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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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33 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Miniature saw, souvenir of Labor Day, 1890

Miniature saw, souvenir of Labor Day, 1890

This small saw is inscribed "Labor Day Souvenir // Seattle, September 1, 1890." Saws were used both in logging and shipbuilding, two of Seattle’s most important 19th-century industries. The idea of “a general holiday for the laboring classes” was first proposed in the early 1880s and quickly gained steam across the country. It became an official federal holiday in 1894.
ID Number:1958.1521.3
Date:1890
Image of Metal lunch pail, ca. 1880s

Metal lunch pail, ca. 1880s

Metal lunch containers first appeared in the mid-19th century and were initially adopted by coal miners who needed to keep food clean and dust-free. They were soon adopted by many other workers and evolved in functionality and versatility. This pail has two removable internal trays and a detachable cup on the top.
ID Number:1962.2764.41
Date:Circa 1880-1889
Image of Badge from the International Association of Machinists, ca. 1920

Badge from the International Association of Machinists, ca. 1920

This badge from the International Association of Machinists belonged to Martin L. Stadum. He was a machinist for the Great Northern Railway. He moved first to Everett in 1910 and then Seattle in 1928.
ID Number:1963.2910.8
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Coal sack counter for longshoreman, ca. 1907

Coal sack counter for longshoreman, ca. 1907

This counter is held in the palm of the hand with the user advancing the number wheels by depressing the button. It was used by Jospeh Alfred Manshiem who worked as a longshoreman coal sacker with the Pacific Coast Company. He came to the Pacific Northwest in 1919 as a fireman on the S.S. Swiftsure. He worked for the Pacific…
ID Number:1973.5644.7
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Metalworker's hammer, ca. 1899

Metalworker's hammer, ca. 1899

This hammer belonged to John William Sutton, who was born in 1861 in New York state and came to Seattle around 1899. He was a ship's carpenter, machinist, millwright, sawyer, and worked the lathe for the Moran Brothers Company.
ID Number:1974.5974.6
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Cabinetmaker's dowel plate, ca. 1899

Cabinetmaker's dowel plate, ca. 1899

This dowel plate belonged to John William Sutton, who was born in 1861 in New York state and came to Seattle around 1899. He was a ship's carpenter, machinist, millwright, sawyer, and worked the lathe for the Moran Brothers Company.
ID Number:1974.5974.13
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Screwdriver, ca. 1899

Screwdriver, ca. 1899

This screwdriver belonged to John William Sutton, who was born in 1861 in New York state and came to Seattle around 1899. He was a ship's carpenter, machinist, millwright, sawyer, and worked the lathe for the Moran Brothers Company.
ID Number:1974.5974.14
Date:Circa 1870-1890
Image of Pair of hammers, ca. 1899

Pair of hammers, ca. 1899

This pair of hammers belonged to John William Sutton, who was born in 1861 in New York state and came to Seattle around 1899. He was a ship's carpenter, machinist, millwright, sawyer, and worked the lathe for the Moran Brothers Company.
ID Number:1974.5974.24
Date:Circa 1889
Image of Pair of wooden molding planes, ca. 1899

Pair of wooden molding planes, ca. 1899

This pair of planes belonged to John William Sutton, who was born in 1861 in New York state and came to Seattle around 1899. He was a ship's carpenter, machinist, millwright, sawyer, and worked the lathe for the Moran Brothers Company.
ID Number:1974.5974.26
Date:Circa 1899
Image of Commemorative ribbon, Seattle Brewers' and Maltsters' Union, ca. 1905

Commemorative ribbon, Seattle Brewers' and Maltsters' Union, ca. 1905

The Seattle Brewers' and Maltsters' union was formed in 1890 to protect the rights of brewery workers, fighting against long hours and dangerous conditions in the city's rapidly growing brewing industry. On May 1, 1905, union workers from 11 breweris across western Washington went on strike, demanding that companies hire exclusively from union membership lists. Management refused, and the strike…
ID Number:1976.6352.2
Date:Circa 1905
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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