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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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35 results for: Denny, Arthur

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Image of Carved walking stick that belonged to Arthur Denny, ca. 1880

Carved walking stick that belonged to Arthur Denny, ca. 1880

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle. He served as Seattle's first postmaster, was a delegate to the Washington Territorial Legislature, was one of King County's first commissioners, and he was instrumental in founding the University of…
ID Number:1946.508.1
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Wood leveling plane made by Arthur Denny, 1800s

Wood leveling plane made by Arthur Denny, 1800s

Arthur Denny, early white Seattle settler, made this wood plane from applewood in his orchard.
ID Number:1948.93
Date:Circa 1840-1880
Image of Oil portrait of Arthur Armstrong Denny by Baron Holmfeld, 1896

Oil portrait of Arthur Armstrong Denny by Baron Holmfeld, 1896

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle. He served as Seattle's first postmaster, was a delegate to the Washington Territorial Legislature, was one of King County's first commissioners, and he was instrumental in founding the University of…
ID Number:1948.421
Date:1896
Image of Shingle from Denny cabin, ca. 1851

Shingle from Denny cabin, ca. 1851

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle. This shingle, donated by a descendent of those early settlers,was part of the original cabin built by the Dennys when they first arrived on what was later called Alki.
ID Number:1952.986.8
Date:Circa 1851
Image of Single-bladed pocket knife, ca. 1880

Single-bladed pocket knife, ca. 1880

This pocket knife belonged to Arthur Denny, head of an early white settler family and a founder of Seattle.
ID Number:1953.651
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Split cedar shingle and pieces of bark from the Denny House on Alki, 1851

Split cedar shingle and pieces of bark from the Denny House on Alki, 1851

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle. This shingle, donated by a descendent of those early settlers, was a part of the original cabin built by the Dennys when they first arrived on what was later called…
ID Number:1953.651.1
Date:1851
Image of Razor owned by Arthur Denny, 1861

Razor owned by Arthur Denny, 1861

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle.
ID Number:1953.651.B
Date:Circa 1861
Image of Black wooden trinket box, 1854

Black wooden trinket box, 1854

This box was given to Sarah Loretta Denny (Boren), half-sister of Arthur Denny and member of the Denny family, early whtie settlers in the Seattle area.
ID Number:1953.651.E
Date:1854
Image of Altimeter and barometer used by David Denny, ca. 1850

Altimeter and barometer used by David Denny, ca. 1850

David T. Denny (1832-1903) was the first of the Denny party to set foot on the shores of Puget Sound. His brother Arthur Denny (1822-1899) was considered to be the leader of the “Denny Party” which travelled west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest. When the group arrived in Portland, Oregon, David and John Low continued north to scout locations…
ID Number:1955.901.a
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Soda fountain chair from Seattle's main Post Office once located at 3rd and Union, ca. 1892-1910

Soda fountain chair from Seattle's main Post Office once located at 3rd and Union, ca. 1892-1910

Seattle's first post office was located in early settler Arthur Denny's cabin home with Denny as the first official Postmaster. Move forward fifty years to 1890, and the post office, having moved to various places, was then located in a building on Columbia Street that was constructed after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The first permanent home for the…
ID Number:1958.1449.7
Date:1892-1910
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