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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
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Historical Note

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.

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Content Description

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.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

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

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Administrative Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection


2024

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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