Ruth DuCharme and Orville Fuller posed in January of 1926 surrounded by Bill Winder (extreme left) and his Hotel Winthrop Orchestra. The pair was taking part in the Southwest Washington Championship Ho-down Ballroom Charleston competition which kicked off on January 23, 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Rialto Theater and the Hotel Winthrop and took place over 4 weeks. It featured dancers from Tacoma, Aberdeen, Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia. Winners were decided by popular applause. When all the shouting was over, Mrs. DuCharme and Mr. Fuller were the Tacoma champions. This was the first big ballroom Charleston contest to be held locally. (TNT 1/22/1926, pg. 8) TPL-466

Thirty young Tacoma/Pierce County college-age debutantes were introduced to society at the third annual Red Rose Cotillion in December of 1968. The formal ball was held at the Winthrop Hotel under the auspices of the Unique Social & Community Club. Dressed in white evening gowns and holding bouquets of American Beauty red roses, they smiled before the large gathering of proud family and friends. Names of the 30 young collegians were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Betty Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Brown, was chosen queen of the ball. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Roses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Red Rose Cotillion. 30 young debutantes pose under the elaborate chandelier in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on December 20, 1968. They were being introduced to society under the auspices of the Unique Social & Community Club. Dressed in white evening gowns and holding bouquets of American Beauty red roses, they smile before the large gathering of proud family and friends. Names of the 30 young collegians were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Betty Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Brown, was chosen queen of the ball. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Roses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

These elegantly dressed young men with their spotless white gloves were escorts for the 30 women making their debut into society at the Red Rose Cotillion on December 20, 1968. The beautifully decorated room was the Crystal Ballroom in the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, scene of many formal balls and events. The Unique Social & Community Club held this Christmas-time cotillion, dubbed the "Red Rose" since the debutantes all carried bouquets of long stem American Beauty red roses, to formally introduce the young women to society. Names of the escorts were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Color photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

These ladies are members of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club who were attending the 20th annual West Coast conference held at the Winthrop Hotel, February 23-25, 1968. The Tacoma chapter was hosting the three-day convention. The function of the club is to study and discuss traffic and transport matters. The Hooper Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1959 to further the education of women in the field of traffic and transportation; the 1966-67 scholarship winner would be presented at the conference. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women's Traffic & Transportation Club;

Entertainment at the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club convention. These dancers show off the latest dance steps at the 20th annual West Coast convention of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club held at the Winthrop Hotel February 23-25, 1968. 130 delegates from 13 clubs were expected to be in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

What's a convention without some skits? These intrepid women participated in a costumed skit during the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club's 20th annual West Coast convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in late February, 1968. The Tacoma branch of the national club served as hosts for the convention. Mrs. Terrance Lazzari was general chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

These participants at the 20th annual West Coast conference of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club appear to be having fun during their three-day February convention at the Winthrop Hotel. All attention seems to be focused on the beribboned walking box with "antennae" and shimmering legs. Tacoma Mayor A.L. Rasmussen welcomed conferees to the evening's banquet. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

The Winthrop Hotel was the site of the October, 1969, state lodge and temple convention of the Knights of Pythias. Members of the Washington Temple and Tacoma Temple, Pythian Sisters also attended. Eleven Pythian Sisters are pictured above on October 6, 1969, in the hotel's Bayview Room. State Chief Goldie A. Boldman would preside over business sessions in the hotel. A reception honoring the incoming State Chief Mrs. Sarah Baxter would be held on Tuesday, October 7th. Photograph ordered by the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. (TNT 10-3-69, A-14 - article on convention)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Knights of Pythias; Pythian Sisters;

The second annual Red Rose Cotillion, sponsored by the Unique Social & Community Club, was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on December 22, 1967. The debutantes being introduced to society were all graduates of Stadium High School and all were attending college. In attendance were : (standing at top, left to right) Brenda Jackson, Gloria Austin; (standing on floor left to right) Donna Dorsey, Rose Underwood; (seated left to right) Roberta Morris, Audrey Capers; (standing on floor at right) Gwendolyn Lang, Marcia McDaniel. Following the girls' promenade and first waltz with their fathers, a stately minuet was performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Their fathers presented them with red rose bouquets and a champagne toast was offered by their mothers. (TNT 9-17-67, D-6, TNT 12-27-67, A-6) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970;

Famed commercial photographer Victor Keppler posed with Miss Tacoma at the Professional Photographers of Washington convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in early July of 1962. The duo are being photographed by a pair of girls in Scotch plaid who worked for Morley Studios in Tacoma. Mr. Keppler of New York had been invited to speak and demonstrate his photographic and lighting techniques at the convention along with famous glamour photographer Peter Gowland of California. (TNT 7-2-62, p. 11-article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Keppler, Victor; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cameras;

Photographers gathered in July of 1962 at the Winthrop Hotel for the Professional Photographers of Washington convention in order to exchange tips of the trade and listen to experts in the field. Guest lecturer Victor Keppler (second from left) is shown working with unidentified photographers in demonstrating how to light clear glass goblets on a glass table. Mr. Keppler was a famous commercial photographer from the East Coast. (TNT 7-2-62, p. 11-article on convention)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Keppler, Victor; Cameras;

Victor Keppler, well-known national commercial photographer, was a special guest at the Professional Photographers of Washington convention here in Tacoma in July of 1962. He is shown working with a young woman dressed in plaid, believed to be Lynda Pederson of Tacoma who was employed by Morley Studios, 720 Pacific Avenue, at the Seattle's World Fair. In his addresses to convention attendees, he advised his fellow photographers to continually experiment in order to keep ideas flowing and not stagnant. A photographer since the 1920s, Mr. Keppler worked with the nation's largest advertising agencies as well as cover photos for the Saturday Evening Post. He founded the Famous Photographers School in Westport, Conn., in 1961 which attracted such famed photographers as Richard Avedon, Alfred Eisenstardt, and Richard Beattie as guiding faculty. (www.luminous-lint.com/app/photographer/Victor_Keppler/A/)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Keppler, Victor; Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A large group of well-dressed women gathered on March 24, 1963, for the charter installation of the second Tacoma chapter of the American Business Women's Association at the Winthrop Hotel. Vice-president Mrs. Theodore Kagarice and president Mrs. H.W. Akam display the ABWA banner. The ABWA was formed nationally in 1949 with the aim of bringing together businesswomen of diverse occupations and offering support in professional development and career advancement. (TNT 3-26-63, p. 12)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; American Business Women's Association (Tacoma);

Glen Fansler of Spokane shows a pamphlet to fellow Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association member R.J. Munzer of Long Beach as the gas executives register for a conference on March 28, 1958, at the Winthrop Hotel. Delegates from Sacramento and North Bend look on with amusement. 250 members of the bottled gas industry opened the first Northwest district convention held in Tacoma. This was the 11th annual gathering of the Liquified Petroleum Gas Association. Delegates attended from six Western states and British Columbia. Photograph ordered by the Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association, Chicago. (TNT 3-28-58, C-12)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Association (Chicago, IL); Fansler, Glen; Munzer, R.J.;

Convivial Shriners enjoy themselves at the "Jesters" banquet in early June, 1957. Tam-o'-shanters seem to be the fashion of the evening. A seated guest extends his hand toward the head table; he appears to be speaking directly into a microphone. Their "Book of the Play" had been held earlier. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Shrine Association. (TNT 6-6-57, A-1)

Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats; Pacific Northwest Shrine Association (Tacoma);

A large luncheon for the Shell Oil Company. Most of the women wear nametags, corsages and hats. They are seated at circular tables, with the speakers' long table at the end of the room. The luncheon was held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel and was attended by 185 wives of Shell Oil employees from the Tacoma district. The guest speaker was travel expert Carol Lane. She offered the women helpful hints for summer travel including how to pack a suitcase and how to care for children on a trip. (TNT 5/20/1956, pg. A-18)

Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers;

Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the College of Puget Sound, was the featured speaker at the annual banquet of the Pacific Northwest Conference Savings & Loan Associations on May 24, 1954. His speech was entitled "Prelude to a New Age." At the head table in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom with Dr. Thompson were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Perham, Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit VanderEnde, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Alston Adams. More than 150 delegates and wives attended the two day savings & loan conference. (TNT 5-23-54, C-16, TNT 5-25-54, p. 11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Perham, Ben; VanderEnde, Gerrit; Adams, J. Alston;

Carstens Packing Company was hosting a meeting for meat cutters at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. View of unidentified business men and meat cutters standing behind the demonstration table, a Toledo scale, meat, Carstens advertising posters, knives, and other meat cutting tools are displayed on the table.

Meetings--Tacoma; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meat industry--Tacoma; Meat; Meat cutting--Tacoma; Scales; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Advertisements--Tacoma; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma);

The Club of Hearts held their 16th annual Christmas dance in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, in December of 1948. Four of the "Tacoma Belles" who attended the holiday ball were: (l to r) Shirley Larson, Patricia Perella, Marjie Joy Miller and Rosemary Tollefson. Miss Tollefson and Miss Miller were home from Stephens College for winter break. Marjie Joy Miller embarked in the 1950's on a film and stage career as Marjie Millar. (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 13).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Club of Hearts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Miller, Marjie Joy; Millar, Marjie; Tollefson, Rosemary; Larson, Shirley; Perella, Patricia;

The Club of Heart's officers would be greeting guests at their 16th annual Christmas dance; dancing would be from 9:00 P.M. until 1:00 A.M. in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. View of two unidentified couples and a Club of Hearts member at the annual Christmas dance at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom (T.N.T., 12/19/48, p. D-5).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Couples--Tacoma; Club of Hearts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Club of Hearts officers were: Lorraine Bottiger, President, W. B. Wingard, Adviser, Sally Waller, Vice-President, Margaret Mathew, Recording Secretary, Patricia Black, Corresponding Secretary, and Joanne Goodrick, Treasurer. View of two unidentified couples standing in the Winthrop Hotel's lobby, telephone booth and Hotel porter station in background (T.N.T., 12/19/48, p. D-5).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Telephone booths--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Christmas--Tacoma; Couples--Tacoma; Club of Hearts (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Charter No. 10 of the Hotel Greeters and auxiliary and guests enjoyed a banquet at the Winthrop Hotel on October 28, 1936. Well-known hotel managers A.C.C. Gamer, L.L. Benbow, and George Calvert were spotted in conversation during the event. Mr. Gamer was president of the organization. (T. Times 10-29-36, p. 7).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gamer, Albert C.C.; Calvert, George; Benbow, L.L.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

An Eastern Star banquet was held at the Winthrop Hotel in July of 1937 for Presiding and Past Matrons and Patrons. Members of the registration committee are seated at a table in front of an elaborate grandfather-style clock. One man stands behind the women. (T. Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Longcase clocks;

Kenworthy banquet for employees. Thomas W. Neilson, 35-year employee of Kenworthy Grain & Milling Co., was the honored guest at an informal banquet for company employees held in the Army-Navy Room of the Winthrop Hotel on May 23, 1936. Mr. Neilson, warehouse foreman, had plans to retire. Others in attendance included the branch managers throughout the state that represented the 43-year-old Tacoma business. (Tacoma Daily Ledger, 5-24-36, 16A-article)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kenworthy Grain & Milling Co.--Employees;

On June 5, 1937, over 1,000 Shriners descended on Tacoma for a spring reunion hosted by Tacoma's Afifi Temple. One of the first things that they did was organize a parade. Seven Shriners, including four flag bearers, gather in front of the Winthrop Hotel to wait for the parade to begin. A Shriners marching band is behind them.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Flags; Standards (Identifying artifacts); Flag bearers;

International flavor Military Reserve Officers Ball, sponsored by the Tacoma chapter of the Reserve Officers Association February 18, 1939 at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Army, Navy and Marine officers from Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and nearby cities, as well as officers of the famed Seaforth Highlanders of British Columbia, dance with their partners under row of flags representing the two countries and their various regiments. Over 500 persons were expected to attend the dance. Canada was represented by officers of the Irish Fusiliers and British Columbia Hussars, as well as the Highlanders in their bright plaids. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1930-1940;

International-style Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Sue Devlin, of Tacoma, and Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, entertain surrounding officers from their perches on chairs. Admirers, left to right, are Robert Sconce of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A.W. McMorris of Tacoma and Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer for the 248th Coast Artillery. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

International-style Reserves Officers Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. Miss Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, holds court from atop a chair, teasing the officers surrounding her. Enjoying her witty repartee are, left to right, Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer of the 248th Coast Artillery, Miss Sue Devlin of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson (dressed in MacKenzie tartan kilts) of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A. W. McMorris of Tacoma, and Robert Sconce. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

Reserve Officers International Military Ball held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Major Harold E. Snider, of Vancouver, B.C., dressed in kilts, and wife as well as Mrs. Nelson Lynde and Colonel A. W. Melchoir, of the Tacoma Reserve Officers group, are shown arriving at Winthrop Hotel for the dance. The ball was to be attended by regular and reserve officers of all military branches in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia and surrounding cities, as well as select Canadian regiments. Canada was sending officer representatives of the Seaforth Highlanders, British Columbia Hussars and Irish Fusiliers. All of the officers were resplendent in their elaborate dress uniforms. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Snider, Harold--Family; Melchoir, A.W.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);