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);

Democratic Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen and Washington State Historical Society president Reno Odlin pose before a display of paintings by Cathlamet pioneer Maude Kimball Butler on August 11, 1973. Mrs. Butler, the wife of former Wahkiakum County sheriff Donald Butler, was the mother of Mrs. Hansen and an accomplished watercolorist. Her paintings were on display at the Washington State Historical Society museum. Congresswoman Hansen was present at the annual meeting of the Washington State Historical Society. Photograph ordered by the Washington State Historical Society. (TNT 8-21-73, A-9 article)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Hansen, Julia Butler; Legislators--Washington--1970-1980; Paintings;

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;

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);

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 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);

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);

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;

Washington State Historical Society, ladies dressed in costume for the Centennial. Ordered by the TNT. One of the events planned in Tacoma to help celebrate the Washington State Territorial Centennial was a Pioneer Tea held at the Washington State Historical Museum. The tea was intended to showcase the Museum's fine collection of artifacts. It was sponsored by the Tacoma & Steilacoom chapters of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and three chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (the Mary Ball, Virginia Dare & Elizabeth Foley chapters) who served in period costumes. A musical program was provided by the Ladies' Musical Club. Pictured, left to right, Janet Judson Russell, Nellie Hartl, Josephine Alexander, Mrs. William Sechler, Josephine Bertschy, Minnie Birkie, Mrs. P.M. Simons, Isabel Wells, Mildred McCallum, Flora Blackwell and Mrs. F.L. Gordon (TNT 8/23/1953, pg. D-4 & photo TNT 8/30/1953, pg. D-7)

Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington (Tacoma); Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma);

Washington State Historical Society, ladies dressed in costume for the Centennial pose with Territorial artifacts. Ordered by the TNT. One of the highlights of the week long city wide celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Northwest Territory was the Pioneer Tea. It was hosted by members of the local chapters of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and the Daughters of the American Revolution attired in pioneer outfits. Pictured, left to right, are Mrs. Clyde Davidson, Della Gould Emmons, Miss Ruby Blackwell, Florence Hoegh and Clara E. Goering, general chairman for the week long city celebration. (TNT 8/20/1953, pg. D-7)

Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Goering, Clara; Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington (Tacoma); Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma);

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;

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);

Catherine G. (Mrs. Harry) Compton was in charge of the doll show which was one of the most important special events of the year at the Washington State Historical Society. Mrs. Compton is shown with a group of dolls that were to be on display. All doll collectors in the Tacoma area were urged to participate. Dolls with costumes and from all over the world were shown. (TNT, 2/24/1952, p.A-7)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Dolls; Compton, Catherine G.;

Chapin Foster and Mr. Eastman stand beside model in Northern Pacific Railway (Railroad) alcove at Washington State Historical Society. Model represents arrival of train at New Tacoma depot with factories, houses, bay in background.

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);

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;

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);

On June 27, 1951, a replica of the "Statue of Liberty" was unveiled at the Washington State Historical Building, 315 North Stadium Way, with ceremonies and speeches. More than 200 Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Cubs from the Mt. Rainier Council of Boy Scouts, who financed the replica through paper drives, marched with their color guards. The procession was led by a World War II Naval veteran. The unveiling proclamation was spoken by Scout Joe Crawford. James Pomeroy, Kenneth Riis and Hugh Judd pulled the veil from the statue. Roger Gotteland of Seattle, the French Consular Agent, spoke at the unveiling. There are over 200 of these replicas in 39 states in the U.S. and several of its possessions and territories. The copper statues were erected in the early 1950's by Boy Scout troops and others to celebrate Scouting�s 40th anniversary theme, "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty." Ordered by Mr. Foster. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1; www.troop101.thescouts.com)

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

Chapin D. Foster, secretary/director of the Washington State Historical Society, describes the use of Native American artifacts to a class of school children visiting the museum. The extensive collection includes: ceremonial boards, baskets, canoes, trade beads, tools, weapons, fishing equipment, clothing, masks, carved images, and exhibits showing everyday life among the Northwest and Alaska tribes.

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Children; Indians of North America; Foster, Chapin D.;

George Ball, age 12, of Redondo Beach, received a $25 check from the Tacoma Society of Architects for submitting the best design for a base of the replica of the Statue of Liberty that was to be erected by the Tacoma area Boy Scouts on the grounds of the Washington State Historical Society. L-R, Nelson J. Morrison, chairman of the architects' selection committee; Chapin D. Foster, director of the State Historical Society; George Ball; Farlin Nye, chairman of the project committee; and Lyle Swedberg, president of the Tacoma Society of Architects. (TNT, 5/20/1951, p.B-1)

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Foster, Chapin D.; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Ball, George; Nye, Farlin; Morrison, Nelson J.; Swedberg, Lyle;

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);

Museum artist J.H. Gipple builds a life like tree for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The purpose of the dioramas is to show the preserved wildlife in its natural habitat. The museum artist not only has to build the animals and cover them with the tanned skin, but also recreate all the natural elements such as rocks and vegetation from materials that will last. The limb of the tree was from where the cougar leapt from to attack a deer. The setting is a reproduction of the Nile Creek vicinity in the Yakima area. The branches and vegetation on the tree were brought from that area and chemically treated to retain their color indefinitely. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg. A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

A young woman poses in the almost completed diorama of an attacking cougar for the Washington State Historical Museum. The cougar's tanned skin covers the body frame of wood, bone and straw. The body is completed with the cougar's actual claws and glass eyes. The body is suspended from the ceiling with wires to hold it in an attacking position. The rocks and bushes complete the natural setting. The young woman poses in place of the cougar's usual prey, the deer.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Museum artist J.H. Gipple creates a rock for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The rocks are created from papier-mache; paper pulped with glue and formed around a wooden form to simulate a rock. The diorama will show the woodland area that is the cougar's home in the wild. The complex display showing the life or death struggle between a cougar and a white tailed deer took four months to complete.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

In December of 1950, taxidermist J.H. Gipple was busy working on a deer form for a diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. The deer's torso has been created from lightweight wood with the real skull attached to a long metal rod "neck". The deer's real leg bones are attached to the torso with metal attachments. The museum artist is using straw to fill out the body in preparation for covering with the tanned skin. The skin has been treated with chemical preservatives to keep the skin soft and make it last. The deer shown is a three or four year old white tail, with antlers in the "velvet" stage of growth. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.; Deer--Tacoma--1950-1960;

J.H. Gipple, taxidermist, at work on the background scenery for the cougar diorama at the Washington State Historical Society Museum. A diorama is an exhibit recreating the preserved wildlife in its natural habitat including rocks, plants and other natural scenery. The museum goer can then see how the wild animals lived in nature. The museum artist is recreating boulders with a wood frame covered by papier-mache and then painted to appear real. Smaller boulders may be carved from foam.

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.;

J.H. Gipple, taxidermist, creates the artificial bodies of a cougar attacking a deer for the Washington State Historical Society's diorama. Taxidermy is the art of putting a real animal skin on an artificial body. First, every part of the animal is measured so that the artificial body will fit inside the skin. The skin is removed from the body and tanned and the skeleton is saved. A body frame is created, either from wood or actual bones, and then covered with wire mesh and straw. In this picture, the frame is coated with a material in preparation for the addition of the skin. The cougar is suspended from wires in the ceiling to approximate an pouncing position. The cougar was killed near Eatonville by Robert E. Albaugh of Tacoma. The animal measured almost eight feet in length. (TNT 4/8/1951, pg. A-4)

Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Taxidermy; Dioramas--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gipple, J.H.; Pumas--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;