Spring 2013 - Celebrate Spanaway

I n d ex
June Brides
Museum Happenings
Updates
The purpose of the Spanaway Historical Society is to assemble and preservegethe
gained
history
Spanaway
Markof
Yourthe
Calendar
Spring 2013
!
therein may be used for the education
c o and
m m uimprovement
nity.
of the
A busy and productive year has zipped by and as the cold, wet, windy months of winter turn into memories; we enjoy
April Showers, May Flowers and June Brides!
In the first years of the settlement of the country, a wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood; and the frolic was anticipated by old
and young with eager expectation. This is not to be wondered at, when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which was not
accompanied with the labor of reaping, log-rolling, building a cabin, or planning some scout or campaign. No idle time for these young brides and
grooms! Raising large families and having no choice than to be self-sufficient, their days were filled with hard work and long hours.
Source: Wills De Hass – 1851 Publication
The marriage was generally celebrated at the house of the bride. In the morning of the wedding day, the groom and his intimate
friends would assemble at the house of his father, and after due preparation departed for the home of the bride. The journey was sometimes
made on horseback, sometimes on foot and sometimes in a farm wagon or cart. It was always a merry journey, and to insure merriment there
might be a bottle taken along. After the marriage ceremonies were performed, supper was eaten.
The meal was a substantial back-woods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison or bear meat that was roasted or boiled, along
with plenty of potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed; although the table might be a
large slab of timber, hewed out with a broad axe, supported by four sticks set in auger holes; and the furniture some old pewter dishes, and
plates; the rest, wooden bowls and trenchers; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest
were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made up by the knives carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting
shirt. Every man carried one of them.
When dinner was over, the dancing would commence, usually lasting until morning. The figures of the dances were three and four
handed reels, or square sets and jigs. At the proper time for retiring, a deputation of young ladies would steal off the bride and put her to bed.
This done, a deputation of young men would escort the groom to the same location to join his bride.
Karl Schwanz (1848) and Eliza (1860)
were both born in Germany and met
at a big “German doings” in Tacoma
which finalized in marriage. They
began their life together on their
homestead near Spanaway in the
1880’s. All 14 of the children were
born on the Homestead and worked
at various jobs to help the family.
John Barnes was born on the Nisqually Plains 1857.
His father was a Hudson Bay man from England.
Janet Barnes was born in Scotland on 1865. In 1877,
at age 11, she and her 9 year old brother came to live
with the Adam Benston family. Adam had known
Janet and her brother when living in Scotland. John
and Janet were married when she was just 16 years
old. They had ten children and on their farm they
raised cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese and
ducks. There was always a big garden to tend and the
family even harvested the cranberries which grew in
the swamps around Spanaway Lake.
Theodore Manteufel came to the US from Berlin
Germany when 21 years old. He came to
Wagon Train Settlers
Spokane to find work and met Marie Lorenz
B. Franklin Wright, when 18
whom he later married. In 1882, they traveled to
years of age, went to Licken,
western Washington Territory and homesteaded
Missouri, to sell a load of
in Spanaway. They raised 7 children. Theodore
mules. He met Miss Frances
would take sacks of carrots, onions and potatoes
Jane
Blankenship,
a
to Murray’s store in Roy to trade for groceries.
daughter of a Pennsylvania
The hogs, calves, geese and ducks were taken to
Dutch tobacco planter. Two
Roy or South Tacoma. The round trip to South
years later they were married
Tacoma by wagon took from 4 AM to 10 PM.
and in May 1853, together
with B. Franklin’s parents,
brothers,
sisters,
their
families and their own baby
daughter,
joined
the
immigrant train headed for
Fort Steilacoom. The trip
was
long,
hard
and
hazardous. The covered
wagons
reached
Ft.
Steilacoom on November 2,
1853. Soon after, B. Franklin
took up a Donation Claim to
build a home for his family.
They had 14 children and
raised 12 to adulthood.
Mark Your Calendar
Fir Lane Park Memorial Day
Flag Placement
June 25 @ 9:30 AM
Memorial Day Services May
26 @ l:00
It’s the
You Won’t Find A Better
Deal Anywhere SHS Yard
Sale!
JUNE 1 @ 10 AM - 4 PM
POTLUCK PICNIC:
Sunday, July 21
Noon
Friends, Family, Food and
Fun!! See you there!
John Rohr was born in 1860 in Nuremberg, Germany,
and came to the US when he was 19 years old.
Emma was born in Illinois in 1866. They met and
were married in Illinois before coming to Tacoma in
1888. John and Emma came west because the
climate was ideal for garden farming and Spanaway
is where they chose to homestead. Seven children
were born to them, 4 boys and 3 girls. They raised all
of the hay for their cattle, had a fine orchard that
produced lots of fruit and their garden grew so well
that the Rohr’s were able to have a route downtown
where they sold garden vegetables, fruit, eggs, butter
and the sauerkraut made by Mother Rohr.
Co m munity Co nnection
C el ebrate Spanaway
serves Spanaway through its
online local business directory,
community information website,
special projects, and support of
charitable organizations serving
the area
w w w . c el e b rates pa na
w ay.com
Spanaway Pione er
C e m etery
w w w .F indagr ave.co
m
This is a free resource for finding
the final resting places of famous
MUSEUM
INFORMATION
812 East 176 th S treet
Along with the special
events, the mu seum is
open every Wednesday
from 10:00 AM to 2:00
PM
and
on
the
3 rd
Sunday of each mon th
between 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
For Group tours of any
contact
th e
museum at: 253-536size,
6655 or 360-832-6662
Memberships
General $8 - Spouse $5
Seniors 65+ $6 - Spouse $5
Student age 18-22 - $6
Under 18 - $5
JULY MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Please
renew
your
annual
membership as soon as possible,
and while you’re at it, why not
purchase a membership for friends
and family? What a wonderful gift!
Your support is very important to the
continued existence of the Historical
Society. Thanks!
Museum Happenings
Annual Winter Wreath Fundraiser boosted the ever needy
SHS budget – again! The many hours spent cutting ribbons,
tying bows and organizing the sale of hundreds of festive
wreaths was a grand success. Kudos to the great bunch of
“elves” that made it all possible!
December’s Holiday Open House was another successful
event with SHS docents sharing the holiday season with
enthusiastic guests touring the museum.
The Lion’s Club hosted the annual ‘Everyone’s A Winner’
Easter Egg Hunt for children with special needs. Nice Weather,
Good Prizes and Great Kids all made for another enjoyable
event.
23rd Annual Kids’ Day – April 3rd Started by Meredith Barnes
as a Girl Scout Project, SHS with Robin Barnes at the helm,
enjoyed a sunny day that was PACKED with about 200 visitors!
Volunteers ushered groups throughout the museum exhibits and
activities. The popularity of being a Pioneer for the Day never
diminishes, as kids carefully cradled fluffy chicks, ran with
energetic goats, petted ponies, learned about spinning, churned
butter, munched popcorn and marveled at a telephone with a
dial! Along with the traditional activities, there was face painting,
photo shoots, the Victorian Dollhouse, the Miner’s Cabin and an
all new Spanaway Merchants display located on the 2nd floor of
the museum. As always, you did a fantastic job - “Well done,
Robin!”
A special Thank You to our VERY SUPPORTIVE community
members!
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Carol Grinneel - Spinning Demonstration
Steve Shelton – Blacksmith
Daughters of the Lions – Face Painting
Cindy Collins – Playful Kid Goats
Pablo Verbera & Daughter – Ponies to Pet & Ride
Museum Updates
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Sign: Tada!! No more complaining (“comments”) about the
lack of a marker indicating the location of the museum
because SHS now has a beautiful and informative sign
above the door of the Prairie House. Thanks, Art, for
another great job in helping with the maintenance of the
museum!
Historian: Work continues with the recording and
preservation of photos, articles and vital statistics for
the library. Marilyn Goddard is using the newest
materials to help insure these records will be a lasting
research tool. You are appreciated, Marilyn!
Jack of All Trades: This is a new title for the Update
section of our newsletter, but certainly not a new
position! Without members taking on the role of “Jack
of All Trades” there would be no museum. Don Foster
is one of those individuals who shows up, records
computer data, moves furniture and recently added a
great deal to the construction of the Merchants of
Spanaway display. Many thanks, Don!
Miner’s Cabin: It is official! The cabin that has been a
constant source of “just one more thing to do” is now a
completed display. A big “Thanks” to those who have added
their elbow grease and craftsmanship to this lasting
museum addition!
Merchants of Spanaway Exhibit: was designed and
organized by Shirley Zlock. It is located on the 2nd floor of
the museum and contains photos and captions that provide
for an easy and interesting self-guided tour of:
King’s Meat Market
!
Exchange Tavern
Barbershop & Tobacco Items
General Mercantile Store
Little Park Restaurant
Spanaway Speedway
And More. . .!
.
Victorian Doll House
Member Robin Barnes always
dreamed about a dollhouse for the
Prairie House museum. It came
true when Denyse Lockhart gave
her a large dollhouse she couldn't
keep.
Along
with
fellow
miniaturists, Hazel Jeffords and
Gary Graves, the house was
completely remodeled, repaired
and furnished.
“Have you ever wondered about the history of
dollhouses? This hobby is by no means a recent
development. The building of dollhouse mansions can
be traced back as far as the 16th century, when “baby
houses” showcased elaborate settings with exquisite
furniture. These were not a child's toy, but handmade
displays commissioned by affluent women in Europe.
Made
by
expert
craftsmen,
dollhouse
mansions replicated the owner's own home and were
intended as a display of taste and wealth.
Gradually, the joy of dollhouses was shared
with the children of these households. The first ones
built for children were not playthings, but a way to
teach girls about domestic life. By the 18th century,
dollhouses were a plaything in wealthy households.
With the advent of mass production,
dollhouses became more popular among children.
After World War II, they were mass-produced in
factories with less craftsmanship. By the 1950s, the
typical dollhouse was made of painted sheet
metal filled with plastic furniture. They cost little
enough and a majority of girls could own one.
Today, dollhouses come in an amazing array
of styles for children and adults alike. A dollhouse can
delight both the adult, as well as, the child!”
. . . and if you have any doubts, just drop by
the museum and let an enthusiastic Chuck Overra
show you how the lights work, where the stairway is
located and loads of other details he will happily share
about the new display that is truly a joy for children of
ALL ages!