–by Jesse Miller The New Yorker Cafe was, throughout its life, a hub to countless events, dinners, conferences, dances and most especially, live music in Tacoma. If you wanted music, this was the place. If you wanted to host an event, this was also the place. The New Yorker Cafe announced its grand opening in the Tacoma News Tribune on October 26th, 1946 following an … Continue reading The New Yorker Cafe: A Tacoma Jazz Legacy
–by Ayli Horvath In 2005, The Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma threw the Candy Cane Ball. It was a night filled with dancing and entertainment. Queens in elaborate makeup and fancy dresses ruled the night. There was a comedian, a raffle, door prizes, and an auction. The Candy Cane Ball was a benefit event for local community services. As grand as this ball sounds, it … Continue reading Tacoma’s Imperial Court
In 1925, a young minister and his wife, Bishop Ernest Frederick and Ollie Morris, arrived in Tacoma from Memphis, Tennessee and started the 3rd African-American church in the Tacoma area. For nearly 15 years, this church carried the name African Full Gospel Church. In 1940, Bishop Morris renamed it to God’s Pentecostal Church to reflect the diversity of its parishioners: whites, blacks, Native Americans and … Continue reading God’s Pentecostal Church Celebrates 100 Years
–by Liza Svyrydovska Can you imagine a person present at every significant occasion in a small city? Somebody who would be there during town meetings, parent teacher conferences, school events, weddings, and even funerals? A string tying these events together is music. Logically the one present at these events would be a musician. Yet, the one I want to introduce to you today is so … Continue reading She Was There: Lucy Stedman Lamson
— by Isabel Robertson Born on April 4, 1884 on the Puyallup Indian Reservation, William Arquette would become an influential musician in Tacoma and surrounding regions. He was a talented multi instrumentalist playing the trombone, trumpet, cornet and sousaphone. William Arquette’s musical journey began at the Cushman Indian School. The school systems were cruel and demoralizing, yet Arquette found joy in the bands on the … Continue reading “Chief” William Arquette (1884-1943)
— by Maliyah Schiff Imagine my disbelief when I found out that not a lot of people know about incredible singer and actress Helen Grayco. Helen was born here in our wonderful city of Tacoma and was already singing by the age of 4. Two years later she became the six-year-old blues singer for Seattle’s KOL radio station. Then at age 8 she got a … Continue reading Helen Grayco – The Lady in Red
— by Mike Goldfine My grandfather, Leo Dobry, loved talking about his racing days. He called them his glory days. By the time I was a young teenager, I could appreciate listening to his stories — both the wins on the track and the close calls. He would often start way back with his midget cars, and then his dirt track racing cars. And then … Continue reading Leo Dobry and the Indy 500
In Episode 3 of Tacoma’s Family Table, host Rose Mattison is joined by former THS managing director Michael Lafreniere and his sister Renee, as they share their family’s version of Tourtière, a French-Canadian meat pie. Jump over to our YouTube channel or click below to watch the episode! Thank you to host Rose Mattison for sharing her time and passion with us! We all have … Continue reading Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 3
In Memory of Charolotte “Polly” MedlockTHS Board EmeritusMurray Morgan AwardOriginal THS MemberMarch 9, 1925 – February 27, 2024 Polly Medlock passed away on February 27, 2024, at the age of 98, less than two weeks before her next birthday. Polly was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Robert Leonard Medlock. Both Polly and Leonard were members of the 1989 group whose discussions and decisions … Continue reading Remembering Polly Medlock
In Episode 2 of Tacoma’s Family Table, we meet Dave Usher and his family, and learn how to make a traditional recipe from his native Belize, chimole: Jump over to our YouTube channel or click below to watch the episode! Thank you to host Rose Mattison for sharing her time and passion with us! We all have food in common. Most of us get together … Continue reading Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 2
Tales of Tacoma 