On stage in the Jason Lee Auditorium on November 9, 1973, was the large choir composed of "Sweet Adelines," the women's barbershop-style musical organization. They were participating in the group's annual musical show, this year called "Puttin' on the Style, " a look back at the great musical eras of the 1800's. Also performing that evening were the award-winning "Most Happy Fellows" male barbershop quartet, Commencement Bay Flounders & Seafood Conspiracy, Capital Chords and the Escapades. The fifth annual show ran for two nights, November 9th & 10th, 1973. Photograph ordered by the Greater Tacoma Chapter of Sweet Adelines, Inc.(TNT 11-7-73, A-10 article)

Choirs (Music); Singers; Musical ensembles--Tacoma;

Jason Lee Junior High School 9A class in June of 1932. Group of students with sports equipment. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma)--Group portraits--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jason Lee School 9A class. The ninth grade class poses in the school gymnasium under a basketball hoop with a torn net. Jason Lee opened in 1924, the first and biggest of the six intermediate schools built with proceeds from a $2.4 million bond issue passed in 1923. By the end of its first year, the school was already overcrowded with 1600 students in a school built to accomodate 1200. It was added on to in 1968 and remodeled in 1966 and 1972. The school reopened in 2002 after extensive remodeling.

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1934. Jason Lee School wrestling team, circa 1934. (WSHS)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Wrestlers;

ca. 1935. Jason Lee Band. Students with instruments and conductor in front of school building. (T. Times 11/7/1935, pg. 14- see newspaper caption for names)

Bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Youth bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Brass instruments; Wind instruments; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jason Lee Intermediate School Girls Glee Club photographed on December 18, 1936, in front of school. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music education--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Jason Lee Boys Glee Club and adviser. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Public schools--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music education--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Jason Lee string orchestra with instruments in front of school. The orchestra, according to the Tacoma Times, was rated one of the best in its class. (T. Times 1/1/1937, pg. 3) (filed with Argentum)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Stringed instruments; Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Violoncellos;

This photograph of the Jason Lee Intermediate School (Middle School) at 602 North Sprague was taken several months after the school was officially dedicated. Designed by Roland E. Borhek, the gothic revival style school opened for classes in September of 1924. Originally named West Intermediate school, the name was soon changed to Jason Lee to honor an early Northwest missionary and pioneer of that name. The school, which recently underwent a $27 million restoration, is built on the site of the old College of Puget Sound campus at Sixth and No. Sprague. ("For the record" by Winnifred L. Olsen)

Public Schools--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. General view of Jason Lee Intermediate School, circa 1926. Jason Lee was built in 1924 from a design by architect Roland Borhek. The school was the first and largest of six new "intermediate" schools built after the 1923 bond issue. It was originally named West Intermediate, but the name was changed to honor Northwest missionary Jason Lee. (filed with Argentum)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Music Festival at Jason Lee. Three girls work in classroom on decorations. (T. Times)

Public schools--Tacoma; Music festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950;Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Music Festival at Jason Lee. Five dancing couples being serenaded by five boys. All wearing Mexican costumes. The youngsters were performing in a concert entitled "Say It With Music," staged by music instructor Kathryn Bruner. Two of the musicians are Arlene Hulo on guitar and Dick Carbone on accordion. The dancers on the right side of the photograph are identified as Shirley Morgan and Paul Grimes and Virginia Royse and Dick Martin. (T. Times, 5/14/1940, p. 5)

Public schools--Tacoma; Music festivals--Tacoma--1940-1950;Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Costumes;

Girls Glee Club for 1939 Christmas program at Jason Lee. About 50 girls in long choir robes and director, half on each side altar with cross. (filed with Argentum)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Choirs (Music)--1930-1940; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Music education--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Republican candidates on stage at Jason Lee Jr. High School. Arthur Langlie, seated directly behind the speaker, awaits his turn at the podium during a large Republican rally held in the Jason Lee Auditorium. Several supporters cradle "Langlie for Governor" signs and there is one (Paul) "Preus for Congress" sign as well. "Uncle Sam", dressed in typical patriotic garb, has joined the group. A small band is seated below the stage, instruments at rest. The windy and rainy evening failed to keep away the party faithful as both Democrats and Republicans staged rallies at separate locations. This was the final drive for both parties before the November 5th election. ALBUM 2. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p.12)

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Signs (Notices);

Martha Graham gracefully lifted her arms in an interpretive dance during a April 1, 1937, appearance sponsored by the Tacoma Junior League. Miss Graham, born on May 11, 1894, was already a major force in modern dance by 1937 having already performed in sixty concerts in New York alone. Accompanied by musical director Louis Horst, Miss Graham and her troupe of twelve American girls were received by an enthusiastic audience in the Jason Lee Auditorium; her dance "Lamentation, " created in 1930, being perhaps the most popular. Proceeds from Miss Graham's performance were earmarked for the Well Baby Clinic at the County Hospital, a project of the Tacoma Junior League. Miss Graham would dance and choreograph for over 70 years and received many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976. She died on April 1, 1991, exactly 54 years after her Tacoma appearance. TPL-5108. ALBUM 8. (T.Times 4-1-37, p. 3, 4-2-37, p. 8)

Graham, Martha, 1893-1991; Dancers--Tacoma;

ca. 1935. Boy from Jason Lee Orchestra playing bassoon in front of school. The boy is probably Bruce Allen, a noted juvenile bassoonist, who would have been around 9 years old at the time of this picture. The bassoon is one of the most difficult wood instruments and is usually not attempted by such young players. By 1938, Bruce had been studying for over 2 years and played in the Tacoma Times Jr. Concert Band (formerly known as the Mickey Mouse Band.) He was placed first chair by the conductor of the Junior Orchestra at the 1938 high school music festival in St. Louis. (T. Times 1/8/1937, pg. 7; T. Times 5/20/1938)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Bassoons; Wind instruments; Allen, Bruce;

The third annual "I Am an American" Day observance, sponsored by the Tacoma Americanization Council, was held in May of 1941 at Jason Lee Middle School. Invitations were sent by the Americanization Council to over 600 newly naturalized and first generation American citizens. There were about 35 different nationalities represented at the impressive and patriotic ceremonies. Governor Arthur B. Langlie, Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain and Superior Court Judge Ernest B. Card delivered addresses of welcome. Many other dignitaries were in attendance including Federal Judge Lloyd L. Black, jurist whose court in Tacoma saw nearly 600 persons attain American citizenship during the past year and who received a silent standing tribute by the assembled new citizens before his brief speech. (T.Times 5-8-41, p. 8-article; T.Times, 5-16-41, p. 3-article)

Tacoma Americanization Council (Tacoma); Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Immigrants; Naturalization; Citizenship;

Cast of vaudeville show at Jason Lee School. 14 young people on stage, five girls and nine boys, in Mexican costumes. Three boys are a band, one is a solo dancer, the rest are coupled with the girls for dancing. Over 200 students would take part in the Jason Lee vaudeville show. The show was sponsored by the Student Improvement club as a benefit for the visual education department. (T. Times)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma; Boys--Tacoma;

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph presented a family night program for their employees and their families at Jason Lee Jr. High School auditorium. They informed their staff of the upcoming expansion and construction planned in Tacoma. They plan to bring more extensive service and general improvements to the area (T. Times, 5/4/46, p. 1).

Telephones; Telephone industry--Tacoma; Telephone companies--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

A recital, "Aloha Land," was presented by the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at Jason Lee Junior High School on May 15, 1950. Don Davies, Sherry Blaiz, Irene Grabinski and Elsie Bifano, Pete Notley, Al Tone and May Stevens were some of the guest talent who also performed. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.C-12)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Four couples are seen square dancing in Jason Lee Junior High School's gym in February of 1949. Beginning at left and working around the wheel are: Sandra Burrows and Jay Grimstead, Sara Lovell and Bob Lang, Pat Holmes and Billy Redfield, and Shirley Boyle and Fred Thomas. They were dancing to the music of Bob Hager's records. Folk dancing gained wider interest among Tacoma's schools during the late 1940's. This followed a national trend and clubs formed among adults as well as school-age individuals. (T.Times 2/20/1949 p.29; T. Times 2-6-49, p. 19-article on square dancing interest)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The 1,050 students at Jason Lee School in 1943 became personally involved in supporting the war effort. Many worked a 4-hour shift after school in local factories and shops to raise money for war bonds and stamps. From the start of the school year in September to April of 1943 when this photo was taken, the Jason Lee students bought over $4,400 in war bonds. This is the fifth jeep they helped buy for Uncle Sam. (T.Times, 4/19/1943, p.14; TNT 4/19/1943, pg.4)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile;

Honolulu Conservatory of Music's 1951 recital, "Aloha Land", was their annual revue by pupils, presented at Jason Lee's auditorium. The entire student body of the conservatory was arranged in 11 orchestral groups. Here 25 students are playing hawaiian guitar and base violin. Names of those performing was listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Floyd Piper. (TNT, 5/27/1951, p.D-9)

Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Guitars; Stages (Platforms); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma);

Students at Jason Lee Junior High School, 602 No. Sprague Ave., study in their school's new science lab on April 18, 1968. Spacious work tables with built-in sinks, bright lighting, wood flooring, and lots of storage capacity were part of the science facility. A PE/industrial arts addition was planned for the near future; this was part of a $264,000 remodeling project. This photograph was used in a News Tribune ad dated May 13, 1968, asking for school bond passage. If the bond passed, similar labs would be built at Stewart, Gray and Mason Junior Highs for $90,000. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support. (TNT ad 5-13-68, p. 6)

Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Laboratories--Tacoma--1960-1970;

• Established as Puget Sound University in 1888 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, the buildings on this site were demolished when the college moved to its new campus in 1924. Jason Lee Intermediate School was then built on this site, and was dedicated in 1925. circa 1908.
• Printed on front: Puget Sound University. Tacoma, Wash.

Circa 1911.

On June 9, 1924, the graduating students and faculty at the College of Puget Sound gathered to bid farewell to the old campus at 602 North Sprague Avenue (now the site of Jason Lee Middle School.) The building was constructed in 1903 from a design by George W. Bullard; and demolished in 1924 after the college moved to its new location at 1500 North Warner. The 21st Commencement Exercises were held on the morning of June 11th at Jones Hall on the new campus. (TNT 6/11/1924, pg. 11) Boland# B10257

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Universities & colleges--Tacoma--1920-1930;