The word Kirmess is applied in the United States to any entertainment, especially one organized in the interest of charity. The term comes from Kermesse, a Dutch language term for the mass said on the anniversary of the foundation of a church (or the parish) and accompanied by feasting, dancing, and sports of all kinds.
This group is posed in costume at the Kirmess charity pageant and carnival, a major Seattle social event with extravagant stage shows which benefited the Seattle's Children's Orthopedic Hospital (now Seattle Children's). The girl on the right edge of the frame is Loyal Graef Treat (1906-2004), daughter of real estate developer Harry Whitney Treat and his wife Olive Marion (Graef) Treat.
Handwritten on image: Eulahe Ruerril Wagner, E. Sayers, Mrs. Huston, Elsbeth Young Rudt, Trangioli, Franklyn Craford Challee, Loyal Handwritten on verso: The Kirmess
Caption information source: "Children's Orthopedic Hospital," by Mildred Andrews, HistoryLink.org Essay 2059
ID Number: 2005.19.4
Date: Circa 1915
Physical Description: 1 photographic print pasted on paper : b&w ; 8.75 x 13.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv55932
Credit: MOHAI, Harry W. Treat Family Collections, 2005.19.4
