The MOHAI collections team has had a full and fascinating year! Every year, staff carefully review hundreds of potential donations, evaluating which objects will best strengthen MOHAI’s permanent collection.
Adding a new artifact is never a simple “yes” or “no.” Each decision requires a thoughtful look at what’s already represented in the collection—and what stories are still missing.
Recent decades are often less represented than earlier eras, with items from the past 40 years offered far less frequently than those from 50 or more years ago. Similarly, the stories and histories of People of Color, Indigenous people, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants from outside Europe, refugees, people with disabilities, minority religious groups, and working class and low-income individuals remain underrepresented in MOHAI’s collections. These are central priorities for future collecting.
Together, the artifacts MOHAI acquires help illuminate the many ways people have shaped life in Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region since the mid-19th century. Below is a look at just a few of the pieces added to the collection in 2025.
