Northwest Florists were celebrating their 25th anniversary this year at their annual convention, which was being held at the Winthrop Hotel. The Winthrop Hotel's lobby has been converted into a flower wonderland, which is open to the public. View of an unidentified man looking at a display commemorating Northwest Florists' silver anniversary (T.N.T., 9/4/49, p. 1 & 5).

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Florists--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Northwest Florists (Tacoma);

The 25th annual convention for the Northwest Florists would include: meetings, workshops, trade fair, round table gatherings, a tour of a greenhouse at Vashon Island, and everyone was invited to attend the weekend salmon derby. View of members of the Northwest Florists' association, at a banquet being held in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/4/49, p. 1 & 5).

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Florists--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Northwest Florists (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;

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

Mayor's reception at Hotel Winthrop for "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere on October 18, 1940. Marjorie and Harry P. Cain seated below Life Ring, center. Henry and Wedell Foss flank the glass case holding tugboat model to the right of the Cains. Five hundred local residents capped off an exciting day of Hollywood stars, promotional events, and the premiere of "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" with a celebratory dinner held at the Winthrop. Bagpipes, singing, and reminiscences by Cpt. Oscar V. Brown, former lighthouse keeper at Browns Point were among the evening's highlights. ALBUM 6. (TNT 10-19-40, p. 1)

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Wedell; Model ships; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor's reception for "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere held at Hotel Winthrop on October 18, 1940. Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Sr., Marjorie Rambeau, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Marjorie Rambeau and Hedda Hopper pose at center in front of glass encased model ship. Mayor's wife, Marjorie Cain to the left, by flag; Ronald Reagan in shadows, right. The banquet was open to the general public and approximately 500 involved in the fishing and tugboat industry attended. ALBUM 6.

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor's reception for "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere on October 18, 1940, at the Winthrop. Hollywood stars Alan Hale, Sr., Marjorie Rambeau, Ronald Reagan, Mayor Harry P. Cain and columnist Hedda Hopper beam for the camera; Donald Crisp glances downward instead. The film premiered simultaneously at three Tacoma theaters that evening. ALBUM 6.

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Presentation of ship models by N.C. Garrison at Mayor's reception for "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere on October 18, 1940, at the Winthrop. Left to right: Mayor Harry P. Cain, Donald Crisp, N.C. Garrison, unidentified woman, Hedda Hopper, and Marjorie Rambeau. Mr. Garrison, a well-known model shipbuilder, is holding one of his creations, a square rigger, which he would eventually present to Hedda Hopper. He had earlier presented a model of the "Narcissis" tugboat to Miss Rambeau. ALBUM 6. (T.Times, 10-21-40, p. 6)

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Garrison, N.C.; Model ships;

Ship modeler N.C. Garrison presents his model of tug "Narcissus" to Marjorie Rambeau at Mayor Cain's reception at the Hotel Winthrop for the "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere on October 18, 1940. Henry Foss is at far left, brother Wedell Foss at far right. Mr. Garrison, 6414 Pacific Avenue, had 28 of his models on display throughout the city during the week. "Narcissus" was the screen name chosen for the Foss tugboat (later called the "Arthur Foss") used for the first "Tugboat Annie" film in 1933. ALBUM 6. (T.Times, 10-21-40, p. 6)

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rambeau, Marjorie; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Garrison, N.C.; Model ships; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Wedell; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ship modeler N.C. Garrison presents model of the tug "Narcissus" to actress Marjorie Rambeau at the "Tugboat Annie" dinner held at the Winthrop Hotel on October 18, 1940. Miss Rambeau played the title character in the sequel to the 1933 box-office success. Mr. Garrison also presented an intricate model of a square-rigger to actress-writer Hedda Hopper who attended the event. Seated at the speakers' table on the right, behind a glass-encased model of a typical ocean-going tugboat, are two real-life tugboat captains, Anna Grimison and Dolly Lewis. Among those standing in the background are Mayor Harry P. Cain (partially hidden) and Wedel Foss. Four hundred and fifty people attended the dinner which was part of the activities scheduled during the "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere held in Tacoma. (T. Times, 10-21-40, p. 6) ALBUM 6. TPL-8712

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rambeau, Marjorie; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Garrison, N.C.; Model ships; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Wedell; Grimison, Anna; Lewis, Dolly;

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);

It's "thumbs up" at the Canadian Legion Reunion Banquet at the Hotel Winthrop. Canadian and British aviators were the honored guests. Canada entered the war against German in 1939, only a few days after England. The "thumbs up" showed support of the war effort. The Royal Canadian Legion is the largest veterans organization in Canada and maintains branches in the U.S. and Germany. The man in the center of the rear row is reported to be C.A. (Pat) Erskine, Irishman.

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Canadian Legion (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (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.;

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);

Metal Trades Convention for the Labor Advocate. On March 2, 1943, four unidentified men who were convention delegates stood behind a table with a blackboard behind them showing tally of votes for president of the Pacific Coast District Metal Trades Council. Incumbent Anthony Ballerini was defeated in a re-election bid by Ed Weston of Seattle. A banner states: "Affiliated with the A.F. of L." Held at the Hotel Winthrop in early March of 1943, the wartime convention was concerned with the metal trade councils' responsibility to deliver vital goods essential to allied victory. Delegates took an aggressive stand against the NLRB-CIO's disruption in the shipbuilding industry. Keynote speaker was John P. Frey, president of the A.F. of L. Metal Trades Department, Washington D.C. (Tacoma Labor Advocate, 3-5-43, p. 1+ -article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Metal Trades Council (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950;

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;

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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

Morris Jaffe-Edith Brodsky held their wedding and wedding reception at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop on November 3, 1946. Eleven waitresses, a chef and kitchen manager stand behind the heavily laden banquet serving table. The bride was the daughter of Phillip and Anne Brodsky. The groom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jaffe of Seattle. The bride's cake, not shown, was surrounded by 100 gardenias and a sprinkling of silver sequins. (T.Times, 11/6/1946, p.8)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950;