United Daughters of the Confederacy, Dixie Chapter, met at the Gammon residence in Tacoma's North End on January 19, 1924. While many of Tacoma's early settlers were from the Midwest and East Coast, Southerners were also drawn to the area. Dr. Clarence P. Gammon's father, William Gammon, was a partner of Daniel Boone in Kentucky. Mrs. Clarence P. (Mary) Gammon's father, John Winder, served on the staff of General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. TPL-6347; G29.1-035

Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1920-1930; United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of Dixie Chapter (Tacoma); Gammon, Clarence P.--Homes & haunts; Gammon, Clarence P.; Gammon, Mary;

Some Tacoma youngsters celebrated their Southern heritage by attending a birthday party honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee on January 19, 1924 at the home of the C.P. Gammons, 2706 No. Junett. The party was hosted by the Daughters of Dixie chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The children are dressed in their Sunday best with the two girls in the middle sporting costumes complete with lace pantaloons. The girls are, left to right, Janet Baldwin, Madeline Kirk, Eleanor White and "Billy" Austin; the boys are unidentified. (TNT 1/21/1924, pg. 7) G24.1-003

Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1920-1930; United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of Dixie Chapter (Tacoma); Costumes; Baldwin, Janet; Kirk, Madeline; White, Eleanor; Gammon, Clarence P.--Homes & haunts;

This undated photograph featuring the Corner Club Girls rolling down Broadway at 9th Street is most probably of the historical pageant parade presented Labor Day 1934. The costumed lovelies are from Pioneer Days and are festooned in ruffles, bonnets and parasols. The Tacoma Corner Club was formed by Mrs. Percy C. Smith who served as advisor and was fondly referred to as "Mother Smith." The women of the Tacoma Corner Club hosted dinners, dances, plays, took classes in bookkeeping, first aid, shorthand, the Bible, among others, and supported one another. They presented a flag to the State Historical Society in 1933. The original club was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1917. (Additional information provided by a reader)

These solemn youngsters belong to the Daniel Boone schooner Boy Pioneers, a group made up of boys mostly from the Oakland Children's Industrial Home, 3000 So. Washington St. In January of 1926, they are posing at the Y.M.C.A. in Tacoma. The "Y" truck brings them every Saturday afternoon to participate in activities. Top row, left to right, Garnald Roney, Wesley Fellows, Floyd Wells, August Kross and Harold Rinker. Bottom row- Raymond McMann, Moriss Lawrence, Fred Martin, Edward Mitchell, Victor Cappa and Wally Streeter, Pioneer executive. The Boy Pioneers were organized by Dan Beard (1850-1941), American illustrator and naturalist, two years before the Boy Scouts started in England. The Children's Industrial Home was located in the former Harry M. Ball mansion at 3000 South Washington St. and housed children in distress, ages infant to 14. The original structure was damaged in a 1944 explosion and was replaced by a new ranch rambler in 1950. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 1/24/1926, pg. B-3)

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

The womens' auxiliary of the Young Men's Business Club poses with a poster advertising the sale of "Fort Nisqually stamps." The woman seated at the desk in the center also holds up a sheet of the stamps. The proceeds from the sale of the stamps were for the ongoing restoration work at Fort Nisqually. In 1934, just in time for the Fort's 101st birthday, the YMBC achieved a goal it had for many years. They succeeded in moving the Fort from its original location at DuPont to Point Defiance. Restoration proceeded and the Fort had its dedication on Labor Day, Sept. 3, 1934. It was intended, as the poster states, to "help bring the tourist to Tacoma."

An unidentified model takes five and poses on some of the logs being used to restore the historic Fort Nisqually. The restoration of the fort was a project funded and propelled by the Young Mens Business Club of Tacoma. The Fort was moved from its original location near DuPont, rebuilt log by log on a bluff overlooking the sound in Point Defiance Park and opened to the public as a tourist attraction.

These two young women aren't dressed for heavy labor, but they are posing on the site of the ongoing restoration of Fort Nisqually. The young lady on the right of the log is Frankie Cowan and the one on the left is unidentified. They appear to be trying to split the log without great success. Their sunsuits and heels seem better suited to modelling than splitting. In 1934, the Young Mens Business Club of Tacoma succeeded in a goal that they had for many years. They were able to move Fort Nisqually from its original site near DuPont to Point Defiance in Tacoma, restore it and open it as a tourist attraction. The grand dedication for the Fort was September 3, 1934. TPL-8018

This is one way to open a tourist attraction, with bathing beauties catching some rays on the rooftop. In 1934, the Young Mens Business Club of Tacoma succeeded in reaching a goal they had for many years. They moved Fort Nisqually from DuPont, restored it at a new location at Point Defiance and opened it as a tourist attraction. The dedication for the restored historical fort was September 3, 1934. Here Frankie Cowan, on the ladder, and another unidentified young lady pose on the roof on one of the structures at the Fort.

Tacoma Sculpturing Club. Flanking instructor Karl Evers in this photograph dated July 22, 1940 are newly elected officers of the Tacoma Sculpturing Club (left to right) Mrs. Walter A. Heath, president; Mrs. Robert G. Hoffer, publicity chairman and Mrs. Merle E. Morford, librarian. Mr. Evers is displaying the life mask of Mrs. Heath's daughter, Helen, while giving pointers to his students. Club members meet five days a week for classes at Bryant School. The Tacoma Sculpturing Club was formed in late spring of 1939. (T. Times 7/25/1940 p.8- alt. photo)

Tacoma Sculpturing Club (Tacoma); Sculpture--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evers, Karl; Heath, Walter A.--Family; Hoffer, Robert G.--Family; Morford, Merle E.--Family;

The opening of the Javanese Art Exhibit, the fourth exhibit of the winter, given by the Tacoma Art Association at their gallery at the College of Puget Sound. Marietta (Mrs Hunter) Kennard, president of the Tuesday Study Club and president of the Aloha Club 1934-35, stands beside an unusual cut leather sculpture of a Javanese shadow dancer. The Aloha Club sponsored the opening. The exhibit will run until the first of March. (T.Times, 2/22/1936, p. 7).)

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Aloha Club (Tacoma); Kennard, Marietta; Art objects; Art exhibitions;

Javanese Art Exhibit opening, in the Tacoma Art Association gallery at the College of Puget Sound. Ellen (Mrs. Albert H.) Hooker, Jr., member of the Junior League, standing beside a Javanese hand-made puppet. Ellen Hooker, an artist, is widely recognized for her miniature portrait paintings. (T. Times, 2/22/1936, p. 7).

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Aloha Club (Tacoma); Hooker, Ellen; Art objects; Art exhibitions;

The opening of the Javanese Art Exhibit, Tacoma Art Association gallery at the College of Puget Sound. Beatrice Turrell, president of the Aloha Club, and Mrs. A. D. E. Beck, artist, standing in front of quilt/wall hanging. Mrs. Beck is a prominent Northwest artist. The Aloha Club sponsored the exhibit. (T.Times, 2/22/1936, p. 7).

Tacoma Art Association (Tacoma); Aloha Club (Tacoma); Art objects; Art exhibitions; Turrell, Beatrice;

The American Legion Auxiliary unit #138; installation of new officers. Twelve women sit or stand in front of a small stage area with ceremonial wall hangings. The standing group are, left to right, Mrs. Anele Larson, Mrs. Gilbert Hougle, Mrs. Nettie Mae Grisham, Mrs. Wilmer Boyer, Mrs. Howard Zachow, Mrs. John Johnson and Mrs. Karl Thomas. The seated row, left to right: Mrs. Thomas Johnson, Mrs. William Miller, Mrs. Carl W. Kruse, Mrs. Richard Lambert and Mrs. Roy Hincliff. (TNT 7/22/1956, pg. B-3)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Social life--1950-1960; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; American Legion Auxiliary Unit #138 (Tacoma);

Members of the Hunt Club relax on the club house porch for atternoon tea on the day of the horse show: Mrs. Minot Davis, Mrs. J. Fred Kenworthy, Cecilia Schofield, Mrs. James Mathews, Mrs. Frost Snyder, and Iris Bryan. (T. Times, Society).

Organizations - Clubs - Sports Clubs - Riding and Hunt Clubs

ca. 1956. The Camp Fire Girls are gearing up for their annual sale of chocolate mint candies. The candies were manufactured by Brown and Haley in Tacoma. One girls pours the mints from an open box into the waiting hands of the other girl; mints and wrappers spill onto the floor. The girls pose in traditional Camp Fire uniforms, skirts, white shirts with kerchefs and beanies, in front of a heart decoration.

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma;

Posing with their bicycles outside the Lakewood Community Center in September of 1940 were seven Lakewood-area music lovers: (in no particular order) Mrs. R.W. McMahon, Mrs. Bert Sweeting, Mrs. William Panman, Mrs. George Hellyer, Mrs. Brian Shera, Mrs. W.W. Williver and (believed to be) Anne Baker. These ladies were part of a volunteer committee involved in the Tacoma Philharmonic Association membership drive. Several of them were also part of a local music appreciation study group and they used their bicycles to travel to each other's homes for meetings. (T.Times 9-14-40, p. 5)

Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma); Membership campaigns--Lakewood; Bicycles & tricycles--Lakewood;

Seven Lakewood-area ladies chose this way to promote the Tacoma Philharmonic Association's membership drive in September of 1940. Pausing in front of the Lakewood Community Center, 6100 Motor Ave. S.W. with their bicycles are (not in order): Mrs. R.W. McMahon, Mrs. Bert Sweeting, captain of the team Mrs. William Panman, Mrs. George Hellyer, Mrs. Brian Shera, Mrs. W.W. Williver, and (believed to be) Miss Anne Baker. A curious spotted dog has also joined the group.

Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma); Bicycles & tricycles--Lakewood; Membership campaigns--Lakewood;

Publicity photo for the Tacoma Junior Women's Club Christmas dinner dance. The paper mache snowman inspires one woman to break into song, possibly "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty."

Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma;

Members of original Thrift Shop committee at the Junior League Thrift Shop. (T. Times)

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Thrift shops--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Junior League Thrift Shop (Tacoma);

When January, 1957, rolled around, it was time to prepare for the 9th annual Camp Fire Girls candy sale. Thousands of Tacoma homes would be visited by Camp Fire Girls and Blue Birds in a door-to-door campaign extending to February 23rd. Three unidentified girls stopped by the Brown & Haley Co. on January 22nd to pick up boxes of the chocolate mint wafers packed in new slim cases. It was the first time that wafer-thin chocolate-covered mints were offered. Proceeds of the sales went to support the Camp Fire Girls Camp Wakoma. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-27-57, B-15-article)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma;

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;

Two members of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association are shown with papers in hand at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital on February 11, 1957. One woman has her hand on the cover of a recording machine. The walls of the room are painted with a circus motif, including elephants, giraffe, and circus wagon. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Art League sponsored the 17th annual South & West art exhibit in the College of Puget Sound's Jones Hall beginning on April 3, 1957. 64 entries were accepted out of the 204 submitted. Robert Feasley, C.P.S. art instructor, won "Best of Show" for his oil "City Night." First prize in watercolors went to Ruth Babbit for her "Riot." Three men and a woman with corsage are pictured gazing at a framed painting at the art show preview. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Art League. (TT 3-31-57, D-14, TNT 4-7-57, D-14)

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

Woodbrook Hunt Club. Five young women, four holding hunting dogs, posed for portrait in front of fireplace. They are the officers of the newly formed junior organization of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. The girls are, left to right, Diane Corse, Jean Strong, Wendy Wagner, Nancy Griggs and Ann Stickney. (T.Times 1/25/1941, pg. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Hunting dogs; Clubs--Lakewood--1940-1950; Corse, Diane; Strong, Jean; Wagner, Wendy; Griggs, Nancy; Stickney, Ann;

In January of 1941 the Tacoma Spinster Club sponsored a roller skating party at Berg's Roller Bowl at 8006 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. Four Spinster Club members, wearing saddle shoes and steel roller skates fastened with keys, were photographed at the skating party with two of their guests. Pictured left to right are Mary Katherine Hager, Ruth Taylor, Charles D. Mellinger, Wyona Diemer, Catherine Foss and Bill Zeh. The Spinster Club was a social group of prominent young women. (T. Times 1/25/1941, pg. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Skating rinks--Lakewood; Berg's Roller Bowl (Lakewood); Skaters; Roller skating--Lakewood; Diemer, Wyona; Hager, Mary Katherine; Taylor, Ruth; Foss, Catherine; Mellinger, Charles D.; Zeh, Bill;

Opera group at Y.W.C.A. (T. Times)

Young Womens Christian 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;

Tacoma Drama League committee members planning the gala opening night of "Call It A Day" meet in the garden of the home of Mrs. Abner Bergersen. The play by Dodie Smith would be produced at the Tacoma Little Theater March 27-29 and April 3-5, 1941. It would be directed by Marjorie (Mrs. Harry) Cain. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Salem Nourse, Margaret (Mrs. J.W.) Matheson, Mabel (Mrs. Abner) Bergersen and Marion Seymour. (T. Times 3/22/1941, pg. 5)

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Bergersen, Abner R.--Homes & haunts; Matheson, Margaret; Bergersen, Mabel; Seymour, Marion;

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;