Two carpenters are in the midst of finishing the interior of a new model home for the Tacoma Master Builders Association. They appear to be working in the living room portion of the home; a large brick fireplace has already been laid with cabinets and shelves adjacent. The Master Builders Association built model homes each year for the Parade of Homes, held in conjunction with National Home Week, and also constructed a model home for the Tacoma Home Show held in May of each year. The location of the Tacoma Home Show model was kept secret until the show opened; in 1954, S.L. Rowland Co. did the honors. (TNT 4-4-54, B-13)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma;

May was a prime month for rhododendrons. The Tacoma Chapter, American Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show on May 15-16, 1954, in the Bank of California lobby. Exhibitors were concerned that an early May 1st frost had damaged the supply of rhododendrons but the more than 100 varieties entered eased their fears. As in previous years, the bank lobby was landscaped with specimen plants as the background for entry exhibits; view of lobby filled with rhododendrons. This year it was decided that the flower show would be noncompetitive and no prizes awarded. (TNT 5-12-54, B-1, TNT 5-16-54, A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Tacoma Art League reproduction. Two women prepare for the Tacoma Art League show in Jones Hall on the campus of the College of Puget Sound in late September, 1957. One woman holds up a drawing of an Asian multi-tiered building; a similar, or perhaps the same, architectural model is adjacent on the table. Also on the table is a landscaping design with small rocks placed among the geometric shapes. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Art League.

Tacoma Art League (Tacoma); Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show May 8-9, 1954, in Normanna Hall. The public was invited to attend at no charge. The University of Washington Arboretum sent plants to display as well as the U.S. government's Ballard Canal Locks. The offerings from Tacoma growers included those plants grown specially in greenhouses. View taken of stage at Normanna Hall; stage is covered with rhodys with Maypole in center. Example of rockery with flowering plants can also be seen facing stage. (TNT 5-6-54, A-7)

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma;

Fourteen year old William Bennett was chosen to represent the entire Pacific Northwest at a joint Canadian-American Red Cross study conference held in Ontario, Canada, Aug. 21-31, 1955. The purpose of the conference was to help define the appropriate role of young people in the Red Cross service, locally, nationally and internationally. "Bill," the son of Mrs. Doris Bennet of 3714 No. 16th and J.L. Bennett of 3128 West Sound View Dr., was chosen for his outstanding ability, maturity, background and interest in Red Cross work. Forty seven teenagers from the U.S. and the same number from Canada were to attend the conference, as well as UNESCO sponsored young adult leaders from Yugoslavia, Greece and Japan, and Red Cross leaders from Chile, Uruguay & Jamaica. Bill, who attended Mason Jr. High School, left on Aug. 16th via Great Northern for Chicago, to meet with others travelling to the joint study in Ontario. (TNT 7/24/1955, pg. 1) TPL-9870

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Bennett, William; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Prospective homeowners head toward the Tacoma Master Builders Association's fall Parade of Homes in September, 1955. Each year the members of the Tacoma Master Builders built as many as sixty homes and opened them for the viewing public. This picture was shot on opening day, 1955, at the University Place cluster of 21 new homes. The viewpoint is of homes located on Robin Road; nearby street would be Olympic Drive.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. In August of 1952, the American Legion held its annual state convention in Tacoma. It was highlighted by afternoon downtown parades with drill teams, drum and bugle corps and floats. This marching group, representing the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post #2 of Tacoma, wore a wide variety of clothing, including uniforms from all the branches of the US military and what appears to be Scottish regalia. The drum majorette wore a costume covered with the flags of many countries. The group posed in front of the Colonial Hotel, 701-05 Commerce St. The Rhodes Post #2 was incorporated on May 28, 1920 with 15 names on the charter; the second charter granted in the state of Washington and the first in Pierce county. The Post was located at 407 So. G St. The present day Post is formed of veterans of all the conflicts and continues to battle for the rights of veterans. (T. Reporter, 8/11/1952, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Marching bands; Bugles;

Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild. Interior exposure of decorated tent for "Strawberry Festival" taken on June 20, 1952. Spacious tent is set up with dining tables, evergreen trees and pots of ferns and flowers. The Marie Hazen Orthopedic Guild sponsored a "Strawberry Festival" for many years.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Marie Hazen Guild (Tacoma); Tents; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Large group of young couples at Club of Hearts "Sea Breeze" cotton-and-cord dance held at Greenwood Manor on August 5, 1952. Women wearing summer cotton dresses, men dressed in corduroy pants (trousers) and shirts. One couple has large, stuffed panda bear.

Club of Hearts (Lakewood); Greenwood Manor (Lakewood); Dance parties--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Large group of young couples at Club of Hearts "Sea Breeze", cotton and cord dance held at Greenwood Manor. Women wearing summer cotton dresses, men dressed in corduroy pants (trousers) and shirts.

Contract bridge expert Ely Culbertson visited the Tacoma Bridge Club on May 1, 1936, at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Culbertson is standing directly in front of the hanging framed picture. He was nearly 45 at the time and had been a key figure in the international popularization of contract bridge in the 1920s and 1930s. Photographer Chapin Bowen was present during this visit; he is standing far left. TPL-6687

This assembled crew helped to build the new American Legion hall in Yelm in November of 1923. American Legion members had raised the flag on the new flagpole planted on the building site. (see B8864 & B8865) The American Legion was then a fairly new veterans organization as it was founded in Paris in March of 1919 and then chartered by the U.S. Congress in September of the same year. The Yelm post had 27 active members situated in this small town of about 600 people. Their new hall was built in a single day (foundation being prepared the week before) with help from other American Legion posts and the Yelm community. The hall was on three acres of donated land from the McKenna Mill Co. There was virtually no cost to legion members as various companies donated their time and expertise to this veterans organization. More than 500 workers participated in the event, including 150 members of the building trades union from Olympia. G23.1-049 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-11-23, 8-E-article; TDL 11-12-23, p. 1-article)

American Legion (Yelm); Patriotic societies--Yelm; Veterans organizations--Yelm; Building construction--Yelm;

Rotary club members presented two productions of "Deestrik Skule," the first at Immanual Presbyterian Church on November 23, 1923, and another performance at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on December 6th. G23.1-137; G64.1-036

Rotary Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Comedies; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The 6th Avenue Business Men's Improvement Club enjoyed a banquet on March 3, 1925. Group portrait also included dining room staff. Among matters being discussed, arrangements were made for a big parade, celebration and dance to mark the opening of the new Central Bank at 6th & Pine. The business district between Sprague and Cedar has grown extensively in just a few years. G31.1-095 (TNT 3-4-25, p. 13-article; TNT 3-5-25, p. 6)

6th Avenue Business Men's Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clubs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Commercial organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

George C. Cabell, Supreme Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, raised the American flag on Alta Vista in Mount Tacoma's Rainier National Park on August 30, 1922. Founded in 1864, the Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter from the United States Congress. Col. Cabell, of Norfolk, Virginia, was the national head of the organization. He had been making a tour of the West and was the guest of the Tacoma Pythians on August 29-30th. The Tacoma Lodge held their annual sunrise services on Alta Vista where 25 Pythians plus Col. Cabell were present. Col. Cabell also officiated at the dedication of a permanent steel flagpole and flag raising at that time. (TDL 8-29-22, p. 3-article; TDL 8-30-22, p. 5-article)

Cabell, George C.; Knights of Pythias; Flags--United States; Flagpoles; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);