Back of Photo:
Seniors
Photograph by Jerry Buck

Back of Photo:
The Big Pitch
Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston pitches the first horseshoe as the Metropolitan Park District's new senior citizen's park in the Salishan area was dedicated Friday afternoon. City and Park officials as well as a number of senior citizens attended ceremonies.
Russ Carmack/Photographer

“Low enrollments and inefficient structures may force Tacoma to close some schools, rebuild or remodel others.” Lister elementary was expensive to upkeep and faced several problems. It was 300 students short of its total capacity of 650. The school was initially built as a community center, and gymnasium and additions were later added. The different elements fit together awkwardly. Photo by staff member Warren Anderson.

Back of photo:
School, Lister Elementary
Feb 14 1982

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.

Bryan Johnson from Lister Elementary School introduces a film he made in 2003 with his 5th grade students.

The oral history prompts were available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Marshallese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Somali, and Russian

Caroline Edmiston is a professional chef turned tax attorney who is creative-minded and always looking for the next exciting thing to learn. Caroline shares this piece from the Food Bridges Us writing workshop. It is about sneaking cookies and is titled "Schnecken". Schnecken is a German cookie that is shaped like a snail, sometimes compared to a small cinnamon roll.

Oral history interview of John J. Thomas conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.

Submitted family interview with Yvonne Zubalik. The interview was conducted by Janis Zubalik, Susan Zubalik, and Jonah Engle in April 2023. The accompanying image was taken in spring 2022 of Yvonne and her children on Monroe Street in the Proctor district. Pictured are (back row left to right) Susan, Janis, Steven, and Yvonne Zubalik (front row left to right) Anne Hopper and Katie Rhodes).

Oral history interview of Anna Howerton and Poulsen Vanya conducted on February 25th, 2023, as part of the Archiving South Tacoma Communities event located at the South Tacoma Branch

The following description is written from Vanya Poulsen:

Who is in the photograph?
Mother ran the board, help serve individuals w/ mental illness/PTSD

What memory is contained in this photo?
Family history of group home
-Lasted over 50 years

Oral history interview of Jim Harnish conducted by dindria barrow on March 25, 2023, as part of the Archiving Northeast Communities event located at the Kobetich library branch.

Oral history interview of Frederick Andrew Bartels conducted by dindria barrow on April 8th, 2023, as part of the Archiving Northeast Communities event located at the Mottet library branch.