Ivanhoe Commandery of the Knights Templar. Members of the Knights Templar are dressed in decorated robes, uniforms, hats and crowns in front of a stage hung with a large cross at the Masonic Temple. York Rites delegates to the annual state convention arrived Saturday, May 10, 1947, for meetings of the three grand bodies. The meetings of the twenty-eight commanderies of the Knights Templar was highlighted by a parade from the Masonic Temple to the First Christian Church on May 11th, 1947. This was the 60th conclave of grand commandery of Knights Templar of Washington (T.Times, 5/9/1947, p.1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Knights Templar (Tacoma); Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar (Tacoma);

Rainbow Convention. Several young women cadets and three military officers outside beside brick building with a tiled roof. The cadets are saluting.

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drill teams; Military officers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950; Uniforms;

Rainbow Convention. Pierce County Rainbow Girls hosted the 21st annual session of the Grand Assembly of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls June 22, 23 and 24, 1947. 1,500 girls from Washington, Idaho and Alaska met for the 25th anniversary of Rainbow in Washington State. Fifteen young women wearing floor length gowns and heart-shaped hats. A piano and flower decorations can be seen on the stage behind them. (T.Times, 6/19/1947)

Rainbow Girls (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns; Hats--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950;

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Arthur W. Slayer, fifth from the left in the front row, is Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star for 1947. She presided over the 3-day state convention. (T.Times, 6/19/1947, p.11)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Eastern Star Convention at Armory. Mrs. Eva Holland Hamilton of Chicago is on the right. She was the Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Grand Chapter and was a visitor throughout the 59th annual session of Order of the Eastern Star held in Tacoma in June 1947. Mrs. Stephen J. Chadwick of Olympia, a past Most Worthy Matron of the General Grand Chapter, was affectionately known as "the First Lady" in Washington Eastern Star. She is wearing an overblouse of lace and crochet. Both women wear corsages. (T.Times, 6/28/1947, p.12)

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hamilton, Eva Holland; Chadwick, Stephen J.--Family;

Eastern Star Convention at the New Yorker Cafe, Margaret Kinnich. The Grand Chapter of Washington Order of Eastern Star held its session in Tacoma June 19 - 21, 1947. More than 2,000 members and guests were expected from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and British Columbia. A banquet was held at the New Yorker for past grand matrons and past grand patrons at the New Yorker. (T.Times, 6/12/1947, p.10) Format 6" x 10".

Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 7, 1943, the members of the fraternal order of Eagles turned out in force at "Scrap Iron Acres," Pierce County's salvage depot near the Pacific Match Co. at 3223 So. Union. They were volunteering their time to help sort some of the 3,000 tons of salvage metal and load steel onto a railroad car for transport to a Seattle Steel mill. By the end of the day 65 tons of steel was on its way to be converted to tools of war. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;

After one railroad car was filled with scrap steel on March 7, 1943, the volunteers from the Eagles pushed it to another location to wait for transport to a Seattle steel mill. Pictured pushing the freight car are Police judge W.A. Richmond and lending a hand are Earl Taylor and Fred Race. (T. Times 3/8/1943, pg. 1)

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Pacific Match Co. (Tacoma); Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Emmett Anderson, the past Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks No. 174, is visiting Tacoma and will be delivering the eulogy at the annual Elk's memorial services. The public is invited to attend the memorial services. Max Frolic is the event's chairman and the ritual will be conducted by Jerry Geehan, the current Grand Exalted Ruler. View of Emmett T. Anderson standing in front of his caricature, other Elks members are standing by him (T. Times, 12/2/47, p. 18).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Caricatures; Visiting; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.;

Exterior view of Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174. The Elks building had just been painted and repaired, additional remodeling would also be done on the interior of the building. Elks members chose this site in 1914 and it was officially opened in 1916. The stairs are spanish style and have a decorative balustrade between Broadway and Commerce Street. The style of the building could be classified as part of the Beaux-Arts movement with many classical and renaissance features including the symmetrical facade, grand arched openings, medallions and decorative swags. The Elks relocated to a new temple on So. Union Ave. in 1965.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Balustrades--Tacoma; Balusters; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Elk's Temple (Tacoma);

Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell installation at Fellowship Hall, Don Shotwell. The Daughters of the Nile held their annual installation of officers of the Zora Temple No. 5 March 26, 1948, in Fellowship Hall of the Masonic Temple. These thirteen women wear evening gowns, above-the-elbow lace, fingerless gloves, and floral headpieces. The purpose of the order is to pursue "a philosophy of living which will enable them (the members), when shadows lengthen, to look back on a life well spent." The order also assists the Shriners in their work pertaining to crippled children. (T.Times, 3/20/1948, p.9; Fraternal Organizations, Alvin J. Schmidt, 1980)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Lillian M. (Mrs. J.Donald) Shotwell was installed as Queen of the Zora Temple No. 5 of the Daughters of the Nile in a ceremony held at Fellowship Masonic Hall on March 26, 1948. The room had been transformed into a scene of Oriental splendor with the river Nile flowing in the background. The Egyptian chorus and Egyptian dancers performed. Queen Lillian Shotwell carried a shower bouquet of baby orchids for the installation. Mrs. Shotwell is shown seated on the throne, which is covered with oriental carpets. She is wearing an evening gown, robe with a long train and a crown. Ordered by Don Shotwell. (T.Times, 3/20/1948, p.9) TPL-6478

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowns; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shotwell, Lilian M.; Stage props; Fellowship Hall (Tacoma);

Exalted Ruler and trustee at Elks Club, Jack Brouillard, Elks Club. Two men are working out at the Elks Club playing handball. They are wearing gloves on both hands to be able to hit the ball with either hand.

Elks Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sport clothes; Athletes--Tacoma;

25 girls attending banquet at Crawford's Delta Rho Gamma, Phyllis Brynestad. The Delta Rho Gamma sorority of Pacific Lutheran College held several reunions in the first week of September 1948 and on September 11th, Crawford's Sea Grill was the scene of a reunion banquet. Several of the young women would be going to different colleges in the fall and this was the last reunion before their departure. Miss Beulah Heidahl, new dean of women at PLC, was also introduced. The sorority women are seen here watching home movies. (TNT, 9/12/1948, p.D-1)

Delta Rho Gamma (Parkland); Fraternities & sororities--Parkland--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Group portraits; Motion pictures;

Governor Mon C. Wallgren visits the Olympia Eagles Lodge. Three members of the Eagles are seen with a book standing open on a stand between a American flag and a statue of an eagle holding scales in his beak.

Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Books; Flags--United States; Sculpture--Olympia;

Several of the membership are taking an oath at an Eagles meeting in Olympia. Governor Mon C. Wallgren attended the meeting this evening.

Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Meetings--Olympia--1940-1950;

Installation of officers, White Shrine Masonic Temple, studio spec. The White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded as a Christian auxiliary to Freemasons in the United States. There were 69,000 members in 1995. Until 1953 members of the White Shrine of Jerusalem were required to be members of the Eastern Star. The original White Shrine of Jerusalem was founded by Charles D. Magee in Chicago on October 23, 1894. Membership is open to Master Masons as well as their wives, mothers, daughters, widows, and sisters. Members are known as Sojourners; the head of the organization is the Supreme Worthy High Priestess. (International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997)

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inaugurations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The faces of three girls can be seen through the valentines that decorate the stage at the Elks Temple for the annual Father and Daughter Valentines party. Cutouts of butterflies decorate the draperies and swags of tinsel hang over the stage.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Children's parties; Valentines;

Twenty-two members of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and their house mother pose for this group portrait. Ordered by Judith I. (Mrs. Willard) Hedlund.

Beta Sigma Phi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The White Clover Chapter of Eastern Star held their 59th installation of new officers at the South Tacoma Masonic Temple in March 1952. Dora E. (Mrs. H.J.) O'Connor, past matron, gave the welcome and Mrs. Lloyd Dorfner and Marley Parker, retiring worth matron and patron, presided. Names of those elected for the coming year and assisting in the ceremonies are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.D-8)

Order of Eastern Star White Clover Chapter No. 31 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scottish Rite officers.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The class of new members at the Elks. Four smiling men were photographed on March 13, 1952.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Men--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite group of fourteen men in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

For the second year in a row, the Royal Arch Masons of Washington met at the Tenino sandstone quarry to confer the Mark Masters degree to certain recipients in an outdoor ceremony. Royal Arch Masons from throughout Washington congregated in August, 1951; invitations were limited to Masons only and not the general public. Centralia Chapter #44 coordinated the gathering while officers of Sunset Chapter #23, Chehalis, opened the ceremonies. (TNT 8-9-51, B-5)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

The Delta Theta sorority held their summer dance, a "Night in Monte Carlo" at the Fircrest Golf Club. The summer dance was held annually to honor members of the social group who would be departing soon for college. Ordered by Delta Theta. (TNT, 8/23/1952, p.20)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest);

Maruta Versemnicks, from Latvia, admires the doll and wardrobe which was sold to benefit the Tacoma-Pierce County School for Crippled Children. This was one of the benefit projects the Chi chapter, Beta Sigma Phi, had scheduled for the year. Sylvia (Mrs. Lloyd J.) Sass was chairman of the committee handling the project. Maruta is wearing a leg brace. From 1949-50, the School for Crippled Children was housed in the basement of the First Congregational Church at 211 So. J St. In 1953, the school moved to its new home at 5030 E. Roosevelt Ave. in Salishan. It would remain there for approximately ten years. (TNT, 11/2/1952, p.D-10)

Beta Sigma Phi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dolls; Orthopedic braces; Versemnicks, Maruta; Crippled Childrens School (Tacoma);

The downtown streets of 9th and Pacific are blocked off so that spectators can enjoy the three hour long June, 1957, Pacific Northwest Shrine Association parade. Marching in formation is the large El Katif Shrine Band from Spokane with general membership to the rear. Fourteen temples sent representatives and bands to the three-day convention; they came from across the Pacific Northwest as well as two provinces in Canada. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association.

Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Spokane; Marching bands; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jobs Daughters installation. Participants in the 35th installation of Bethel 8, Job's Daughters on December 8, 1956, clasp their hands in prayer. Those kneeling in white garments have positioned themselves in the shape of a cross. Three of the young girls are wearing tiaras; Queen Carol Berglund at the foot of the "cross" is carrying long stem flowers. "Winter Fantasie" was the theme of the public installation ceremonies held in the Gothic Room, Masonic Temple. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. Carl Berglund. (TNT 12-5-56, C-11)

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berglund, Carol;

Job's Daughters installation. Carol Berglund, center with roses, was crowned honored Queen at the 35th installation of the Bethel #8, International Order of Job's Daughters on December 8, 1956. She was wearing a lovely satin floor length gown, a ceremonial wrap, and a tiara. Carol is the daughter of Carl and Ellen Berglund. Sepia photograph ordered by Mrs. Carl Berglund. (TNT 12-5-56, C-11)

International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berglund, Carol;

Sigma Chi sweethearts group. The "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" would be announced at the Delta Phi Chapter's annual formal Sweetheart Ball at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. Sigma Chi was a men's social fraternity at the College of Puget Sound. The sweetheart candidates were, left to right, Roberta Elson, from Kirkland, of Chi Omega, Alayne Fletcher, from Olympia, of Alpha Phi, Joyce Tyler, of Marysville, of Delta Delta Delta, Diane Colwell, of Seattle, of Pi Beta Phi and Marilyn Lyons, of Auburn, Independents. Roberta Elson, the blonde blue-eyed freshman coed, was crowned the Sweetheart of 1955. (TNT 02-20-1955, pg. D-6, 2-26-1955, pg. 1)

Sigma Chi (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Elson, Roberta; Fletcher, Alayne; Tyler, Joyce; Colwell, Diane; Lyons, Marilyn;