Breezes cause the ribbons and train of Erin Lombard, Annie Wright Seminary's 1953 Queen of May, to ripple gently as she poses with Headmistress Ruth Jenkins on May 9, 1953. Each year a senior is honored by the Seminary at the May Day festivities. Miss Lombard hails from the Yakima area and is the daughter of the Harry Lombards, Jr. A special guest at the event was the presence of her grandmother, the former Aimee Porter, who graduated from Annie Wright sixty years before. (TNT 5-17-53, D-1)

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

Annie Wright Seminary had a large Lower School in the 1950's. Most students would attend school functions such as the annual May Day festival and probably perform in some capacity. Here a group of nineteen little girls smile happily, and in some cases shyly, for the camera. They may have been dressed to participate in a program of modern dance which was presented before the Queen and her court.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Group portraits; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The May Queen and her court. Queen Erin Lombard is surrounded by the 26 members of her senior class, maid of honor Marilyn Wotton, flag bearer Eleanor Walker, and numerous kindergarten attendants as she reigns over the 1953 May Day festivities. Positioned on the giant steps in front of ivy-covered halls of Annie Wright Seminary, Queen Erin is seated on a flower bedecked rattan chair, her long train cascading down in front of her. The entire school would be present to honor the May Queen as well as alumnae and friends. It would be the final farewell to the school before graduation for the senior class and queen. (TNT 5-3-53, D-2, TNT 5-17-53, D-1, The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 45)

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

Although Annie Wright Seminary was a girls' school, little boys were allowed to attend the K-4 and K-5 classes. Here they participated with the girls in various pre-school and kindergarten activities like taking field trips to Point Defiance Zoo and riding the train to Olympia, building a creche for Christmas, marching in Easter and Halloween parades, and creating their own "made-up" dances and songs. The entire school would also participate in special events, such as the May Day festival, to honor the May Queen and her court. These 22 children were probably dressed to perform in a program of modern dance under the direction of Nancy Jane Bare. (The Shield yearbook, 1953, p. 31)

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

Putting their best foot forward are thirteen young students from the Annie Wright Seminary. Dressed in seemingly patriotic colors, the little girls are all holding hands as they pose on the spacious grounds of the private school. The picture was taken on May 9, 1953, the occasion of May Day festivities, so the children may have been getting ready to put on a performance in front of the Queen, her court, alumnae and other guests.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

ca. 1954. This large brick Tudor/Gothic structure is believed to be the library on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland. Two students are perched reading on the low brick wall next to the front steps. Pacific Lutheran had undergone great expansion of both facilities and student enrollment in the late forties and early fifties.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings;

Two Pacific Lutheran College students and Professor Robert C. Olsen appear to be observing a chemistry experiment in a May 30, 1954, photograph. An elements chart is placed above the blackboard on the wall behind the students.

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Chemistry--Parkland; Olsen, Robert C.;

A group portrait of the elegantly dressed Pacific Lutheran College Chorus on stage was taken on April 1, 1954. The men are dressed in tuxedos while the women are wearing floor length evening gowns. In the center of the photograph at the piano is the conductor, Professor R. Byard Fritts. The 70 member choir was well known for their beautiful voices and performed often with appearances in the Christmas Concert, Capitol rotunda in Olympia, Omnibus of the Arts, Drama-Music Festival, and the Commencement Recital. (The Saga, 1954, p. 85)

Group portraits; Choirs (Music); Evening gowns--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Fritts, R. Byard;

Lincoln High School band for the 1954 school yearbook The Lincolnian. The band, under the direction of Robert Dezell, played at basketball and football games. They played concerts at the middle schools and broadcast two performances on KMO. The highlight of their year was their "Bach to Pop" concert in March. (1954 Lincolnian- see yearbook for names)

Bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Youth bands--Tacoma--1950-1960; Band uniforms--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

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. The 47 piece Pacific Lutheran College Band, attired in their black and gold uniforms and photographed with their instruments in the Band Room of the Music/Chapel Building. The band was under the direction of Dr. Robert Larson. The band played at all football games as well as performing a number of concerts throughout the year. They played the last concert of the three day Omnibus of Arts, the student cultural festival, with the PLC chorus on the Parkland campus. (1954 PLC yearbook "The Saga," TNT 2/21/1954, pg. D-7- see yearbook for names)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Marching bands; Bands--Parkland--1950-1960;

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);

Pacific Lutheran College "Choir of the West" with Professor Gunnar J. Malmin, Director of Music and Choir of the West Conductor. The choir wears traditional robes with a monogrammed stole. The Choir of the West toured the area and performed on the radio. They sang a classical repertoire. Prof. Malmin took over as director of the choir in 1937. He was noted for his work with religious music. (1954 PLC yearbook, The Saga- see yearbook for names)

Choirs (Music); Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Conductors; Malmin, Gunnar J.; Choir of the West (Parkland);

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;