Virginia J. Washburn Morrison papers, 1939, 1955-1991, undated

Overview of the Collection

Title
Virginia J. Washburn Morrison papers
Dates
1939, 1955-1991, undated (inclusive)
Quantity
.44 linear feet, (one archival box and one oversized folder)
Collection Number
MSS .107
Summary
Virginia J. Washburn Morrison (1919-2020) was a native of Tacoma, Washington and the founder of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. This collection includes materials related to the College of Puget Sound School of Music, the Tacoma Arts For Youth Council, the Tacoma Youth Symphony, the Tacoma Symphony, the Tacoma B&I Circus Store, and the Tacoma Fun Fair. Materials include correspondence, financial records, reports, photographs, posters, programs, tickets, newspaper clippings, and newsletters.
Repository
University of Puget Sound, Archives & Special Collections

Collins Memorial Library
1500 N. Warner St.
CMB1021
Tacoma, WA
98416-1021
Telephone: 2538792669
archives@pugetsound.edu
Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Virginia J. Washburn Morrison (1919–2020) was a native of Tacoma, Washington, and the founder of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. Morrison was born at Tacoma General Hospital on February 21, 1919, to Hiram E. Washburn and Rachel A. Hoover Washburn. Virginia graduated from Lincoln High School in 1938. While in high school, she became Worthy Advisory of Cedar Assembly of Rainbow Girls, competed in debate club, participated in Lincoln Letter Lassies (female sports), and played the clarinet in Lincoln's marching band, orchestra, operettas, and musicals. She received a scholarship upon graduation to Whitman College, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Conservatory Diploma in Music Teaching (June 1942). While in college, she was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

After graduating from Whitman College, Morrison returned to Tacoma and worked at Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot as the Head of Mail and Records. On February 17, 1943, Virginia married her childhood friend E. Albert Morrison, who went on to become a Pierce County Superior Court Judge from 1974 to 1993. The couple would go on to have four children.

In the late 1950s, Morrison became a member of the City of Tacoma Arts for Youth Council. The council was formed in 1956 and was charged with fostering and advancing the cultural well-being of Tacoma youth. As a member of the council, Morrison advocated for the formation of a youth symphony in Tacoma. In response to this initiative, the council hosted a month-long summer string orchestra program in 1963 at Pacific Lutheran University. The program was a success, and shortly after, the council formally established the Tacoma Youth Symphony. The symphony was first conducted by Dr. Paul Oncley. In 1964, the symphony expanded and introduced an orchestra for younger students, which was conducted by John H. Walters. That same year, the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association was formed. During this time, the symphonies practiced in the University of Puget Sound music building and had concerts at Pacific Lutheran University.

To promote the fledgling association, Morrison created "A Tempo," a monthly newsletter for members and supporters. She led the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association until 1976. While under her direction, the symphony attended the International Festival of Youth Orchestras twice, once in Switzerland in 1970 and once in Scotland in 1975. At both festivals, the Tacoma Youth Symphony took top honors. In 1989, Morrison was awarded the Whitman College Alumnus of Merit Award for founding the Tacoma Youth Symphony.

Morrison was an active community member. She taught piano to area children and young adults for over 35 years and was a member of many local organizations. These included the CK P.E.O, the Law League of Tacoma, and the Mu Phi Epsilon music honorary society. Morrison passed away at age 100 in her Tacoma home on February 13, 2020.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection includes one box of materials documenting the activities of Virginia J. Washburn Morrison (1919-2020), the founder of the Tacoma Youth Symphony, as well as records relevant to the history of the city of Tacoma, Washington.

Subjects of the records include the College of Puget Sound School of Music, the Tacoma Arts For Youth Council, the Tacoma Youth Symphony, the Tacoma Symphony, the Tacoma B&I Circus Store, and the Tacoma Fun Fair of July 1955. Materials include correspondence, financial records, reports, photographs, posters, programs, tickets, newspaper clippings, and newsletters.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Name of document, date.] Virginia J. Washburn Morrison papers, Mss.107. University of Puget Sound Archives & Special Collections. Tacoma, Washington.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Tacoma Fun Fair ephemera, 1955, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Newspaper clippings
1955, undated
1 2
Official program
1955

Tacoma Arts for Youth Council records , 1956-1957, 1961-1964, 1976Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 3
By-laws and handbook
1957, 1963
1 4
Letters from the Tacoma Art for Youth Council to Judge E. Albert Morrison
1956, 1976
1 5
Newspaper clippings
1957, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1970, undated
1 6
Petition, Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
March 14, 1964
1 7
Programs
1956, 1961, 1967
1 8
Reports
1956, undated
1 9
Summer Arts Festival records
1961
1 10
Speeches written by Virginia Washburn Morrison
1961
1 11
Survey, Recognition Recital
1957

Tacoma Youth Symphony Association records, 1963, 1969-1979Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 12
By-laws
1972, 1976, 1979
1 13
Financial records
1972-1973, 1979
1 14
Letters to Virginia Washburn Morrison
1963-1964
1 15
Meeting minutes, board of trustees
1972, 1979
1 16
Newspaper clippings
1964, 1970, 1975, 1989, 1992, 2020
1 17
Newsletter, "A Tempo"
1975, 1979
1 18
Photograph and negative
1963-1964, undated
1 19
Press releases
1975, 1979, undated
1 20
Programs
1963-64, 1967, 1972-1975, 1979
1 21
Recognition certificate, Mr. and Mrs. E. Albert Morrison
September 3, 1970
1 22
Tickets, Gala Bon Voyage Concert
July 28
1 23
Tour button, International Festival of Youth Orchestras
1970
drawer
C1
Tour posters, International Festival of Youth Orchestras
1970
Box Folder
1 24
Tour records, International Festival of Youth Orchestras
1969, 1975

Programs, Tacoma Symphony, 1973, 1980-1981, 1984-1986, 1990-1991Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 25

Virginia Washburn Morrison notes from Mr. D. Robert Smith's course, "History of Music", 1939Return to Top

Container(s): Box 1, Folder 26