The Tacoma Drama League would be presenting the melodrama "East Lynne" Nov. 6th & 7th, 1936. It would be directed by Claude Brennan, who in his acting days has played every male role in the play.

Drama Clubs -- Tacoma; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Theatrical Productions--Tacoma;

Drama League. Cast of "I'll Leave It To You" on stage at Tacoma Little Theatre. The players are costumed as native Americans and settlers. From 1933 through 1939 the Tacoma Little Theater productions were presented on the stage of the Slavonian Hall at 2306 No. 30th St. In 1940 they moved to their current home at 210-12 No. I St.

Drama Clubs -- Tacoma; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Theatrical Productions--Tacoma;

Undated photograph of the Matrons Club. The woman seated front left is Helen Beck Stafford, one of the founders of the group. Dr. Stafford moved to Tacoma in 1926 to marry Wendell P. Stafford on New Years Eve. Even though she had taught for a few years in Kansas schools, Tacoma school personnel directors refused to hire a black teacher. She stayed at home and cared for her husband and daughter. She and several other women who stayed home to rear their children would get together for a social outlet. In 1927, they formally organized the Matrons Club. The women who attended the meetings often brought their children along and the children would play together. (TNT 2/22/1982- NWR clipping file) (photograph by Liberal Engraving Co., 907 1/2 Commerce)

Julia C. Williams Orthopedic Guild square dance committee. The trio were planning the annual square dance called "Roundup Daze" to be held June 30,1956 at the Tacoma Armory. Proceeds from the $.75 admission would go to the Mary Bridge Childrens' Hospital. The poster entreats "We invite you to dance- and help some child to walk." The dance would feature decorations inspired by dude ranches. Pictured, left to right, are Curt Taylor, Master of Ceremonies, Patricia (Mrs. Gordon E. ) Brooks, dance chairman, and Mrs. Bernard C. Crowell, guild president. (TNT 6/28/1956, pg. C-10)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Julia Williams Orthopedic Guild (Tacoma); Taylor, Curt; Brooks, Patricia;

Elks Salmon Bake and water show. A long queue of people await their turns at the buffet table. The table is set up on a beach. The highlight of the 1956 Elks annual state convention, held in Tacoma, was the Saturday salmon bake. Ten native Americans, headed by Mrs. Mattie Matheson, baked 1,000 pounds of salmon over a beach fire. Five Indian dancers, led by Chief Rainbow aka Bill Young, performed. The Tacoma Outboard Association provided the water show with boats in intricate formations and water skiing maneuvers. The climax of the show was when all of the pleasure boats roared up onto the beach at 35 miles per hour. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma;

In June of 1956 six unidentified Elks members wearing sailors' hats, union suits and garters performed a 1950s version of the "Full Monty" as part of the entertainment at the Elks convention banquet. Over 3,000 Elks and their wives were in Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention held June 14- 16, 1956. The convention host, Tacoma's Lodge #174, was the third largest in the nation with 5,600 members. Statewide, the fraternal organization had 56,000 members. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Back view of a skit performed for the Elks Banquet. The Elk members appear in long johns, sailor hats, black socks and shoes; dancing with feather fans. The backs of their union suits are emblazoned with numbers or the words city and lake. They are using the fans as a modest covering for their, or others, privates. For the first time in 30 years, 3,000 Washington state Elks and their wives descended on Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention June 14-16. Lots of social and business activities, plus some high-jinks were planned for their three day stay. Although the Elks were noted for their ability to have a good time, they also funded much needed social projects, such as mobile cerebral palsy treatment and training, the blood banks, traffic safety and civil defense. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Y.M.B.C. Narrows Bridge Committee. Club members may have looked deep into their closets to find the variety of hats worn in this June 25, 1940, photograph. Ten-gallon, sombreros, top hats and skipper's caps are worn jauntily by the Young Men's Business Club. Each year they held a Water Carnival at Point Defiance; in 1940, the date of the carnival was set for Sunday, June 30th, the day before the grand opening of the first Narrows Bridge and several days before the opening of the nation's newest airbase, McChord Flying Field. The Y.M.B.C. was a service organization who was heavily involved in community affairs; they would also sponsor the last ferry ride on the Kalakala, July 2nd, which would carry nearly 1400 people over the two routes to be discontinued by the opening of the Narrows Bridge. (TNT 6-28-40, p. 21)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

Young Men's Business Club, Narrows Bridge Committee. Group of men wearing celebration hats gathered around table in office decorated with a multitude of signs on June 25, 1940. They are probably finalizing plans for both the club's annual Water Carnival, held at Point Defiance, and their participation in opening day festivities of the first Narrows Bridge. Cups and plaques on display are to be awarded to the winners in the various events. Names of men pictured are listed in the News Tribune on June 28, 1940; seated third from right is club president Frank Gillihan. (TNT 6-28-40, p. 21)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Gillihan, Frank J.;

Mount Rainier Council's seventh annual Scout Jamboree, held in the College of Puget Sound's Fieldhouse May 4-5, 1956, included more than 100 colorful booths staffed by Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. One particular exhibit featured Scouts posing in uniform with a sombrero-clad donkey in front of a wall decorated with Boys Life magazines. Boys Life is a periodical published by the Boy Scouts. The Jamboree also had demonstrations of scouting skills presented by various Pierce County troops. Over 5,000 area scouts were in attendance. Ticket sale proceeds aided 138 Boy Scout and Explorer troops to purchase camping equipment, 88 Cub Scout troops to purchase equipment and training materials and the development of Camp Hahobas on Kitsap Peninsula, an overnight scout camp. (TNT 5/2/1956, pg. A-4-article; TNT 5-5-56, p. 9-article)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Uniforms; Donkeys; Sombreros; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scout Jamboree, ordered by Ed Richards. A pack leader poses with his group. They are garbed in Native American regalia, probably to appear in a demonstration. These boys appear to be older and are probably Boy Scouts not Cub Scouts. Scouts involved in the annual Scout Exposition at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse May 4-5, 1956 were between the ages of 10 and 16. Various troops from Pierce County would be performing demonstrations. Lincoln, Lakes and Southeast demonstrations would be on Friday and Northwest, Peninsula and Valley Mountain would perform on Saturday. Demonstrations would include knot-tying, first aid, canoe building, marksmanship and leather craft. (TNT 5/2/1956, pg. A-4)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Costumes;

In May of 1940, Ruth Babbit was photographed swinging into the spring golfing season at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Every Tuesday was Ladies' Day at the Club, and over 50 female members took the opportunity to practice their follow through on the links. Ruth Kennedy Babbit was the wife of Alexander Babbit, then assistant manager of the Bank of California National Association. Mrs. Babbit also excelled in figure skating, later becoming an international skating judge, and was a well known water color artist. She passed away on August 31, 1992, at the age of 89. (T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5; TNT 9-2-92, B-4-obituary)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Babbit, Ruth Kennedy; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Every Tuesday in May of 1940 was Ladies' Day at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Teeing up on the practice green in front of the Clubhouse are, left to right, Mrs. Thomas Curran, Mrs. Harry Andrews, Mrs. O.A. Tucker, Mrs. Lowell T. Murray, Mrs. Fred Davis, Mrs. Charles Peterson and Mrs. Henry Foss. ( T. Times 5/18/1940, pg. 5- photograph reversed in paper)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

National Conference of Junior League Women at Mount Rainier. Three women standing by a waterfall. At center is Mrs. Camille J. Pessemier and Mrs. Joseph Dingess of Huntington, West Virginia is at far right. They were part of a group of conference attendees who lunched at Paradise Inn in May of 1940. (T. Times 5-25-1940, p. 5-various photographs) [See also D9698-1 and D9698-4)

Junior League (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Dingess, Joseph--Family; Pessemier, Camille--Family;

May, 1940, National Conference of Junior League Women at Mount Rainier. Six women standing in front of tourist telescope on the Paradise Inn's observation porch looking over rail fence. Included in the group were Lucy Danforth of Buffalo, N.Y., Mrs. C.R. Collins, Jr., Mrs. Ralph Appleton of Columbus, Ohio, Mary Lacy Porter of St. Joseph, MO, Mrs. W. Grant Hellar and Mrs. L. Donald Fisher. Miss Connie Rie (Cornelia Marie) Cardin, president of the Tacoma Junior League, had taken a party of delegates to lunch at the rustic Paradise Inn. [See also D9698-1 and D9698-4]

Junior League (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paradise Inn (Wash.); Telescopes;

Publicity photograph for the Neva Lyness Orthopedic Guild's "Fanfare" Dance. Co-chairmen Mrs. Robert Lynch and Diane (Mrs. Chris) Turlis put the finishing touches on flowering branches that will be used, along with lanterns and fans, as decorations for the dance to be held August 1st at the Towers. Colorful fans and champagne would be given as party favors. All proceeds from the dance will go to the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The Orthopedic Guilds were instrumental in the establishment of Mary Bridge and funded part of its ongoing operation costs. (TNT 5/29/1956, pg. 9)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Neva Lyness Guild (Tacoma); Fans; Flowers; Turlis, Diane;

Junior League Executive Board at home of Mrs. Stanley Staatz in May, 1940. Portrait of group of women in the Staatz' Sumner Heights garden. Those present included Mrs. Charles B. Hurley, past president, Mrs. Charles Fogg, Mrs. John Wood, Jr., Mrs. Elbert Hall Baker, II, Mrs. Gershom Rowland and Mrs. C.R. Collins, Jr. Other names are listed in the Tacoma Times' May 8, 1940, edition. (T. Times, 5-8-40, p. 11) [See also D9770-4 and D9770-10]

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

Junior League Executive Board meeting on May 7, 1940, at the Sumner Heights home of Mrs. Stanley Staatz. Portrait of Connie Rie (Cornelia Marie) Cardin, President, in the Staatz' gardens. Miss Cardin presided over her first meeting since her election as president. She presented an outline of plans for the upcoming American Junior League Association national conference in Seattle. (T. Times, 5-8-40, p. 11) [See also D9770-4 and D9770-10]

Junior League (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cardin, Cornelia Marie;

Seven members of the Spinsters Club met on April 23, 1940, to finalize plans for the second annual Dixie Ball to be held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on Saturday, May 11, 1940. The Old South of "Dixie Land" was the ball's theme. Backdrops would include river steamers and cotton fields. The black servant dolls shown above would be used to hold table reservation cards. Seated on the floor were Susan Simpson and Valdene Hazelton (left to right). In the background were from left, general chairman of the ball Jane Allstrom, Nan Weber, Doris Nisonger, Lea Mills and Roberta Walker. (T.Times 4-27-40, p. 4)

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Committees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Simpson, Susan; Hazelton, Valdene; Allstrom, Jane; Weber, Nan; Nisonger, Doris; Mills, Lea; Walker, Roberta; Dolls;

Spinster Club Dixie Ball committee. Seven young women gathered in living room around poster announcing the Second Annual Dixie Ball occurring on May 11th at the Crystal Ballroom in the Winthrop Hotel. This was an eagerly awaited event for Tacoma's young set in the spring of 1940. From left to right are Valdene Hazelton, general chairman of the dance Jane Allstrom, Lea Mills, Susan Simpson, Doris Nisonger, Roberta Walker and Nan Weber. (T.Times 4-27-40, p. 4-alt. photograph)

Spinsters Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Hazelton, Valdene; Allstrom, Jane; Mills, Lea; Simpson, Susan; Nisonger, Doris; Walker, Roberta; Weber, Nan;

Junior Women's Club Hobby Show at the Winthrop Hotel. Club members inspected the merchandise on display which included neckties, vases, woven fabrics and a basket. They were there to attend the annual dinner and hobby show of the club which was held in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom on April 12, 1940. From left to right are: Sally Sicade, Mrs. William Bottcher, Mrs. Philip Farmer, Mrs. Plummer York, Mrs. H.E. Craven and Mrs. Marion Edwards. (T.Times 4-20-40, p. 4)

Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sicade, Sally; Bottcher, William--Family; Farmer, Philip--Family; York, Plummer--Family; Craven, Helen; Edwards, Marion--Family

In January of 1956 Joan Oliver, Janet Shull and Esther Gerald (far right) were already calculating how many boxes of chocolates they could sell during the 8th annual Tacoma Camp Fire and Blue Bird Girls "Candy Mint Sale". The sale ran to February 22, and proceeds went to the development and operations fund for Camp Wakoma. Prizes were awarded to the Camp Fire Girls who sold the most boxes, including an all-expense overnight stay at Camp Wakoma. It is still a tradition for Camp Fire Girls to sell mints. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-29-56, D-6)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gerald, Esther; Oliver, Joan; Shull, Janet; Blackboards;

Twins Melody and Carol Steen, members of the Sheridan School Camp Fire Girls unit, were supplied in January of 1956 with boxes of mints for the eighth annual club fund raiser. The girls sold boxes of candy throughout the month of February. Although most of the sale proceeds went to the development and operations fund for Camp Wakoma, 5 cents from each box went to the local club units.( Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls.) (TNT 1-29-56, D-6, TNT 2-12-56, C-1)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steen, Melody; Steen, Carol;

Howard Goold, Tacoma Public Schools superintendent, accepts a $1000 check from George Childs, auditor for the Young Men's Business Club, on March 25, 1940 at Central School. The check was for funds raised by the YMBC and Tacoma public schools to send 40 selected musicians to the National Music Educators Music Festival in Los Angeles March 30-April 6th. From left to right are: George Childs (seated); Louis Wersen, supervisor of music for Tacoma schools; Superintendent Howard Goold and Milt J. Evans, chrm. of the YMBC "On to Los Angeles" committee. (T.Times 3-27-1940, p. 1-cropped photograph; TNT 3-27-1940, p. 1-alt. photo)

Young Men's Business Club (Tacoma); Shaking hands--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Checks; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Goold, Howard R., 1886-1971; Wersen, Louis; Childs, George F.; Evans, Milton J.;

Formally attired young folk at a dinner-dance held at the Tacoma Club on March 9, 1940. This was the first of Tacoma Club's formal dinner dances during the 1940 season. The event was held in the club rooms at the top of the Washington Building. President of the Tacoma Club was H.A. Christofferson. (T.Times 3-16-1940, p. 4-different photo, same series)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Teenagers--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tuxedoes;

Matthew Fontana received a visit from two of his boyhood friends on January 5, 1956, Pat (left) and Mike McMurtry, while he was confined to his hospital bed at Pierce County Hospital. Fontana had contracted spino-bulbar polio, and had been at the hospital since Sept. of 1955. The McMurtry brothers were in town for the 8th Annual Tacoma Golden Gloves Tournament, scheduled to be held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Looking on are Frank Gillihan, Pierce County campaign director for the March of Dimes and co-chairman of the Golden Gloves, and Pat Steele (far right), sports chairman for the March of Dimes. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; March of Dimes (Tacoma); National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); Poliomyelitis--Tacoma; McMurtry, Pat; McMurtry, Mike; Gillihan, Frank J.; Steele, Patrick;

Each year in November the Last Man Club of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 met for a reunion banquet. Fifteen members were photographed on November 11, 1955; in front of them are flags draped over ten chairs, to honor deceased commanders. The 1955 reunion, the 18th, was held at the Olympus Hotel.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Five women, dressed in Hawaiian attire with fresh flower leis, pose before a Polynesian backdrop in late October of 1955. Mrs. Swan Johnson, Mrs. Norbert E. Grove, Mrs. Ray Magnuson, Jeanne (Mrs. Jack) Walters and Grace (Mrs. William E.) Bysegger (from left) were preparing for the Tacoma Elks Lodge's annual luau. Native dishes of poi and kalua pig would be served on November 10 and 11th, accompanied by Hawaiian music and decorations. Their spouses were officials of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. William Bysegger was the exalted ruler of the Tacoma Lodge No. 174. (TNT 11-6-55, D-3)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Leis; Johnson, Swan--Family; Grove, Norbert--Family; Magnuson, Ray--Family; Walters, Jeanne; Bysegger, Grace;

Pi Beta Phi alumnae pose for a publicity picture on October 26, 1955, at the home of Audrey (Mrs. Stanley) King. Mrs. Dean Hackett, Mrs. King, and Mrs. Robert Pauley, members of the Inez Smith Soule Alumnae Club, display handicrafts of a handmade broom, baby clothing, basket, toy, ceramic doll and place mat. These items were made in the Appalachian region and would be sold at the annual Settlement School tea and proceeds then forwarded to the Gatlinburg, Tennessee school, to help maintain the school in that remote region. (TNT 10-30-55, D-3)

Pi Beta Phi (Tacoma); Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Handicraft--Tacoma; King, Audrey--Homes & haunts; King, Audrey; Hackett, Dean--Family; Pauley, Robert--Family;