Breezes cause the ribbons and train of Erin Lombard, Annie Wright Seminary's 1953 Queen of May, to ripple gently as she poses with Headmistress Ruth Jenkins on May 9, 1953. Each year a senior is honored by the Seminary at the May Day festivities. Miss Lombard hails from the Yakima area and is the daughter of the Harry Lombards, Jr. A special guest at the event was the presence of her grandmother, the former Aimee Porter, who graduated from Annie Wright sixty years before. (TNT 5-17-53, D-1)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lombard, Erin; Jenkins, Ruth;

Annie Wright Seminary senior Erin Lombard was chosen the 1953 Queen of May. She has evidently been crowned as she is already wearing her tiara. She is flanked by two beaming kindergarteners in white who were possibly herald and crown bearers. May Day festivities were well attended by alumnae, students and friends. Activities were held both on the seminary lawns and within the school buildings.

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

Annie Wright Seminary had a large Lower School in the 1950's. Most students would attend school functions such as the annual May Day festival and probably perform in some capacity. Here a group of nineteen little girls smile happily, and in some cases shyly, for the camera. They may have been dressed to participate in a program of modern dance which was presented before the Queen and her court.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The May Queen and her court. Queen Erin Lombard is surrounded by the 26 members of her senior class, maid of honor Marilyn Wotton, flag bearer Eleanor Walker, and numerous kindergarten attendants as she reigns over the 1953 May Day festivities. Positioned on the giant steps in front of ivy-covered halls of Annie Wright Seminary, Queen Erin is seated on a flower bedecked rattan chair, her long train cascading down in front of her. The entire school would be present to honor the May Queen as well as alumnae and friends. It would be the final farewell to the school before graduation for the senior class and queen. (TNT 5-3-53, D-2, TNT 5-17-53, D-1, The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 45)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lombard, Erin; Wotton, Marilyn; Walker, Eleanor;

Although Annie Wright Seminary was a girls' school, little boys were allowed to attend the K-4 and K-5 classes. Here they participated with the girls in various pre-school and kindergarten activities like taking field trips to Point Defiance Zoo and riding the train to Olympia, building a creche for Christmas, marching in Easter and Halloween parades, and creating their own "made-up" dances and songs. The entire school would also participate in special events, such as the May Day festival, to honor the May Queen and her court. These 22 children were probably dressed to perform in a program of modern dance under the direction of Nancy Jane Bare. (The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 31)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Organizers of the 1953 annual Founder's Day celebration at Annie Wright Seminary view portrait of school founder Bishop John Adams Paddock. On the left is JoAnn (Mrs. Rush E.) Stouffer, who is in charge of the annual event and on the right is Jeanne (Mrs. Robert L.) Chapman, president of the AWS alumnae board. Bishop Paddock is described as an educator, fighter and pioneer. Bishop Paddock came to the Washington Territory from a parish in Brooklyn, New York, in 1881. He founded the school three years later in 1884. (TNT 10/16/1953, pg. B-2)

Paintings; Chapman, Jeanne; Stouffer, JoAnn B.; Paddock, John Adams; Portraits; Vestments; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Main entrance at Annie Wright Seminary; four children pose against a colorful backdrop for the Christmas Carnival, photo ordered by the TNT. The carnival was held on December 3rd from 12-4 at Keator Hall on the AWS campus. The general theme of the carnival, sponsored by the Mothers Club, was "Christmas Melodies." In keeping with the theme, booths were designed to represent popular holiday songs. Christmas trinkets and decorations, made by students and parents, were sold at the booths to raise money to benefit the school's library. Students posed are, left to right, Daniel Kelley, Jenny Lind Walker, Sue Marie Lynn and Barbara Huff. (TNT 11/29/1953, pg. D-4)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kelley, Daniel; Walker, Jenny Lind; Lynn, Sue Marie; Huff, Barbara;

Annie Wright Seminary. Students and teacher in chemistry lab. Upper level students prepare to cook up an experiment with the assistance of their teacher Miss McKay. Miss McKay was the Annie Wright instructor of science and mathematics. (The Shield, 1954 issue)

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

Annie Wright Seminary; classroom with teacher and girls in uniform. Miss Avalon, Annie Wright instructor of English and civilization, speaks to her upper level students. The girls sit at wooden desks and are dressed in blouses with Peter Pan collars, sweaters with the AWS emblem and saddle shoes. The classes are small, this one has only nine students.

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

Annie Wright Seminary, group photograph around school for annual. Members of T.A.S.C. (The Athletic Service Club) for the 1954 school yearbook. The girls are dressed in white blouses with a Peter Pan collar, dark shirts and sweaters with AWS emblem and saddle shoes. They also wear a beanie on their heads. (1954 yearbook "The Shield" - see yearbook for names.)

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

Annie Wright Seminary, Junior class play for the yearbook "The Shield." For their theatrical production, the AWS juniors presented Jean Cocteau's version of the Sophocles play "Antigone." "Antigone" is the story of a young girl who defies her uncle, the King, to bury the remains of her brother. The lead roles of Antigone and Ismene were played by Heather Spence and Dorthea Weiss. The play was produced on Saturday at 8:30p.m. in Keator Hall. The main characters can be seen standing in the center of what may be the curtain call, flanked by chorus members and sword carriers. (TNT 2/10/1954, pg. 3, 1954 AWS yearbook, The Shield)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Greece;

Annie Wright Seminary, Junior class play for the yearbook "The Shield." The Juniors presented French playwright Jean Cocteau's version of Sophocles play "Antigone." In the play, a headstrong and young Antigone defies her uncle, the King, to bury the remains of her brother. The lead roles were played by Heather Spence and Dorthea Weiss. (TNT 2/10/1954, pg. 3, 1954 AWS yearbook The Shield)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Greece;

Annie Wright students and a faculty member pose in what appears to be the Seminary's library. These girls are busy reading from books and are wearing the traditional sailor style uniforms of the lower classes. This picture was published in the 1955 "Shield," the yearbook for Annie Wright Academy. This are the 5th & 6th classes of the lower school posed around Miss Edgerly, the school librarian. See yearbook for the student names.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Children reading & writing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five Annie Wright teachers are feeding a guinea pig that is sitting on the table in what appears to be one of the lower school classrooms. The teachers are, left to right, Mrs. Hatcher, 5 year old kindergarten, Mrs. Harding, 4 year old kindergarten, Mrs. Headley, 5 year old kindergarten, Miss Anderson, assistant in the lower school and Mrs. Post, Charles Wright Academy. ("The Shield," 1955 edition)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pets;

Queen Anne Cameron presided over traditional May Day ceremonies at Annie Wright Seminary on May 14, 1955. She is seated in the queen's chair decorated with blossoms while holding a golden scepter, symbol of her reign. Miss Cameron is the daughter of Harold W. Cameron and Mrs. Elford Cameron of Seattle. The queen's mother is also an alumna of Annie Wright. (TNT 5-22-55, D-7)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Cameron, Anne; May Day; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A classroom of beaming young girls greet the photographer on December 8, 1955. This was one of the primary grades at Annie Wright Seminary. The little girls are all wearing uniforms with white collars. Sandra Cheney, daughter of Ben Cheney, is seated on the extreme right, last seat. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Cheney, Sandra;

Some of the hi-jinks of the annual Annie Wright Seminary's Dad's Day. Five upper class girls in matching dark blouses and white shorts and one brightly attired Dad perform a high kick routine to the delight of uniformed girls, their Dads and Headmistress Ruth Jenkins, at the bottom right of picture. Families were invited to the school for this special annual event and activities were planned for the students and their Dads.

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

1956 May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Flag bearer Sophomore Barbara Staples leads in a group of petite and very young students dressed in full skirted white dresses with matching white anklets and white shoes and carrying flowers. The May Day court appears lined up in the background, ready to enter. (1956 issue of The Shield, Annie Wright yearbook, TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1))

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Staples, Barbara; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1956 May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Front row attendants, left to right: Marcia Jensen, Wendy Peterson, Sandy Cites, Janet Junkley, Gretchen Anderson, Debbie Kass, Hurlaine Johnson. Flag Bearers: Julia Mackay and Barbara Staples. Sceptre Bearer: Peggy Guyles. Crown Bearer: Mary McGoldrick. Second row, left to right: Mardi Camerer, Twyla Martin, Jane Fairbourn, Didi Camerer. Third row: Philinda Parry, Carol Somers, Joanne Ginn, Judy Spencer. Fourth row: Sandra Hagedorn, Becky Broughton (May Queen), Louanne Gibson (Maid of Honor), Wanita Townsend. Fifth row: Sondra Schafer, Nancy Lampson, Janet Haley, Nancy Steen. Sixth row: Sharon Reid, Sue Marie Lynn, Katie Bernhard, Jessie Nelson. Last row: Bobbie Allen, Helen Tompkins, Ann Wohleben, Kay Richards, Margot Hoffmeister, Sharon Ryder. Queen Rebecca Broughton was from Dayton, Wa. She was the Vice President of the Athletic Association and the yearbook noted that she was always cheerful, even on Monday mornings. (1956 issue of The Shield, Annie Wright yearbook, TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. Younger girls dressed in white dresses with sashes at their waists and dark ballet shoes perform a traditional Maypole dance to the delight of May Queen Becky Broughton and her court. The dancing girls are members of the school's third class. The dancers will twist the pole's streamers in an attractive pattern by going over and under the others' streamers. This largely European holiday celebrates the coming of summer. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. One of the biggest social activities at Annie Wright was that annual rite of spring, May Day. A May Day queen would be crowned in the midst of performances and activities for parents and students. The queen was traditionally a senior and her maid of honor a junior. These girls appear to be middle school age students, dressed in matching polka dot skirts. They will possibly be performing for the festivities, using the umbrellas. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

May Day festivities, Annie Wright Seminary. The young girls in the front wear dark sweaters, white blouses and either dark skirts or pants. They appear to be dancing the hokey pokey or the bunny hop in front of the ivy covered walls. The piano accompanist can be seen behind the railing. The woman to the left leaning against the railing in the picture hat is possibly Headmistress Ruth Jenkins. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. D-1)

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

Two Annie Wright Seminary students stand at the net along with two men, perhaps their fathers, preparing to play tennis in May, 1957. Annie Wright traditionally had an annual Dads' Day when fathers spent the day with their children participating in various activities on school grounds. All four people pictured in this May 18, 1957, photograph are clutching wooden rackets; they are much smaller than the aluminum rackets used today. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

Students at Annie Wright Seminary gather outdoors on May 18, 1957, for the annual Dads Day festivities. These girls look like they are enjoying the activity before them. They may be cheering on their personal favorites. Most of the girls are wearing the traditional uniforms with a few dressed in more sporting gear. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

Dads visited their daughters' classrooms during Dads' Day at Annie Wright Seminary on May 18, 1957. They were able to observe their children at work and at play. These girls are possibly in the Lower School. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

It appears that this father, although swinging mightily, is going to avoid contact with the ball during the 1957 Dads' Day baseball game at Annie Wright Seminary. The catcher has his arms extended to catch the ball. Other fathers await their turn at bat. Annie Wright annually held a Dads' Day in the spring where fathers and daughters bonded in various campus activities. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

Each year Annie Wright Seminary held a Dads' Day to honor students' fathers. A variety of activities was planned which dads and their daughters could enjoy. A smiling father prepares to take on his daughter in a game of tennis on May 18, 1957. They are both clutching Wilson tennis rackets with wooden frames. The dad is dressed in shorts and rolled up shirt but his daughter still has on her school uniform. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Tennis players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tennis rackets;

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Fielding Bayne, Jr., gazes at a portrait of himself that is hung in the Great Hall of Annie Wright Seminary. The painting shows the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia with staff in hand. Bishop Bayne became the president of the Board of Trustees at Annie Wright in 1948. The painting was done by Jeanie M. Walkinshaw of Seattle; it was presented to the school by the 1957 graduating class. Bishop Bayne is wearing a purple cassock and pectoral cross. The pastoral staff he holds is a gift from Ruth Jenkins, headmistress of Annie Wright, in honor of the bishop's 10th anniversary as bishop of the diocese. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary. (TNT 6-16-57, D-14)

Bayne, Stephen Fielding; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

The timeless beauty of Tudor Gothic-style architecture is reflected in the ivy-covered columns of Annie Wright Seminary. The school was designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney & Dugan and built in 1924 by J.E. Bonnell, contractor. In 1957 Annie Wright grew to include the construction of new classrooms and a music room. It was primarily a girls' school and attracted students from as far away as Hawaii. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

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

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;