Washington State Historical Society secretary William P. Bonney poses next to the "Lister" table in front of the Ferry Museum. The table was donated to the Society on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the J.H. Lister family in Tacoma. The family emigrated from England and established Standard Iron Works on East 23rd. Second generation Listers included Arthur, Ernest, Alfred, Albert and sister Mrs. D.M. McInnis. Arthur served for 25 years as the superintendent of the pattern department of the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Ernest was elected governor in 1912 and reelected in 1916. He died in office three years later. Alfred served as city controller, manager of the Tacoma school board and president of Tacoma Savings and Loan. Albert was a prosperous farmer outside of Olympia and his sister's family had a farm on McNeil Island. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9 E.T. Short's column "After Many Years")

Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;

Washington State Historical Society secretary William P. Bonney with the Lister table on steps of the Ferry Museum. The table was donated to the Society by Alfred Lister on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the J.H. Lister family in Tacoma. The Listers emigrated from England and established Standard Iron Works in Tacoma. They grew to hold important city and state governmental and banking posts. The inlaid table was made by J.H. Lister in 1900, when he was 70 years old. It contains 5209 accurately cut pieces, 4163 of which are in the top. Bonney accepted the table on behalf of the Society. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9, E.T. Short's column "After Many Years")

Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;

Alfred Lister, on the right, presents W.P. Bonney, left, and the Washington State Historical Society with a table made by his father, J. H. Lister; celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the family's arrival in Tacoma. The inlaid "Lister" table was hand crafted by the elder Lister when he was 70 years old and contains 5209 accurately cut and fitted pieces. Alfred Lister, after a varied career in public service, is now president of Tacoma Savings and Loan. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9) (filed with Argentum)

Bonney, William P.; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques; Lister, Alfred;

The Lister table on steps of Ferry Museum. The beautiful inlaid table was made by J. H. Lister in 1900 when he was 70 years old. It contains 5209 individually cut and fitted pieces, 4163 of which are in the top. The table was donated to the Washington State Historical Society by Mr. Lister's son, Alfred, on the 50th anniversary of the immigrant family's arrival in Tacoma. The Listers established Standard Iron Works on East 23rd St. and the sons went on to hold important government and banking positions. (T. Times 10/13/1934, pg. 9)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Antiques;

Chapin Foster became the manager of the Washington State Historical Society after the death of William P. Bonney. Mr. Foster suggested a permanent display of photographs and large transparencies that would show how this part of the Northwest, developed as "North Oregon", became the Washington territory and the territory became Washington State. S.A. Perkins, president of the Society approved the idea and the show opened January 23, 1949. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.2)

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

Exhibit showing transparancies and murals at Ferry Museum, Washington State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. The S.A. Perkins project depicted how this part of the Northwest developed first as North Oregon, the Washington Territory and then Washington State. It represented the entire state from Cathlamet to Okanogan, from Grays Harbor to Steptoe Butte. The show opened at the Ferry Museum January 23, 1949, (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.2)

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

Exhibit showing transparancies and murals at Ferry Museum, Washington State Historical Society, Mr. Foster. Mr. Chapin D. Foster is putting the final touches on the display of materials depicting the development of Washington State from when the area was known as North Oregon, the Washington Territories and then became a state. (T.Times, 1/23/1949, p.2)

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

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;

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;

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.;

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);

Among the most cherished possessions of Eliza Ferry Leary was the Bible used to administer the oath of office to her father, Elisha P. Ferry, the first governor of Washington State. After Mrs. Leary died, the Bible was deposited with the Washington State Historical Society. W.P. Bonney sits at Governor Ferry's desk flanked by Ruth and Harold Wheeler. The Wheelers were students in the History department at the College of Puget Sound. The chair in which Mr. Bonney is seated was made in 1854 for Isaac I. Stevens, the first governor of the Washington Territory. (T.Times, 11/11/1937 p. 14)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Bibles--Tacoma; Bonney, William P.; Wheeler, Harold; Wheeler, Ruth; Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862--Associated objects; Ferry, Elisha P., 1825-1895--Associated objects;

Among the most cherished possessions of Eliza Ferry Leary was the Bible used to administer the oath of office to her father, Elisha P. Ferry, the first governor of Washington State. After Mrs. Leary died, the Bible was deposited with the Washington State Historical Society. W.P. Bonney, sitting at Governor Ferry's desk, at which he wrote his first message to the legislature, reads the inscription on the fly leaf of the Bible to Ruth and Harold Wheeler. The Wheelers were students in the History department at the College of Puget Sound. The chair in which Mr. Bonney is seated was made in 1854 for Isaac I. Stevens, the first governor of the Washington Territory. (T.Times, 11/11/1937 p. 14)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Bibles--Tacoma; Bonney, William P.; Wheeler, Harold; Wheeler, Ruth; Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862--Associated objects; Ferry, Elisha P., 1825-1895--Associated objects;

Art gallery in new top floor of Ferry Museum. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Art; Ferry Museum (Tacoma);

Sculptor Alonzo Victor Lewis standing by stairs in new top floor art gallery of Ferry Museum. (T. Times)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Lewis, Alonzo Victor; Art;

ca. 1937. J.S. Kemp art collection at the Ferry Museum, Washington State Historical Society. Photograph also numbered A7407-1

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Washington State Historical Society Building welcomed a new Indian department on March 1, 1953; it would eventually include the entire fourth floor excluding the library. There were apparently Indian artifacts from various tribes across the state, including the Columbia, Flathead, Chewelah and Kutenai. View of Indian department; displays include baskets, masks, blankets, clothing and a framed painting from the Edward S. Curtis collection. The tepee shown was made by the Yakama tribe; it was placed in front of a scene donated by Yakima pioneers including Walter Purdin. Photograph ordered by Chapin Foster. (TNT 3-1-53, A-4)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Tipis--Tacoma; Baskets; Masks--Tacoma;

Northwest pioneer Ezra Meeker is pictured on November 25, 1924, at the wheel of a White motor bus parked at the Ferry Museum, 315 North Stadium Way. Lettering on the bus promotes Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition. Ezra Meeker had originally crossed the old Oregon Trail using oxen more than 50 years ago, quite a contrast to the modern convenience of land travel, a tour bus. Officials of the upcoming Transcontinental Highways Exposition in Reno had made a promotional stop in Tacoma, one of the many scheduled in their eleven state tour. G1.1-130 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-30-24, 6G)

Meeker, Ezra, 1830-1928; Buses;

Bearded pioneer Ezra Meeker posed with a group of men and women outside the Ferry Museum, 315 North Stadium Way, on November 25, 1924. Behind them was parked a small White bus advertising Nevada's Transcontinental Highways Exposition to be held in Reno from June 1-October 1, 1926. Next to Mr. Meeker on the right were W.B. Gelatt and Joseph Hutchinson, officials for the Transcontinental Highways Exposition. The women are Mrs. Gelatt and Jean Taylor of Reno. The group was touring eleven western states on behalf of the exposition, to be held in Reno in 1926. TPL-5687; G1.1-132A (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-30-24, 6-G)

Meeker, Ezra, 1830-1928; Ferry Museum (Tacoma); Buses; Gelatt, W.B.; Gelatt, W.B.--Family; Hutchinson, Joseph; Taylor, Jean;

April, 1961, sun-drenched view of the Neo-Classical Washington State Historical Society building overlooking Commencement Bay. The historical society was holding its 70th annual meeting on April 8, 1961. Reno Odlin was re-elected president of the Board of Curators; guest speaker R. Franklin Thompson, president of the University of Puget Sound, reviewed the history of the historical society. 35 years later, the historical society would build a new history museum on Pacific Avenue. TPL-2338 (TNT 4-9-61, A-18)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Two youngsters gaze in awe at the replica of the Statue of Liberty welcoming visitors to the Washington State Historical Society museum. The statue was presented to the Society in 1951 by the Mount Rainier Council of Boy Scouts.

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Progress photograph of construction occurring at the new wing in Washington State Historical Society building in 1971. A brick edifice is shown in the center of the color photograph; there are at least two arched doorways. Construction began in the spring of 1971 and was expected to take a year. The $1,000,000 addition would include a 300-seat auditorium, new library and a permanent gallery of Western art. (TNT 2-7-71, A-1 sketch)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Progress photographs of new addition to the Washington State Historical Society building in 1971. Forms are in place and plywood stacked nearby. The majestic Stadium High School is in the background. The $1,000,000 wing was expected to take a year to complete. Architects in charge were the firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. (TNT 2-7-71, A-1 -sketch)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Progress photograph of ongoing construction at the Washington State Historical Building, 315 No. Stadium Way, in 1971. Workers are busy on the addition to the venerable museum. Originally known as the Ferry Museum, it was built in 1911. Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson and Richards designed this $1,000,000+ wing which would include a 300-seat auditorium, new library and permanent gallery featuring Western art. The four-story, 30,000 sq. ft. addition opened on May 4, 1973, although final work would not be completed until about January 1, 1974. (TNT 2-7-71, A-1 - sketch; TNT 4-29-73, Tahoman insert, p. 2-article)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

1971 progress photograph of new construction at the Washington State Historical Building. A new wing had been designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards that would include a new library, 300-seat auditorium and permanent gallery featuring Western art. The addition was expected to cost over $1,000,000. The addition was scheduled to open on Friday, May 4, 1973 although final work would not be completed until January 1, 1974. The four-story, 30,000 sq. ft. structure about doubled the size of the old facility. Besides a new elevator, restrooms would be placed on every floor and a large rooftop deck for outdoor exhibits was planned. Further improvements planned were a large parking lot and additional landscaping. Color photograph taken on spec but not ordered by the Washington State Historical Society. (TNT 4-29-73, Tahoman insert, p. 2-article)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma);

1973 Richards stock footage. By May of 1973, construction appears to be complete on the new wing of the Washington State Historical Society Building, 315 North Stadium Way. The new construction was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards to include room for a new library, auditorium and permanent gallery for Western art. It was located at the rear of the original structure.

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