ca. 1979. Swiss Hall, 1902-04 Jefferson Ave., circa 1979. The Swiss Society opened their hall here in 1913. It was designed by Heath & Gove. Since 1993, it has been home to the current Swiss Tavern. The building lies on the outskirts of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

Swiss Hall (Tacoma); University of Washington (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. Swiss Hall, 1902-04 Jefferson Ave., circa 1979. The Swiss Society opened their hall here in 1913. It was designed by Heath & Gove. Since 1993, it has been home to the current Swiss Tavern. The building lies on the outskirts of the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

Swiss Hall (Tacoma); University of Washington (Tacoma);

Swiss dance. Men and women seated at tables with streamers above. An array of beer mugs are on the table, coats and hats hang from hooks on the wall, framed pictures, a clock and trophy decorate the dining room. The dance is believed to have taken place at Swiss Hall, a multi-story building erected by the area's Swiss Society.

Tacoma Swiss Society (Tacoma); Swiss Americans--Tacoma; Dance--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. Tacoma Swiss Society Wrestlers, circa 1937. 23 men photographed with trophy in center and Swiss Wrestling Association flags. When the Swiss Society was formed in 1889, there were about 200 Swiss living in and around Tacoma. The Society grew steadily and in 1913, Swiss Hall was built. Affiliate organizations formed like the Swiss Singing Society Edelweiss, the Swiss Ladies Society, 1908; Swiss Wrestling Club; Swiss Aid Society, 1924; and, the Swiss Drill Team, a youth group organized in 1937. (filed with Argentum)

Wrestling--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swiss Americans--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Tacoma Swiss Society (Tacoma); Swiss Wrestling Club (Tacoma);

ca. 1937. Members of the Swiss Singing Society Edelweiss of Tacoma photographed in July of 1937 at the Swiss Hall. The group was scheduled to perform at the festival of the United States Swiss Singers of the Pacific Coast in Portland mid month. Pictured are, front row left to right, Frederick E. Gysin, Joseph Burgi, Gotleib Ribary (yodeler,) Egon Schmidt (conductor,) Werner Schmid, Charles Bishofberger, Albert Ley. 2nd Row: Rudolf Burgerber, Ernest Lehman, Rudolph Larberg, Herman Eigenman, John Meyer, Albert Bacher, Otto Kueffer. Top row: M. Zehner, Fritz Roth, Carl Svedberg (Accompanist,) Theo. Dravis, Barth Fritch, Victor Lorman, Adolph Kuenzi (T. Times 7/9/1937, p. 7). (also numbered A6043 image 1)

Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Music ensembles; Folk singers; Murals; Ethnic groups; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. In 1939, members of the Tacoma Swiss Society celebrated their 50th Anniversary. When the society was formed in 1889, there were about 200 Swiss living in and around Tacoma. The Swiss Society grew steadily and in 1913, Swiss Hall was built. Affiliate organizations formed like the Swiss Singing Society Edelweiss, shown here dressed in their native costumes. Other groups included: the Swiss Ladies Society, 1908; Swiss Wrestling Club; Swiss Aid Society, 1924; and, the Swiss Drill Team, a youth group organized in 1937. (TNT, 4/26/1939, p. 26; T. Times 3/31/1939, pg. 11).

Tacoma Swiss Society (Tacoma); Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Singers; Music ensembles; Folk singers; Murals; Ethnic groups;

Filipino-Americans from the Puget Sound area honored Pedro G. Ramirez, newly appointed consul for the Republic of the Philippines, at a banquet held in Swiss Hall. Appointed by President Manuel Roxas, Ramirez opened an office in Seattle and is the first Filipino diplomatic representative to maintain an office in the Pacific Northwest. The dinner and dance was sponsored by the Filipino-American Council of Puget Sound. (TNT, 3/27/1948, p. 10).

Ramirez, Pedro G.; Philipino-American Council of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ethnic groups--Tacoma--1940-1950; Filipino Americans; Philippines--Foreign relations--1946-1973;

Swiss singers; the Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society in native costumes, a group of approximately 30, pose in front of a mural of mountains in the Swiss Hall. The Swiss Hall was built in 1913 to replace the Swiss Society's original hall opened in 1903 in the F. Wild block at 1906-16 Jefferson Ave. When the Society was formed in 1889, it filled a social void for Tacoma's approximately 200 Swiss. In 1992, the Society left its historic hall to make room for the University of Washington, Tacoma branch.

Music ensembles; Folk singers; Murals; Ethnic groups; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Swiss Hall (Tacoma);

A reception for Bertha Lee (Steiner) and George Conrad Birchler was held at the Swiss Hall in Tacoma on July 12, 1952, to celebrate their wedding which occurred at the All Saints Catholic Church in Puyallup. Five musicians are pictured playing at the reception. The pianist is tentatively identified as Agnes Moser. Backdrop is scenic mural of boat and house on island surrounded by water. This was a Swiss group that performed somewhat regularly at events; this reception was held at the Swiss Hall. That is Agnes Moser on the piano. Joe Moser, brother to Agnes, is on the accordion; they were from Sumner, Joe Burgi, Sr. is on the bass; the Burgi family lived in Fife. Ed Schwarzenbarger on the clarinet is between the two Joes; Ed lived in Kent. The man at the far left on the clarinet is Michael Schuler, who lived with the Burgi family for a while and ultimately returned to Switzerland.

Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pianos; Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Receptions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steiner, Bertha Lee--Marriage;

Anne Marie Moser and Victor John Ranta wedding at St. Andrew's Church in Sumner. Reception at Swiss Hall, Tacoma. Group of 12 women, all wearing corsages, standing behind a long table of wedding presents.

Moser, Anne Marie--Marriage; Weddings--Sumner--1950-1960; Gifts; Swiss Hall (Tacoma);

Anne Marie Moser, daughter of Mary Elizabeth Moser, and Victor John Ranta wedding reception at Swiss Hall, Tacoma. Family members and friends seated with wedding couple at long dining table. The happy event was photographed on November 22, 1952. The couple had wed at St. Andrew's Church in Sumner.

Moser, Anne Marie--Wedding; Ranta, Victor John; Weddings--Sumner--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Swiss Hall (Tacoma);

Anne Marie Moser, daughter of Mary Elizabeth Moser, and Victor John Ranta wedding reception at Swiss Hall, Tacoma, on November 22, 1952. Large group of people in club hall with some dancing and others mingling. Club mural on wall. Mr. and Mrs. Ranta were joined in marriage in Sumner.

Moser, Anne Marie--Marriage; Ranta, Victor John; Weddings--Sumner--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress; Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Swiss Singers. The twenty men and twenty-five women joined by their director at Swiss Hall. The backdrop has been painted with a mountain scene.

Music ensembles; Folk singers; Murals; Ethnic groups; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Swiss Hall (Tacoma);

The Swiss Singers Society is celebrating with fireworks.

Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Fireworks--Tacoma;

The Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society are shown after a rehearsal at Swiss Hall. They were preparing for their spring yodel concert in early May 1950. The Edelweiss mixed chorus sang, "Fur ein Gesang fest in Fruhling", Aeschbacher, and "Daheim". The Alpenroesliz Male chorus of Seattle were also featured during the program. Dancing followed the performances. The back wall of the stage has been painted with a mountain lake scene. Ordered by Rose Stacher. (TNT, 4/30/1950, p.C-13)

Music ensembles; Folk singers; Murals; Ethnic groups; Edelweiss Swiss Singing Society (Tacoma); Swiss Hall (Tacoma);