Outgoing University-Union Club president James A. Milgard examines the club's ledger with incoming president Thomas L. Fishburne (r) on July 21, 1971. Mr. Fishburne was an attorney with the firm of Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson, O'Hern & Johnson. Mr. Milgard was associated with Milgard Mfg. which would later become the largest producer of residential windows in the western United States. Photograph ordered by the University-Union Club of Tacoma.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Milgard, James A.; Fishburne, Thomas L.;

Sigma Alpha Epsilon banquet. On March 11, 1955, over 100 members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon from Tacoma and Southwest Washington gathered for a dinner at the University Union Club to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the fraternity's founding. Albert Balch, member of the Master Builders and community designer, was the guest speaker. His topic was "Building for Tomorrow." During his speech, Balch predicted a population boom for the Northwest. (TNT 3/2/1955, pg. A-11)

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Tacoma); University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Four women in print, Hawaiian-like dresses, with leis around their necks, posed in August of 1955 to help publicize the University Union Club's Hawaiian Party. Planned for August 18, the party featured an exotic luau, followed by dancing to the strains of a Hawaiian orchestra. Pictured (left to right) are Jeanette (Mrs. William) Shaw, Jean (Mrs. William) Drury, Ruth (Mrs. Thomas) Murphy and Jeanne (Mrs. Frank) Kraucunas. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 13, 8/14/1955, pg. D-1)

Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Shaw, Jeanette; Drury, Jean; Murphy, Ruth; Kraucunas, Jeanne;

On June 9, 1939, the unidentified University-Union Club doorman opened the automobile door for E. F. Cardin, Jr. and Lorain Cousins, in formal attire, to enter the Club under the canvas-covered awning. The doorman's elegant white uniform added glamour to the evening event, attended by 500 guests, celebrating the clubs' merger. By 1938, the Union Club had been located in the elegant building at 539 Broadway for 50 years. In 1939, a decision was reached by the Union Club and the University Club to merge into one, the University-Union Club, at this location. The membership for the joint club was full at 450 members. Mr. Cardin was a trustee for the new organization. (T. Times 6/7/1939, pg. 11; 6/3/1939, pg. 5- articles only)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Cardin, E.F.; Cousins, Lorain;

Union Club and University Club charter members hang a new charter over the 1888 fireplace for the merger of the two clubs into the University Union Club. L. to r: Dr. Charles McCreery, Dr. William McCreery, Melville Pugh, John S. Baker, and George P. Fishburne. (T. Times, 6/71939, p. 20).

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); McCreery, Charles; Pugh, Melville; Baker, John S.; Fishburne, George P.; Charters; McCreery, William B.;

On August 9, 1939, Emory Reagan Sr., a flagpole painter, used a "bos'n's chair" to ascend the 150 foot flagpole at the University Union Club at 539 Broadway. The pole took 5 1/2 hours to paint, during which time Reagan remained aloft. His young sons Duane, 8, and Emory, Jr., 11, kept him supplied with paint and brushes, sent up by a rope and pulley. Mr. Reagan was 35 at the time of this picture and lived with his wife and family at 5020 6th Ave. (T.Times 8/10/1939 p.1)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Painting; Reagan, Emory; Flagpoles;

On August 9, 1939, Emory Reagan Sr., a flagpole painter, used a "bos'n's chair" to ascend the 150 foot flagpole at the University Union Club at 539 Broadway. The pole took 5 1/2 hours to paint, during which time Reagan remained aloft. His young sons Duane, 8, and Emory, Jr., 11, kept him supplied with paint and brushes, sent up by a rope and pulley. Mr. Reagan was 35 at the time of this picture and lived with his wife and family at 5020 6th Ave. (T.Times 8/10/1939 p.1) cropped enlargement of D8738 image 2

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Painting; Reagan, Emory; Flagpoles;

The small sons of Emory Reagan Sr. take a break from helping Dad paint the flagpole at the University Union Club. Emory Jr., 11, holds on to the rope that sends supplies up to Dad, eliminating the need for him to go up and down the pole repeatedly. Duane, 8, holds a paintbrush and Mickey, the family's two month old terrier. The senior Mr. Reagan remained aloft on the flagpole for 5 1/2 hours completing his paint job. The boys resided with their mom and dad at 5020 6th Ave. (T. Times 8/10/1939, pg. 1)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Painting; Reagan, Emory; Reagan, Duane;

Dinner honoring Nancy Hewitt at University Union Club on June 26, 1939. Party was probably in honor of her upcoming marriage on June 28, 1939. (filed with Argentum)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Hewitt, Nancy;

University-Union Club formal dance. Group of four society couples gathered for informal portrait in front of large, American flag. The four people in the center of the photo are tentatively identified as Augusta (Mrs. Bartlett) Rummel, Barbara Ball Hewitt, Bill Brown and Henry Hewitt.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

University-Union Club formal dance. Party-goers in overcoats standing by long, striped canvas awning at entrance. Several women are wearing fur coats, one has her hands tucked inside a matching fur muff.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

University - Union Club. General view of clubhouse by Whedden and Lewis, Architects; 1888. (filed with Argentum)

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma)--Buildings;

ca. 1940. The milkman prepares to leave a few bottles at the door of the University Union Club. He is driving a Diamond T dairy truck. The milk he's delivering is Jersey Milk, from the Grand Pre farm owned by Paul Hebb. Diamond T trucks were commercial trucks and were manufactured by the Diamond T Truck Co., 3811 South Tacoma Way. TPL-4730

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diamond T trucks; Milkmen & milkwomen--1940-1950; Milk;

Two couples pose at the University Union Club Sadie Hawkins Dance on March 15, 1941. The men are dressed in formal attire, but the women are definitely attired Dogpatch style. The pairs are seated on a hay bale and tin cups and cans have taken the places of drink glasses for the evening. Sadie Hawkins Day, usually celebrated in November, was the invention of Al Capp in his Li'l Abner comic strip. It was the day, decades before women's liberation, when women could ask out the man of their dreams. By the 1930's, it was sweeping the nation. The schedule for the evening included dancing from 9:30- 1, followed by a supper.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The room is swaying to the swinging sounds of Stan Miskoski and his orchestra at the University Union Club's Sadie Hawkins dance on March 15, 1941. The orchestra is attired in keeping with the Dogpatch theme of the Club's first costume ball in two years. Sadie Hawkins Day was an American Folk event started by Al Capp in his Li'l Abner comic strip. Decades before women's liberation, it was the day when emboldened females could ask out the man of their choice.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miskoski, Stan;

It was the tradition of the old University Club (newly reformed in 1939 as the University-Union Club) to entertain the Justices of the State Supreme Court at an annual dinner and entertainment. The 33rd annual event was held November 20, 1940 at the club with Mayor Harry P. Cain as toastmaster. The "entertainment" portion was turned over to the Tacoma Drama League. They are pictured portraying the Justices in rapt interest over the finer points of a divorce case. The "judges" are, left to right, J. Walley Showman (reading the Police Gazette), William L. Brown, E.E. "Bud" Bare Jr., J.K. "Jock" Gordon and Irving W. Thomas. (T. Times 11/20/1940, pg. 3)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Impersonation;

The Spinster Club held their annual tea at the University - Union Club on October 19, 1941. A young unidentified woman is pictured here with a floral piece in shape of an "S." Despite its name, the club was not restricted to unmarried women. It served as a social club for Tacoma girls, many from prominent local families. (T. Times, 10-25-41, p. 3) [Also dated 10-18-1941]

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Three young women enjoy the camaraderie at the Spinster Club's annual tea held at the University-Union Club on October 19, 1941. The tea was to honor prospective members. Among the decorations on the table is a large "S" made out of flowers. The color scheme was blue and silver. Lea Mills, Club president, and Virginia Austin, secretary, were acting as hostesses. (T.Times, 10-25-41, p. 3)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Members of the planning committee for the University Union's Club pre-Christmas tea, scheduled for December 2, 1941, pose for this publicity shot at the Club. Standing, left to right, are Katherine (Mrs. John) Mueller, Mrs. Harry A.D. Smith, Kathryn (Mrs. H.R.) Pirret and Antoinette (Mrs. Harold K.) Nichols. Seated, L to R, Dorothy (Mrs. Jess) Read, Jane (Mrs. Edwin) Warren, Esther (Mrs. C.M.) Langhorne, and Marian (Mrs. J. Corning) Todd. (T.Times 11/29/1941, pg. 5)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Mueller, Katherine; Pirret, Kathryn; Nichols, Antoinette; Read, Dorothy; Warren, Jane; Langhorne, Esther; Todd, Marian;

ca. 1943. Publicity for St. Patrick's Stag Night at University-Union Club. (work order dated 1/13/1943) Picture possibly from March of 1943.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma;

University Union Club Honor Roll, Mr. Ireland. An outdoor plaque lists the names of the University Union Clubs members in service titled "Honor Roll".

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Mr. Pirrett. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce officials invited local business men to participate in the Pacific Northwest Advisory Board. This board would meet on a monthly basis with Governor Langlie. View of nine Tacoma business men, James E. Morris, Vice President of Weyerhauser Sales Co., is in the back row second from left. Photo ordered by Mr. Harrold R. Pirret, Sales Manager at Sperry Flour Co.

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Morris, James E.; Pirret, Harrold R.; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

University Union Club. On June 10, 1939 the Union Club, founded in 1888, and the University Club, founded in 1906, merged together. They became the University Union Club and had over 350 members. This building at 539 Broadway was designed by the architectural firm headed by Stanford White. His firm also designed the original Tacoma Hotel. White was shot and killed in 1906 by Harry Thaw, apparently out of jealousy over the relationship between Thaws's wife and White.

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma)--Buildings;

University Union Club. Wives of the executive board received other wives of members at a Christmas Tea on December 13th, 1946. L-R, Beryl (Mrs. Edward) Gazecki, Peggy E. (Mrs. Ted) Brown, Catherine (Mrs. Arthur) Gunderson, Barbara B. (Mrs. Warren Y.) Hull, Grace M. (Mrs. C. Nathan) Lynn, Alice G. (Mrs. Charles M.) Fogg, and Florence B. (Mrs Clifford) Sayre. (T.Times, 12/14/1946, p.8)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Gazecki, Beryl; Brown, Peggy E.; Gunderson, Catherine L.; Hull, Barbara B.; Lynn, Grace M.; Fogg, Alice G.; Sayre, Florence B.;

Members of the University Union Club held their annual "Turkey Hop" informal dance at the Club's building at 539 Broadway, on November 23, 1946. Members looked forward to the yearly event because many of them would be taking home a turkey to grace their Thanksgiving day table. Examining one of the turkeys that would be given away at the dance are: (l to r) James Ramsdell, Howard Lincoln, Hugo Metzler, A. Burwood Kennedy, and John Gilbertson, chair of the affair; Mr. Gilbertson is holding a lethal looking hatchet. (T.Times, 11/20/1946, p.6; 11/23/1946, p.3))

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Turkeys; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ramsdell, James; Lincoln, Howard A.; Metzler, Hugo; Kennedy, A. Burwood; Gilbertson, John; Holidays--Tacoma;

University-Union Club members and a chef admire the buffet of Scandinavian delicacies on display in late January of 1947 at the annual "Stag and Doe" party. A complete roasted pig was the highlight of the dinner. Club members above have been tentatively identified (from left) as Art Gunderson and Tony Hull at far right.

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pork; Cooks;

Josephine Graves shares with Kay Thompson her new April 28, 1947 issue of Life Magazine. The pictured mothers and daughters are taking a break from planning the University Union Club's springtime social event, the Mothers and Daughters' Tea, to peruse the magazine's pictures of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from the American Repertory Theatre's production of "Alice in Wonderland." The tea will be held May 21, 1947 at the club with entertainment and corsages for all the mothers. L-R, back row: Jean M. (Mrs. Armond) Marion, Suzanne Marion, Mary B. (Mrs. George) Russell, Milfred Russell, and Janice Graves. Front row: Jane Thompson, Iris T. (Mrs. William) Healy, Helen B. (Mrs. J. Arthur) Thompson, Kay Thompson, and Josephine M. (Mrs. Jay P.) Graves. In foreground, Katherine Healy. (T.Times, 5/17/1947, p.9)

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Birthday party at Union-University Club. Mrs. Charles Eckstrom. Eleven girls gathered for Carolyn Eckstrom's 10th birthday: L-R, seated; Suzanne Baker, Eileen Eckstrom (floor), Carolyn Eckstrom, Mary Rowland, Patty Reed, Margaret Graham (floor); standing; Joan Hansen, Anne Rowland, Joanne Treichel (arm of sofa), Patty Lynam and Elizabeth McAllister (seated in arm chair). (T.Times, 6/21/1947, p.12)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children's parties; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eckstrom, Carolyn; Baker, Suzanne; Eckstrom, Eileen; Rowland, Mary; Reed, Patty; Graham, Margaret; Treichel, Joanne; Lynam, Patty;

Smorgasbord dinner at University-Union Club, Quentin Schmitt, University-Union Club. The University-Union Club held their 5th annual smorgasbord April 19, 1948. The planning committee wore Scandinavian costumes and a native accordianist played. The committee is standing behind the buffet that beautifully displayed the Scandinavian foods. Names listed. (T.Times, 4/17/1948, p.9; 4/24/1948, p.9)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes--Scandinavian; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Posed around the table laden with Christmas decorations and appetizers at the University Union Club are, left to right, Linda Ross, Eleanor Dickman, Robin Ross, Kay Kelly, Diana Davis, Jill Davis and Charlotte Rowland. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune. The UU Women's Christmas Tea was scheduled for December 11th, 1953 from 3-5p.m. The tea had a silver Christmas motif. The day dawned darkly, but rainy skies did not dampen the atmosphere at the candlelit tea. Mrs. Dickman and Rowland poured while the girls served. (TNT 12/9/1953, pg. B-8)

University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ross, Linda; Dickman, Eleanor; Ross, Robin; Kelly, Kay; Davis, Diana; Davis, Jill; Rowland, Charlotte;