Grand Officers of the M. W. Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. (Free and Accepted Masons) of Washington in front of the Masonic Temple. Building by Ambrose J. Russell, Architect, 1925. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Free & Accepted Masons (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men photographed in June of 1932 wearing Masonic costumes on the steps of the Masonic Temple. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine. Group of men in Masonic costumes on steps of the Masonic Temple. This circa 1932 group photo has been superimposed against a background of Mount Rainier. The "Shriners" were founded in 1872 as a fun fraternal organization for men who had completed their requirements in the Scottish or Knights Templar (York rite) Masonic organizations.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Group of men in Afifi costumes inside the Masonic Temple; photograph taken in June of 1932. This is possibly the same group of men as images 1 & 1A. (filed with Argentum).

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

This is the Afifi Temple Arab Patrol, photographed within the Masonic Temple, 47 Saint Helens Ave., in June of 1932. It is the same photograph as 411, image 9 except that part of the background has been lightened.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Afifi Arab Patrol (Tacoma);

Afifi Mounted Divan. Thirteen men in Afifi capes and hats on horse back in front of Masonic Temple during a ceremonial and festival of music on July 23, 1932. Names printed by horses, left to right, Leverenz, Densmore, Hill, Allen, Carnahan, Colton, Sutter, Ford, Millard, Whitman, Callow, McKenzie and Middlesworth. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Horses;

Grand Officers of the Eastern Star on stage in June of 1942. Flags of several nations, including the United States, and silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington serve as decorations. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the organization's 59th annual meeting held at the Masonic Temple. Mayme Harmony was elected worthy grand matron and Irwin Jones, worthy grand patron. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)

Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Grand Chapter of the State of Washington, Order of the Eastern Star, opened their "Victory Session" at Fellowship Hall in the Masonic Temple on June 18, 1942. The Grand Officers posed for a group portrait for the 59th annual meeting. Hanging above them are flags from many nations. Since America was at war then the flags shown are from some of their allies, including Great Britain and the USSR. Silhouettes of Presidents Washington and Lincoln flank the officials on stage. 1500 Eastern Star members attended the meeting. Mayme Harmony of Seattle and Irwin Jones were selected as worthy grand matron and worthy grand patron, respectively. (T.Times 6-17-42, p. 8-article; T.Times 6-19-42, p. 9-article)

Order of the Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Flags; Silhouettes; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Scottish Rite. Scottish Rite degrees were conferred at the 78th annual spring reunion at Masonic Temple May 15, 1945, according to J. Earl Horton, Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection. (T.Times, 5/14/1945, p.9)

Group portraits--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Horton, J. Earl; Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4 was the local chapter of the Knights Templar of Washington. View of Ivanhoe club members gathered together for their April, 1946, meeting at the Masonic Temple. Man in front row, second from left is wearing the grand commander cloak, cap and sash.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar (Tacoma);

Forty Women at Masonic Temple, Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell. These women are wearing a variety of costumes. In the very front five women are dressed as belly dancers with sheer skirts, midriff exposed and egyptian head pieces. Women in the middle are wearing white cossack-style costumes with blouson pants, cumberbund and high-necked, long, full sleeved blouses. They also wear matching head pieces.The women around the edges and back row are wearing evening gowns.

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma);

Forty Women at Masonic Temple, Daughters of the Nile, Mrs. Shotwell. The Zora Temple No. 5, Daughters of the Nile, were honored by the official visit of the supreme queen, Mrs. Ray Hoble of Rockford, Illinois. The decorating committee chose an oriental theme. The program included an exhibition drill by the Egyptian patrol and the dancing girls presented an Egyptian number. These women are wearing a variety of costumes and stand on the stage at the Masonic Temple. The formation of the Daughters of the Nile originated in the home of Mrs. Mable R. Krows, Seattle, Washington. She and a number of other Shriners' wives on February 20, 1913, formed the Ladies of the Nile Club. The first local unit (temple) was named "Hatosu" in honor of an Egyptian queen. (TNT, 2/29/1948, p.B-5; Fraternal Organizations, Alvin J. Schmidt, 1980)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite reunion, Mr. Farnsworth. Scottish Rite bodies of Freemasonry in the Tacoma district held their 84th semi-annual reunion the week of May 16, 1948, and dedicated it to the memory of the late Felix Robinson, 33rd degree, in appreciation for his 27 years of activity in the Masonic order. Over 100 petitioners were expected to form the reunion class for the ritualistic induction. The Scottish Rite of the Freemasons appears to have been organized in the United States in 1801. It offers higher Degrees to a Master Mason (the third and highest of the traditional degrees, and as far as he can go in his Blue Lodge). The Scottish Rite is open to Jews and others. (T.Times, 5/14/1948, p.9 and International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

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);

Several groups at Masonic Temple, Ivanhoe Commandry, Lorenzo Mansfield. A group of 20 members of the Knights Templar are wearing their handsome uniforms and plumed hats. The Knight Templar is the 10th degree and the highest rank of the York Rite. The (Masons) Knights Templar was founded in 1816 as a fraternal service organization for Master Masons. The order flourishes in the Unites States, where there were 300,000 members in 1994. Lodges are called Commanderies; states with three or more lodges form Grand Commanderies. Since "none but Christians can be admitted, consequently it cannot be considered strictly as a Masonic body." (International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, 1997; Fraternal Organizations, by Alvin J. Schmide, 1980)

Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Bellingham American Legion Drum Corp at Elks Temple, Ed F. Herrman, Business Manager, Bellingham. The American Legion held their 30th annual convention in Tacoma August 25 - 28th, 1948. Approximately 5,000 members of the Legion, its auxilliary, the 40 et 8 and its auxiliary, the 8 et 40, were expected at the convention. The grand parade of the convention was held August 27th followed by the drum and bugle corps in the stadium. This view of the Bellingham drum and bugle corps including their drum majors is taken by the Masonic Temple. Farther in the background are Commencement Bay and the tideflats.

American Legion (Bellingham); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majors--Bellingham; Marching bands; Band uniforms--Bellingham; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter was having their annual installation of officers in the Gothic Room in Tacoma's Masonic Temple; an informal reception would be held in the roof garden with the Starlets serving as hostesses. View of members from the Vida Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, during the ceremony for the installation of new officers (T.N.T., 4/10/49, p. D-8).

Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Order of Eastern Star Vida Chapter No. 35 (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Sorority program at Masonic Temple. Roomful of mostly women watch intently the proceedings in front of them in this photograph from March of 1950. Two men and two women are on a small stage. The event occurred at the Masonic Temple, probably the one at 47 Saint Helens Ave. in Tacoma.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Group of approximately 50 people for Zora Temple #5, Daughters of the Nile. Queens and officers of neighboring temples attended a ceremonial on March 1, 1951 at which Mrs. Merle Heitzman, of Salt Lake City, Supreme Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, made an official visit to Zora Temple #5. At the Masonic Temple, amid a setting of oriental rugs and palms, Mrs. Heitzman regaled the group with her adventures visiting the 100 Nile temples in the U.S., Canada and Hawaii. Entertainment was provided: an exhibition drill by the Egyptian Patrols, special music by the Egyptian chorus and a performance by the temple dancers. (TNT 2/25/1951, pg. D-9)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The Amity chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star held its 26th annual installation of officers March 21, 1951 in the Gothic room of the Masonic Temple. The installation was followed by a reception in the roof garden. (for a list of new officers, see TNT 3/18/1951, pg D-11)

Order of Eastern Star Amity Chapter No. 219 (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Scottish Rite group in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple. A branch of the Freemasons, this group has its roots not in Scotland, but in France. Its title is in honor of Scottish Masons who fled to France after the Jacobite Rebellion failed in 1715. The group was organized in the U.S. in 1801 and membership is available to those obtaining the rank of Master Mason. The rite consists on 32 degrees plus an honorary 33rd degree & each degree costs about $150 (in 1978.) The Scottish Rite is one of the paths to becoming a Shriner. ("Fraternal Organizations" by Alvin J. Schmidt & "Handbook of Secret Organizations" by William J. Whalen)

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

Reunion class, Scottish Rite, at the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (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);

Reunion of Scottish Rite. The 91st reunion of the Scottish Rite concluded on November 24, 1951, with the exemplification of the 30th degree of Knight Kadosh. The Scottish Rite choir performed musical rituals for the degrees. View of members of the Scottish Rite; those seated have on Masonic regalia. (TNT 11-23-51, p. 13)

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

Retail Clerks Union 2nd Annual Christmas Party at Fellowship Hall. The large audience is seated facing the stage. Members of the union members' families have joined them for the December 15, 1951 festivities. (TNT 12-13-1951, C-11-article only)

Retail Clerks Union, Local 367 (Tacoma); Fellowship Hall (Tacoma); Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Christmas--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scottish Rite officers.

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

ca. 1952. Installation of officers, White Shrine of Jerusalem, for Mrs. A.B. Burnett. The White Shrine is a Christian auxiliary of the Freemasons. It is open to men who have achieved the rank of Master Mason and women related to Master Masons who profess "Belief in the defense of the Christian religion." It was organized in 1894 in Chicago by Charles Magee, a Freemason. Members must be adults, white and non-Jewish. Prior to 1953, members also had to belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.

White Shrine of Jerusalem (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Nineteen members of the Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 gathered at the Masonic Temple in December, 1952. They were there to honor Mrs. Thomas Luke of Portland, Supreme Queen of the Supreme Temple, who was visiting temples and Shriner hospitals across the nation. Mrs. Luke is believed to be the woman in the dark evening gown with corsage. The Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 are dressed in a variety of costumes ranging from Egyptian belly dancers to white "Russian" cossack-style outfits. (TNT 11-30-52, D-7)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic Temple (Tacoma); Costumes--Egyptian;

An installation ceremony was held at the Masonic Temple in late January, 1953, for the Tacoma Assembly, Social Order of Beauceant. The sixteen women shown here in this sepia photograph are dressed in ankle length white gowns with large sleeves. They are all wearing small gold crosses and have large tilted black crosses placed on their shoulders. The Social Order of Beauceant is composed of the wives and widows of Sir Knights, of Ivanhoe Commandery (Knights Templar). The national order was founded in 1890 with the purpose of aiding the Knights Templar. (Clipping file, NWR)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Masonic buildings--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma;

Twenty-one members of the Normanna Male Chorus, wearing the group's distinctive white pants, dark blazers and nautical hats, posed for a formal portrait on the steps of the Masonic Temple in 1938. The Chorus was to be very busy in September of 1938 as they were celebrating their Golden Jubilee. Norwegian singing societies from across the Northwest were coming to Tacoma to help the group celebrate their 50th anniversary at Normanna Hall, 47 Saint Helens Avenue, on September 10-11th. The singing society had organized in 1888 with John Soquest as the director. They originally met in the old school house between I and J streets; their publicity was handled by the publishers of the Norwegian newspaper "Tacoma Tidende." The group reorganized in 1895 and has been active since that date. The singers were led by Carlo A. Sperati, churchman and musician, until 1904; he was succeeded by George Johnson, still the director in 1938. (T. Times 9/9/1938, pg. 3) TPL-9519

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Sons of Norway (Tacoma); Music ensembles--Tacoma; Singers;