Washington State’s Black History: The Black and Tan Club
All month, we’ll be partnering with The Black Heritage Society of Washington State to bring you artifacts, photos and stories from our community’s history.
The Black and Tan Club at 12th Ave & S Jackson Street in Seattle was the place to go, be seen, and take in the local and visiting entertainment. At the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, we hold many memories of the club that we’ll keep sharing when the opportunity arises.
Princess Zenobia, born Mary Jefferson, came to Seattle in 1946 with her husband, Noble Perkins and his band. She danced at the Black & Tan and later worked with Quincy Jones, Bumps Blackwell, and Ray Charles among others. She was given the name “Princess Zenobia” while she was working at the China Pheasant. The China Pheasant was located on Marginal Way and was owned by Black entrepreneur Wilmer Morgan who also owned the Mardi Gras Grill and in 1955 reopened the Savoy on E Madison and renamed it Birdland.
The hockey game machine, made by J. P. Seeburg Corp., was a popular recreation featured in the Black & Tan Club. It was operated with a 5-cent piece. The machine was a donation to BHS co-founder Esther Hall Mumford by Madeline Wright of Seattle. The game was stored for a number of years at the home of The Mumford’s until it was moved to the archive in 2003.
