In August of 1935, General James M. Ashton posed at the Ferry Museum, 315 North Stadium Way, with an old cavalry guidon with stars in a circle pattern. The flag was the one presented to Troop "B" by Clinton P. Ferry when the troop served as the guard of honor at the 1889 inaugural ceremonies of Elisha P. Ferry as the first Governor of Washington State. Elisha P. Ferry was Clinton P. Ferry's uncle. General Ashton had served as captain in Troop B nearly 50 years ago. Troop B is actually designated as the Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard and it is the oldest military group in the state. Clinton Ferry's large personal collection of antiques and historic artifacts was housed in the Ferry Museum until the whole collection was donated to the Washington State Historical Society in 1930. (T. Times 9-11-1935, pg. 3)

Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Flags; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma); Ashton, James M.;

ca. 1937. General view of the Stadium Bowl (Frederick Heath, Architect) and the Ferry Museum at 315 No. Stadium Way, operated by the Washington State Historical Society (George W. Bullard, Architect.) Photograph taken after the addition of a third floor to the museum. One section of masonry railing has been added on the roof. The Puget Sound can be seen in the background of the photograph. TPL-2515

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Stadiums--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound (Wash.); Ferry Museum (Tacoma);

View of Mrs. Clarence Utterback (left) standing by her beautiful carved hope chests and Thelma T. Hill, holding a permastone low relief portrait of her daughter, Nancy in May of 1949. Thelma Hill also carved the chairside table and the etching (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Wood carvings; Art; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Utterback, Clarence--Family; Hill, Thelma T.;

Tacoma Sculpturing Club would be exhibiting their work at the Washington State Historical Society museum in May of 1949. The club was celebrating ten years of wood carving sculpture. View of Walter A. and Grace L. Heath; Grace carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;

The Tacoma Sculpturing Club celebrated their tenth anniversary in May 1949. A celebration exhibit at the Washington State Historical Society museum displayed members' works. Grace L. Heath carved a life-size wood bust of her husband, Walter A. Heath. Grace compares her work with its real life model, husband Walter. (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma; Wood carving--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Heath, Walter A.--Family;

View of members of Tacoma Sculpturing Club standing behind refreshments table on May 1, 1949. The club was having a reception in honor of their tenth anniversary and the opening of their wood carvings exhibition at the Washington State Historical Society museum, formerly known as the Ferry Museum. At far left are members Mrs. Roland Hill and Mrs. Clarence Utterback. Mrs. Walter Heath is believed to be standing sixth from left, flanked by Mrs. Pearl Lees and Mrs. Frank Naccarato, president of the club. R.E. Hager is the sole gentleman in the group. (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13)

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wood carving--Tacoma; Sculptors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Charlotte Naccarato was the first Tacoma Sculpturing Club president and was also chairman of the exhibition at the Ferry Museum. Some of the club members and artists include: Mae Click, Thelma Hill, Etta J. Leedy, Mary Bartinette, Pearl Lees, Rose Defazio, Inez E. Threlkeld, Lillian F. Lovett, Mrs. Clarence Utterback and many others (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Wood carvings; Antiques--Tacoma; Art; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Naccarato, Charlotte; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays;

Tacoma Sculpturing Club has helped many homemakers become interested in wood carving as a hobby. The club meets regularly in the Bryant Creative Art Center at Bryant School. During World War II the club members volunteered with the Red Cross arts and crafts unit. The club is showing their work at the Washington State Historical Society museum, formerly known as the Ferry Museum (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-5 & 5/8/49, p. A-13).

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Wood carvings; Art; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays;

School children from Buckley and Elk Plain visited the Washington State Historical Society museum; they were guided through an imaginary trip across the plains during the time of the late Ezra Meeker. View of Chapin D. Foster (foreground, facing the children), Secretary and Director of the Washington State Historical Society museum, also known as the Ferry Museum, speaking to the visiting students (T.N.T., 4/6/49, p. 9).

School children--Tacoma; School field trips--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Washington State Historical Society will display a few of the items from the Washington car of the French Merci Train. The contents of the Washington car are being shown in Tacoma and Seattle, the items will be displayed for one week. Left to right: Chapin D. Foster, Washington State Historical Society Director, Mayor C. Val Fawcett, L. S. Schmidt, member of the State Committee in charge of the Washington car. The men are admiring the dolls in provincial costumes; french poster in background (T. Times, 3/11/49, p. 1).

Exhibitions--Tacoma; Dolls; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Washington State Historical Society is currently displaying an exhibit featuring fourteen dolls made by Ada Bridgman Odenrider. The dolls show a century of fashions, between the period of 1800 and 1900. The dolls are getting ready to go to Santa Ana, California, they have been invited to the Charles W. Bowers Memorial Museum; where only the rarest and most beautiful dolls are invited to participate (T. Times, 3/6/49, p. 24).

Dolls; Collectors--Tacoma; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Exhibitions--Tacoma; Odenrider, Ada Bridgman--Associated objects; Fashion shows--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Two alcoves at Historical Building, McCormick Room, State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. A display of artifacts honored the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick. Mr. McCormick was president of the Washington State Historical Society for a number of years and he and his wife were donors of the hall where this display was on exhibit. This alcove was a gift of the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick, William L. McCormick, and his wife, Jessie M. McCormick. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-3)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; McCormick, Robert Laird--Family;

Two alcoves at Historical Building, McCormick Room, State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. Mr. and Mrs. William L. McCormick gave this alcove display that honors Isaac I. Stevens, the Washington Territory's first governor, and another alcove, honoring Mr. McCormick's father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Laird McCormick, to the State Historical Society. In the center is the desk Isaac I. Stevens used in his office in Olympia made of black walnut. Cases on either side house Stevens' flags, one of which Stevens carried while a general in the northern army in 1865 at the Battle of Chantilly when he lost his life. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-3)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; McCormick, William L.; Gifts;

Posed with an elegent walking stick umbrella, Mrs. Valen Honeywell is wearing a new fall suit provided by Lou Johnson, Inc. Her suit has a definite nipped-in waistline and very slim skirt. Suede pumps and a small velvet hat with veil complete her ensemble. Mrs. Honeywell is the wife of the deputy county prosecuting attorney. Washington State Historical Society Museum is in the background. TNT 9-12-50, p. C-5) TPL-9336

Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honeywell, Valen--Family;

Dedication of the Liberty Bell replica at the Washington State Historical Society. Governor Arthur B. Langlie, left in photo, with Society Director Chapin Foster on the museum steps. The dedication ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon, July 9, 1950, before a capacity crowd. Governor Langlie accepted the bell from Reno Odlin, who represented the Treasury department. The replica bell had been touring the state for six weeks during the Independence Savings Bond drive before being placed for permanent display at the Washington State Historical Society Museum.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells; Foster, Chapin D.;

Gov. Arthur B. Langlie speaking at dedication of Liberty Bell replica at Washington State Historical Society in front of a capacity crowd. Sociey Pres.S A. Perkins sits to the governor's left; woman in large hat is Margaret Marshall, descendant of Chief Justice John Marshall. It was at the funeral procession of John Marshall in 1835 that the original Liberty Bell cracked. Identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original bell, the replica weighs over a ton and stands six feet in height, measuring twelve feet in circumference at the lip and four feet at the crown. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

On July 9, 1950 Governor Arthur B Langlie accepted an exact replica of the Liberty Bell in the name of the residents of Washington state. The replica was one of 53 donated by the Copper Industry of America to each state, territory, and the District of Columbia . The bells were made in Annecy, France, and are identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original Liberty Bell. Left to right: Governor Arthur B. Langlie, Washington State Historical Society President S.A. "Sam" Perkins, Society Director Chapin Foster. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

A group of 260 school children from the Silverdale School in Kitsap County and Bainbridge Island School visited the Washington State Historical Society in June 1950. Chapin D. Foster (right foreground), Secretary and Director of the Washington State Historical Society museum, was giving a talk on Washington history prior to conducting them through the building. This was the largest school group in the building at one time in 1950. During the school year more than 200 bus loads of pupils totaling more than 6,000 students visited the Historical Society building as part of their study of Washington history. (TNT, 6/4/1950, p.A-4)

School children--Tacoma; School field trips--Tacoma; Art exhibitions--Tacoma; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Foster, Chapin D.;

Interior exposure of the Washington Hall in the Washington State Historical Building featuring the newest additions- a handsome floor covering, octagonal benches built around the pillars and the transparency of Mount Baker surrounding the view window. The unique display was the project of S.A. Perkins and portrayed the development of the Northwest. The first unit to be completed was the top 150 photographs of Washington, colored in oil, and varying in size up to 7 feet high, and 3-15 feet wide. The second unit completed was the 100 photographs of Washington views prior to 1889 below, enlarged and colored for transparencies and displayed in illuminated light boxes. An open house celebrated the completion of the third unit. (TNT 3/31/1950, pg. 1)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Paintings; Transparencies;

The Washington State Historical Building, originally the Ferry Museum after its founder, Col. Clinton Peyre Ferry, was part of the "Kla-How-Ya" trail dedicated in the spring of 1950. The Trail was a 26 mile sightseeing tour around the Tacoma area, marked by green salmon direction signs. The trail was designed to bring the tourist dollar to Tacoma. The State Historical Museum was the largest in the Northwest and noted for its illuminated photo murals and its northwest pioneer, Indian and Alaskan exhibits, as well as its curios from around the world. The four story building also contained a reference library and art gallery, and had breathtaking views of the Stadium Bowl and the Puget Sound. (TNT 7/16/1950)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Publicity photo of window transparencies in the Washington Hall of the Washington State Historical Building celebrating the completion of another unit in the ongoing S.A. Perkins historical photographic mural project. Mr. Perkins, President of the Historical Society, and Chapin Foster, Society Director, pose in front of the large view window overlooking the stadium bowl and the sound. The view is surrounded by a transparency of Mount Baker. Also new to the project were two murals flanking the doorway commemorating transportation in the Northwest, the coming of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the inauguration of air service. (TNT 3/31/1950, pg. 1)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Paintings; Transparencies; Perkins, S.A.; Foster, Chapin D.;

A group from Highline School is visiting the Ferry Museum. Hundreds of students visited the museum on school field trips each year to learn about the history of Washington Territory and State. Ordered by the Washington State Historical Society, Mr. Foster.

Students--Tacoma; School field trips--Tacoma; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

Museum artist J.H. Gipple builds a life like tree for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The purpose of the dioramas is to show the preserved wildlife in its natural habitat. The museum artist not only has to build the animals and cover them with the tanned skin, but also recreate all the natural elements such as rocks and vegetation from materials that will last. The limb of the tree was from where the cougar leapt from to attack a deer. The setting is a reproduction of the Nile Creek vicinity in the Yakima area. The branches and vegetation on the tree were brought from that area and chemically treated to retain their color indefinitely. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg. A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

A young woman poses in the almost completed diorama of an attacking cougar for the Washington State Historical Museum. The cougar's tanned skin covers the body frame of wood, bone and straw. The body is completed with the cougar's actual claws and glass eyes. The body is suspended from the ceiling with wires to hold it in an attacking position. The rocks and bushes complete the natural setting. The young woman poses in place of the cougar's usual prey, the deer.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Museum artist J.H. Gipple creates a rock for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The rocks are created from papier-mache; paper pulped with glue and formed around a wooden form to simulate a rock. The diorama will show the woodland area that is the cougar's home in the wild. The complex display showing the life or death struggle between a cougar and a white tailed deer took four months to complete.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

In December of 1950, taxidermist J.H. Gipple was busy working on a deer form for a diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The deer's torso has been created from lightweight wood with the real skull attached to a long metal rod "neck". The deer's real leg bones are attached to the torso with metal attachments. The museum artist is using straw to fill out the body in preparation for covering with the tanned skin. The skin has been treated with chemical preservatives to keep the skin soft and make it last. The deer shown is a three or four year old white tail, with antlers in the "velvet" stage of growth. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.; Deer--Tacoma--1950-1960;

J.H. Gipple, taxidermist, at work on the background scenery for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. A diorama is an exhibit recreating the preserved wildlife in its natural habitat including rocks, plants and other natural scenery. The museum goer can then see how the wild animals lived in nature. The museum artist is recreating boulders with a wood frame covered by papier-mache and then painted to appear real. Smaller boulders may be carved from foam.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

J.H. Gipple, taxidermist, creates the artificial bodies of a cougar attacking a deer for the Washington State Historical Society's diorama. Taxidermy is the art of putting a real animal skin on an artificial body. First, every part of the animal is measured so that the artificial body will fit inside the skin. The skin is removed from the body and tanned and the skeleton is saved. A body frame is created, either from wood or actual bones, and then covered with wire mesh and straw. In this picture, the frame is coated with a material in preparation for the addition of the skin. The cougar is suspended from wires in the ceiling to approximate an pouncing position. The cougar was killed near Eatonville by Robert E. Albaugh of Tacoma. The animal measured almost eight feet in length. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg. A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.; Pumas--Tacoma--1950-1960;