Lib; Finnigan, Frances; Yates, Peggy; Woodhams, Caroline; Cartozian, Shirley; Grenley, Laurie; Hyde, Missy;

Annie Wright students decorate the Great Hall. Two tables are decorated with holiday centerpieces, candles, and tea and coffee services. A large Christmas tree stands near a set of tall windows. A balcony with wooden barrier runs across the end of the room that can be seen as well as a large fireplace with a portrait hung above it.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Christmas trees--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations;

Annie Wright students decorate the Great Hall. Two teenage students place presents beneath the large Christmas tree. The building was designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan architects and opened September 18, 1924.

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas trees--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary offered a variety of school classes and extracurricular activities. They had an exceptional drama department, speech programs, student council and many other options. Social events were planned regularly for the students. View of six students wearing their uniforms with saddle shoes and smiling as their picture is taken.

Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; Students--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary was a college preparatory school for girls. Miss Ruth Jenkins was the headmistress of the school. View of fourteen students standing in front of the great stairway facing the entrance door, view of bottom half of Annie Wright portrait at top of stairs.

Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; Uniforms; Students--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary offered girls college preparatory classes. They had students from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, Montana, Nevada, California and Alaska. View of thirteen students with their instructor reading over their "Junior Journals".

Uniforms; Students--Tacoma; Group portraits; Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A rousing game of baseball is underway at Annie Wright's annual Dads Day celebration. Families were invited to the school and games were planned for this particular day set aside to honor students' Dads.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Annie Wright lower school students in matching outfits for the 1952 May Day celebration.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Annie Wright Seminary's 1952 May Day Queen Marilyn Earley, surrounded by her family. Marilyn Earley was from Gig Harbor and was the Student Body President. She was a member of Masque (the drama club), Choir and Glee Club and a First Team Hockey and Basketball Player. (Annie Wright yearbook "The Shield 1952")

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Photo of play rehearsal at Annie Wright Seminary, "The Mikado." The largest junior class in the history of Annie Wright presented the colorful Junior Operetta "The Mikado." Class officers were Leonna Saffren, Molly Dahlquist and Gloria Davis. (Annie Wright yearbook "The Shield 1952")

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Japanese; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In November of 1951, a group of girls at Annie Wright Seminary worked on items for Christmas carnival. These young women in sewing class made aprons and other items for the bazaar. Ordered by F. Russell.

Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sewing machines; Sewing--Tacoma;

Daddies Day at Annie Wright Semimary Lower School. Girls share notebooks and art projects with fathers in classroom. The uniform at this time was a sailor-style dress. Table-type desks are large, to accommodate both child and parent. These children and their dads were photographed on May 17, 1952.

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Fathers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Play rehearsal at Annie Wright Seminary. Large group of girls dressed in Japanese costumes on stage of school theater. These actors, part of the largest junior class in the school's history, performed the operetta, "The Mikado," in May of 1952. (1952 Shield yearbook -alt. photograph)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Japanese;

Annie Wright Seminary offered kindergarten-4 through high school graduation education for girls; the kindergarten classes were for boys and girls. In 1949 Annie Wright's headmistress was Ruth Jenkins, Stephen Fielding Bayne Jr. was the school's Right Reverend. View of the Kindergarten-4 class; their teacher is showing the students how to count, Donald Duck is on the bookshelf in the back of the classroom (AWS Shield, 1949). TPL-8332

Teachers--Tacoma; Classrooms--Tacoma; Boarding schools--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

View of the Annie Wright Seminary Kindergarten-4 class; Arthur Norman, Calvin Bamford, Helen Bannon, Richard Boyd, Sandra Brines, Karen Halfhill, Katherine Howe, Christine Kunz, Bettylou Lagerquist, Donald McNeill, Susan Phillips, Jay Riebe, Steven Sutton, Elizabeth Taylor, Jenny Walker, Pamela Weinstein, Sandra Young, and William Young. Kindergarten-4 teacher is possibly Eloise Ash or Norma Lyness (AWS Shield, 1949).

Teachers--Tacoma; Classrooms--Tacoma; Boarding schools--Tacoma; Storytelling--Tacoma; Reading--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Group of approximately 9 students and mothers at Seminary, Annie Wright Seminary, Miss Lewis. Annie Wright was preparing for the opening of school the next week. This year marked the seminary's 65th year. Annie's Party, the traditional gathering of old and new students, was held September 15th, 1948. Walking together in front of the school are, L-R, Phyllis Ridge, president of the Raynor Guild; Marie Lynn, student; Gail Connor, president of the student council, Maria Weiss, student in school uniform, ready to enter Class I; Ruth Jenkins, head mistress; Donald J. McNeil, Jr., student in the 4 year kindergarten; Mildred Russell, president of the junior class, Nancy Osmers, student; and Sheila Abel, president of the Masque Players. (TNT, 9/12/1948, p. D-1)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary was having a full day of activities, including their annual banquet hosted by the Athletic Association, a theatrical production featuring many of the classes, and the crowning of the May Queen. View of Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, school children are dressed as bunnies for "The King and the Piper" production. The younger children at Annie Wright would be dressed a animals and creatures (T. Times, 5/12/47, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, children are dressed as the royal attendants for the 1948 May Queen. Marilyn Meyer, daughter of Fred J. and Florence Meyer, of Tacoma would be crowned the May Queen of Annie Wright Seminary. These children would present her with her scepter and her crown. The May Day festival would also have a traditional May Pole dance. From L to R: Ruth McLeod, Gretchen Collins, Barbara McBride, Jane Weyerhaeuser, Mitzie Weiss,Barbara Benson, Karen Ramsted, Robin Cunningham (T. Times, 5/12/48, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Ray Ridge Motors. A front on view of a new 1947 Lincoln Continental featuring the grill, headlamps, bumper, fenders and windshield. The finish provides beautiful reflections of the plantings at Annie Wright Seminary. The driver and his companion sit in the front seat.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln Continental automobile; Private schools--Tacoma;

Ray Ridge Motors. A side view of a new 1947 Lincoln Continental showing the long hood, gleaming hood ornament, rounded front fenders, highly chromed front grill and bumper. This two door coupe stands outside Annie Wright Seminary. TPL-8481

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln Continental automobile; Private schools--Tacoma; Automobile radiator ornaments;

Activities at Annie Wright Seminary. Ten members of the Seminary Athletic Council at Annie Wright Seminary pose with a plaque with a figure of the headless, winged victory. Several smaller, individual, engraved plaques hang from the bottom of the larger plaque. The council was one of the governing bodies at the seminary and planned athletic actiities, Dad's Day, Initiation, and the May Day Banquet. The girls wear one of their uniforms, dark skirts, white blouses with peter pan collars, a scarf at the collar opening and dark v-neck sweaters with the Annie Wright emblem on the left breast. (The Shield, 1950)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plaques--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Rt. Reverend Thomas Jenkins, retired Episcopal Bishop of Nevada, and his daughter Miss Ruth Jenkins, headmistress of Annie Wright Seminary, pause in front of a portrait of the Bishop which hangs in the residential cottage of the seminary. Rev. Jenkins was in Tacoma delivering a series of three sermons on "The Resurrection" sponsored by the Episcopal Men of Pierce County. Rev. Jenkins was born in 1871 and died in 1955. (TNT 3/7/1950 pg. 11)

Portraits; Vestments; Clergy; Jenkins, Thomas; Jenkins, Ruth; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Junior Prom at Annie Wright seminary. Three couples pose at the foot of the staircase while one of the students reviews her dance card. Two other Annie Wright students can be seen on the stairs. Ordered by Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/7/1950, p.D-6, The Shield, 1951, p. 9)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The confirmation class for 1950 pose in Raynor Chapel at Annie Wright Seminary. A three-paneled glass screen is shown at the center of the altar with the chapel's stained glass window behind them. The young women wear white shirt-waist dresses with short sleeves and white scarves over their heads.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Leaded glass windows--Tacoma; Stained glass--Tacoma; Raynor Chapel (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. A copy of an old photograph of a woman playing tennis at Annie Wright Seminary. Ordered by Mrs. Frances C. Russell, director of public relations at Annie Wright Seminary. This photographic copy was made May 8, 1950.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Private schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennis--Tacoma;