Annie Wright Seminary senior Erin Lombard was chosen the 1953 Queen of May. She has evidently been crowned as she is already wearing her tiara. She is flanked by two beaming kindergarteners in white who were possibly herald and crown bearers. May Day festivities were well attended by alumnae, students and friends. Activities were held both on the seminary lawns and within the school buildings.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lombard, Erin;

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);

Annie Wright Seminary for yearbook "The Shield." Four young boys seated at table with small bottles of milk. Three older girl students stand behind group in this photograph dated January 25, 1953.

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Getting ready for the April 23, 1954 Horace Mann PTA-Preschool carnival with a "Big Top" theme were: (left to right) Mrs. Albert Michel, PTA president; James Gibson, teacher and PTA school coordinator; Mrs. Charles Ayler, preschool president and seated in back, Mrs. A.C. Anderson, general carnival chairperson. The group posed with carousel horses from the B&I Sales. (TNT4-21-1954, B-7)

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Michel, Albert--Family; Gibson, James; Ayler, Charles--Family; Anderson, A.C.--Family; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma; B&I Circus Store ;

ca. 1954. Dupont School basketball team. DuPont is a community southwest of Steilacoom between Fort Lewis and the Nisqually Reach in northwest Pierce County. It is on the site of Fort Nisqually, a Hudson's Bay trading post, but was named for E. I. du Pont de Nemours Company, a manufacturing leader in explosives. It was, in the beginning, a company town peopled by those who worked in its factories. By the 1950's, Dupont district drew 95% of its students from Ft. Lewis. This appears to be the school's younger team, attired in uniforms and team jackets.

School children--Dupont; Dupont School (Dupont); Basketball players--Dupont; Basketball--Dupont;

ca. 1954. Dupont School basketball team. This appears to be the school's varsity team. The boys are dressed in team uniforms topped by school jackets. In the 50's, Dupont schools offered grades K-9; students attended Clover Park High School for their last three years of study. The boy kneeling 4th from left has been identified as Scott Drysdale and the one next to the manager as John Sparks. (information provided by a schoolmate)

School children--Dupont; Dupont School (Dupont); Basketball players--Dupont; Basketball--Dupont;

Annie Wright Seminary, group photograph around school for annual. Members of T.A.S.C. (The Athletic Service Club) for the 1954 school yearbook. The girls are dressed in white blouses with a Peter Pan collar, dark shirts and sweaters with AWS emblem and saddle shoes. They also wear a beanie on their heads. (1954 yearbook "The Shield" - see yearbook for names.)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Annie Wright Seminary, Junior class play for the yearbook "The Shield." For their theatrical production, the AWS juniors presented Jean Cocteau's version of the Sophocles play "Antigone." "Antigone" is the story of a young girl who defies her uncle, the King, to bury the remains of her brother. The lead roles of Antigone and Ismene were played by Heather Spence and Dorthea Weiss. The play was produced on Saturday at 8:30p.m. in Keator Hall. The main characters can be seen standing in the center of what may be the curtain call, flanked by chorus members and sword carriers. (TNT 2/10/1954, pg. 3, 1954 AWS yearbook, The Shield)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Greece;

Annie Wright Seminary. Annual Freshman-Sophomore Student dance. One of the highlights for the underclassmen was the annual hop hosted by the younger girls for the Junior and Senior class. The theme for the 1954 dance was "The New Yorker." Here, young ladies in evening gowns wearing top hats and carrying canes get ready to perform a song and dance routine for the entertainment of the other party goers.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Annie Wright Seminary, Junior class play for the yearbook "The Shield." The Juniors presented French playwright Jean Cocteau's version of Sophocles play "Antigone." In the play, a headstrong and young Antigone defies her uncle, the King, to bury the remains of her brother. The lead roles were played by Heather Spence and Dorthea Weiss. (TNT 2/10/1954, pg. 3, 1954 AWS yearbook The Shield)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Greece;

Sherman Elementary School construction for Robert B. Price, architect. Sherman was originally built in 1891 at N. 38th & M St. and named for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Civil War Union Army general. It was overcrowded as soon as it opened. In January of 1953, plans were revealed for a new $500,000 one story structure. The old school was demolished to make room for playgrounds. The new Sherman had 20 classrooms, a lunchroom, auditorium, library and two outside play courts. Skylights, plastic sky domes and natural brick lightened the halls and classrooms. The school was dedicated in November of 1954. This school was demolished in 1998 to make way for Sherman #3. ("For the Record" by Winnifred Olsen)

Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sherman School (Tacoma);

St. Joseph School of Nursing, lounge at the Nurses' Home. The brick Gothic was built in 1891 and demolished in 1976. The building originally served as the hospital and later as the School of Nursing. The School closed in 1971. The room has bold wallpaper and is decorated for Christmas with a tree and presents.

St. Joseph's Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma); St. Joseph's Hospital Nurses Home (Tacoma);

Horace Mann Elementary multi purpose room. This new school, dedicated in 1953, replaced the original four room school built in 1901 and its additions. The unusual design featured a continuous suspended fiberglass skylight that provided natural light in the hallways. The building has 21 classrooms, a library, health room, lunchroom and kitchen, special services room, and this large all purpose room and auditorium.

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Horace Mann Elementary classroom. The new school, dedicated in 1953, was named after noted American educator Horace Mann. He revolutionized public school organization and established the first normal school for teacher training in 1839 and was a US Representative for 10 years. The new school had 21 classrooms. They were equipped with new adjustable school desks that accommodated the physical stature of each individual student. Tops could also be tilted for art class.

Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sherman Elementary School construction for Robert B. Price, architect. Sherman was originally built in 1891 at N. 38th & M St. and named for William Tecumseh Sherman, a Civil War Union Army general. It was overcrowded as soon as it opened. In January of 1953, plans were revealed for a new $500,000 one story structure. The old school was demolished to make room for playgrounds. The new Sherman had 20 classrooms, a lunchroom, auditorium, library and two outside play courts. Skylights, plastic sky domes and natural brick lightened the halls and classrooms. The school was dedicated in November of 1954. This school was demolished in 1998 to make way for Sherman #3. ("For the Record" by Winnifred Olsen)

Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sherman School (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary; classroom with teacher and girls in uniform. Miss Avalon, Annie Wright instructor of English and civilization, speaks to her upper level students. The girls sit at wooden desks and are dressed in blouses with Peter Pan collars, sweaters with the AWS emblem and saddle shoes. The classes are small, this one has only nine students.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma;

Annie Wright Seminary. Students and teacher in chemistry lab. Upper level students prepare to cook up an experiment with the assistance of their teacher Miss McKay. Miss McKay was the Annie Wright instructor of science and mathematics. (The Shield, 1954 issue)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma;

ca. 1953. Dupont School- School patrol. As the waves of post WWII babies entered public school, the schools begin to bulge at the seams. School enrollment in 1953 was the highest ever and Dupont School District #7 had 2 new schools; one at Ft. Lewis and one in the Dupont community, west of Hwy. 99. The Dupont school opened Sept. 29, 1953 with a new cafeteria and a lunch room and multipurpose room that doubled as a playroom and auditorium. The classrooms had blond wood and pastel colors. The school patrol includes both boys and girls, caucasian and African American.

School children--Dupont; Dupont School Patrol (Dupont);

Group picture Tacoma Vocational School: class of RN teachers. Tacoma Vocational-Technical School held a workshop conference for directors and instructors of practical nursing schools in the state of Washington Nov. 10-13, 1953. More than 50 representatives from the field of practical nurse education participated. Speakers were Miss Adelaide Mayo, MA and Miss Ella Thompson, BS, from the National Association for Practical Nurse Education in New York. (TNT 11/8/1953, pg. C-14) TPL-6458

Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma; Nursing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Gault Junior High "Nonettes" and their accompanist, dressed in strapless evening gowns with chiffon or net stoles, gather around a piano to practice for the Gault PTA Talent Parade, which was held on November 20, 1953. The talent show gave all the music groups at Gault an opportunity to display their talents. The concert was followed by carnival activities throughout the school: a white elephant grab bag and candy, punch, plant, fancywork and food booths. The "Nonettes" were in no particular order: Sarah Gislason, Barbara Smith, Carole Kestner, Jane Ciro, Pat Bekemans, Fay Sampson, Roberta Robinson, Virginia Lindstrom and Margaret Vimont; they were accompanied on the piano by Julia Beadell. (Photo ordered by the Gault School Carnival Committee.) (TNT 11/19/1953, pg. C-7)

Public schools--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gault Junior High School (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Choirs (Music); Music festivals--Tacoma;

Main entrance at Annie Wright Seminary; four children pose against a colorful backdrop for the Christmas Carnival, photo ordered by the TNT. The carnival was held on December 3rd from 12-4 at Keator Hall on the AWS campus. The general theme of the carnival, sponsored by the Mothers Club, was "Christmas Melodies." In keeping with the theme, booths were designed to represent popular holiday songs. Christmas trinkets and decorations, made by students and parents, were sold at the booths to raise money to benefit the school's library. Students posed are, left to right, Daniel Kelley, Jenny Lind Walker, Sue Marie Lynn and Barbara Huff. (TNT 11/29/1953, pg. D-4)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kelley, Daniel; Walker, Jenny Lind; Lynn, Sue Marie; Huff, Barbara;

Stanley Elementary School was busy with many end of the year activities, clubs, classes and festivals were wrapping up the 1947-1948 school year. Exterior view of Stanley Elementary School building, Class 6A group photo. Students are ready and excited for their upcoming summer break.

School children--Tacoma; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma);

Stanley Elementary School was busy with many end of the year activities, clubs, classes and festivals were wrapping up the 1947-1948 school year. Exterior view of Stanley Elementary School building, Class 6A group photo. Students are ready and excited for their upcoming summer break.

School children--Tacoma; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma);

View of Gray Junior High School orchestra, thirty nine students are standing outside of their school building with their instruments. The Gray Junior High Orchestra would play at the graduation ceremonies, which would take place outside.

Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; School children--Tacoma; Youth orchestras--Tacoma; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma);

View of Stanley Elementary School's Principal Thune at his desk, end of the year school photos. Stanley elementary was getting ready to end the 1947-1948 school year, the school would have sixth grade graduations and end of the year activities. The Stanley PTA was helping plan this year's festivities.

School principals--Tacoma; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma; Desks; Thune, Elmer T.; Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, children are dressed as the royal attendants for the 1948 May Queen. Marilyn Meyer, daughter of Fred J. and Florence Meyer, of Tacoma would be crowned the May Queen of Annie Wright Seminary. These children would present her with her scepter and her crown. The May Day festival would also have a traditional May Pole dance. From L to R: Ruth McLeod, Gretchen Collins, Barbara McBride, Jane Weyerhaeuser, Mitzie Weiss,Barbara Benson, Karen Ramsted, Robin Cunningham (T. Times, 5/12/48, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary was having a full day of activities, including their annual banquet hosted by the Athletic Association, a theatrical production featuring many of the classes, and the crowning of the May Queen. View of Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, school children are dressed as bunnies for "The King and the Piper" production. The younger children at Annie Wright would be dressed a animals and creatures (T. Times, 5/12/47, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

In May of 1948, the Fife High School held their annual Junior and Senior Dinner Dance at the Winthrop Hotel's Wedgewood Room. View of Viletta Steele, in her beautiful spring formal, dancing with Harold Watrin. Students admiring the dancing couple are, left to right, Stanton Schack, Eugene Rowan, Jim Saugan, Clinton Nell, Arnold Riveness and Gene Matson (T.N.T., 5/13/48, p. 21).

Public schools--Fife; Students--Fife; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Fife High School (Fife); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Panhellenic Tea at Great Hall, Annie Wright, News Tribune, Mrs. Hosmer. The Tacoma Panhellenic honored graduating senior high school girls and their mothers at their annual tea on April 24, 1948, at the Great Hall at Annie Wright. The program consisted of talks by Miss Maxine Blake and Miss Jacquine Norback about college life from the student's view point. Lona Huseby played Chopin and Debussy on the piano. The Clover Park choir sang. This view shows four women wearing corsages in front of one of the fireplaces in the Great Hall. (T.Times, 4/22/1948, p.10)

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Panhellenic Committee (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tea parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Special order for special edition, Studio, by Tacoma Times, George Beckingham. A view of the new building under construction at the Tacoma Vocational School including the building already existing at 710 So. 11th St. The first building was built in 1941 on the east side of the campus. Earnest T. Mock, architect, and Dolph Jones, contractor. TPL-6456

Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;