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);

William P. Bonney, pictured left center with trowel, Pierce County native son and secretary of the Washington Historical Society, can now add masonry to his long list of careers. He has been a farmer, teamster, dispatch rider and pharmacist; and most recently he went up to the roof of the Ferry Museum to "help" place one of the stones for the cornice of the $40,000 third story being constructed on one wing of the building. The additional story will display works of art and historical relics now kept in storage rooms. The work is scheduled to be completed by summer. (T. Times 3/13/1937, pg. 1)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bonney, William P.; Remodeling;

Washington State Historical Society, ( Ferry Museum ). General view of building by George W. Bullard, Architect. (T. Times, Spring Edition)

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

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;

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;

Kappa Phi girls in old fashioned costumes pose in front of the alcove display paying tribute to the first missionaries coming to the Northwest. The alcove, the latest addition to the McCormick Hall in the Washington State Historical Society, was sponsored by Brown & Haley. A large painting of Cushing Fells, the first missionary in the Spokane area, shows him preaching to a group of Indians. Also included in the display were relics from Catholic missionaries and letters from Jason Lee who was the first missionary to come into the Northwest, having been sent here in 1834 by the Methodist church. Ordered by Chapin Foster. (TNT, 12/10/1950, p.A-17)

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

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;

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);

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;

The 50th anniversary of the Virginia Dare chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution was celebrated with a guest tea at the Washington State Historical Society museum on Monday, September 10, 1951. Charter members of the chapter were among those in attendance. Five unidentified women stand behind serving table and three-tierd cake. Portrait of Issac Stevens and other pioneer items in background. (TNT 9-16-51, D-1)

National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Tea parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Roger Gotteland of Seattle, French Consular Agent, speaking in Tacoma at the unveiling of a replica of the Statue of Liberty at the Washington State Historical Society. The replica was presented to the Washington State Historical Society by the Mount Rainier Council of Boy Scouts, comprising part of King and Pierce counties. The statue was the first to be erected in Washington as part of a national Scout Americanization program. Ordered by Mr. Foster. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Foster, Chapin D.; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Earl Coe, Secretary of State, presented a replica of the Washington State Seal to the Washington State Historical Society in late 1951. View of exhibit at historical society; possible replica of state seal on the left wall, portrait of Elisha Ferry, first governor, along with his desk. The Washington State Historical Society's building on North Stadium Way was built in the Neo-Classical Revival style, designed by architect George W. Bullard, and built in 1911. It later added the Ferry Museum with construction occupying most of 1916. .

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Ferry, Elisha P., 1825-1895;

Chapin D. Foster and Dean H. Eastman present a new exhibit at the Washington State Historical Society depicting Northern Pacific Railway's first transcontinental train arriving at Tacoma's 17th and Pacific Avenue depot. Dean H. Eastman, assistant vice president of Northern Pacific, represented the company in development of the scene. The exhibit was the work of Kenn E. Johnson, a Tacoma artist. (TNT, 1/12/1952, p.B-5)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Foster, Chapin D.; Eastman, Dean H.; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Twelve students from Bryant Elementary School, dressed in colonial costumes, pose in front of the old Washington State Historical Society building, 315 No. Stadium Way, in February, 1953. Looking very much like little George and Martha Washingtons, the boys have white pigtailed "wigs" while the girls are adorned with white decorated caps. The students were first graders whose teacher, Mrs. Donald Fries, taught them to dance the stately and graceful minuet. Students pictured are: Calvin Bertram, Paul Dessen, Craig Luoma, David Peschek, Mark Redal, Fred Wahlgren, Patricia Dillinger, Linda Fote, Geri Rickard, Diane Thomson, Mary Lee Merz and Mary Louise Dotter. (TNT 2-22-53, D-1, D-2) TPL-10188

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Dancers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

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;

A juxtaposition of old and new is the site of the venerable Washington State Historical Society Building and its new wing as pictured on November 9, 1973. After more than two years of planning and construction, the Historical Society opened its doors to the new four-story addition. Although it would not be completed until January of 1974, the majority of the building was finished enough so that visitors could tour the facility in May of 1973. A formal dedication with Dr. Louis L. Tucker as key speaker, was held on Saturday, October 6, 1973. Attendees were welcome to tour the new wing with its collection of murals, glassware, Edward W. Allen historic maps and Arthur Rowan early American quilts. Photograph ordered by the Washington State Historical Society. (TNT 10-4-73, A1, A-4 article; TNT 10-7-73, H-10 article)

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

W.P. Bonney, left, of the Washington State Historical Society, and Harvey Scofield, expert rifleman and small arms authority, examine an old, American-made "Kentucky Rifle" used by Levant Frederick Thompson in the Indian War of 1855. Mr. Thompson was the youngest member of the first territorial legislature and the oldest member of the first state legislature. (T. Times, 5/26/38, p. 2).

Bonney, William P.; Guns; Firearms; Scofield, Harvey;

Alonzo Victor Lewis, noted sculptor, stands in the shadow of a column at the entry to the Ferry Museum where he recently added the art-deco detail above the front doors. Artistic portraiture. (T. Times).

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

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;

In March of 1937, work began on construction of a $40,000 third story addition to the Washington State Historical Society, 315 No. Stadium Way. A crane on the roof is helping to erect the masonry cornice on the roof level. The additional space was being added to provide a display area for the museums valuable collection of art and historical relics which were crowded into storage areas not open to the public. This building is now the Washington Historical Society Research Center. (T. Times 3/30/1937, pg. 1)

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

Meeting of Fine Arts Studio Club at the Washington State Historical Society Building, TNT, Ernie Knight. Members of the Fine Arts Studio Club of Tacoma met at the Washington State Historical Society Building. They heard songs accompanied by one of the members playing on an old, square piano and were taken on a tour of the current exhibits including one of old musical instruments. (TNT, 2/22/1948, p.B-4)

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Fine Arts Studio Club (Tacoma); Group portraits; Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Meeting of Fine Arts Studio Club at the Washington State Historical Society Building, TNT, Ernie Knight. Members of the Fine Arts Studio Club were taken on a tour of the Washington State Historical Society's collections with special attention given to the rare, old musical instruments that were housed there. Members were allowed to play the instruments. Fritz Berntsen played an old guitar, Adeline F. (Mrs. Byron) Foreman an autoharp, C.N. Arendt a flageolet, Eliz (Mrs. Fritz) Berntsen a concertina and Paul Prentice a Chinese stringed instrument. (TNT, 2/22/1948, p. B-4; 3/7/1948, p. B-4))

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Fine Arts Studio Club (Tacoma); Musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wind instruments; Autoharps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stringed instruments; Lutes; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);