God’s Pentecostal Church Celebrates 100 Years

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

Kim DavenportJune 28, 2025June 28, 2025Leave a comment

music

She Was There: Lucy Stedman Lamson

–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

Kim DavenportJune 20, 2025June 20, 2025Leave a comment

music

“Chief” William Arquette (1884-1943)

— 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)

Kim DavenportJuly 22, 2024Leave a comment

music

Helen Grayco – The Lady in Red

— 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

Kim DavenportJune 24, 2024June 24, 20241 Comment

family history

Leo Dobry and the Indy 500

— 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

Kim DavenportMay 31, 2024Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 3

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

Kim DavenportMay 5, 2024Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Remembering Polly Medlock

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

Kim DavenportMarch 12, 2024April 15, 2024Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 2

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

Kim DavenportMarch 5, 2024March 5, 2024Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Artifacts Tell Stories

Thanks to one of our followers, Jason Bisig, for sharing the following photographs with us. He recently purchased this 1950s-era combination TV/radio/turntable unit and was curious to learn more about the Tacoma business where it was originally sold, as documented by the still-intact tag. So far as we have been able to tell, Harold’s Radio & Television went through a number of names and addresses … Continue reading Artifacts Tell Stories

Kim DavenportFebruary 17, 2024April 15, 2024Leave a comment

civil rights

Tacoma’s USO #2

— by Sydney Jaxon For those who are unaware, let us begin with what USO stands for: United Service Organizations. The USO is an organization that serves active-duty service members and military families. Originating in 1941, the purpose was to provide recreational activities and resources for our troops. This was a great idea, as the 1940’s was a tumultuous time for the United States, right … Continue reading Tacoma’s USO #2

Kim DavenportDecember 19, 2023Leave a comment

Tales of Tacoma

Tag: featured

God’s Pentecostal Church Celebrates 100 Years

She Was There: Lucy Stedman Lamson

“Chief” William Arquette (1884-1943)

Helen Grayco – The Lady in Red

Leo Dobry and the Indy 500

Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 3

Remembering Polly Medlock

Tacoma’s Family Table: Episode 2

Artifacts Tell Stories

Tacoma’s USO #2