On Sunday October 16, 2016, the Radio Club of Tacoma officially celebrated its 100th birthday.

The party was held at the Scottish Rite Temple in Tacoma, from 2PM to 5PM.

The program consisted largely of personal stories told by members new and old about their experiences in ham radio and in the Club.  A handful had been present at the 50th anniversary of RCT.  Here is Nick Winter K7MO along with a picture of himself as Club member WA7IVO, 45 years ago:

K7MO Then and Now

Centennial Cake

 

 

As we listened to the many voices, we enjoyed birthday cake decorated with artwork from John Clarke AC7WW that was used to create our Centennial Pin.

 

The program also included remarks from ARRL Northwestern Division Director Jim Pace K7CEX.  Jim presented the Club with a plaque from the ARRL in recognition of the Club's Centennial and continuous affiliation with the ARRL since 1920.  Here is Club president Gary McAdams WG7X with K7CEX:

Plaque Presentation

As a finale, the Club unveiled a historical artifact:  the original Charter of the Radio Club of Tacoma, signed by the Old Man himself, Hiram Percy Maxim.

Original charter

The charter was recently unearthed (so to speak) by Club librarian Doug Oakman AD7AV from a collection of archival materials that have accumulated over the century of the Club's existence and which, until recently, had been in storage.  The Club had a facsimile of the charter, long believed to be the original, which was so deteriorated that its true nature was not readily apparent.  Restoration of this document has been contemplated for several years, with no good alternatives having been found.  What a delight to find the actual, original charter still in our possession and in near-pristine condition!  It has been mounted and framed using museum-quality materials and techniques so that it can safely be put on display at the Clubhouse.

The celebration concluded with the distribution of sparkling cider to all attendees and a toast to the past and next 100 years of the Radio Club of Tacoma.

Huge and surpassing thanks to Dave and Anne Ellison (W7UUU and N7ANN) who organized and managed this event.