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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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91 results for: Politics and Politicians

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Image of Silverplated chocolate pot or coffeepot from the family of Elisha P. Ferry, Washington Territory Governor from 1872-1880

Silverplated chocolate pot or coffeepot from the family of Elisha P. Ferry, Washington Territory Governor from 1872-1880

This after-dinner coffepot was part of the silver service set used by Governor Elisha Ferry in the 1880s. Ferry was the territorial governor of Washington from 1872-1880.
ID Number:1947.394.1.3
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Wooden chest, 1853

Wooden chest, 1853

This chest was brought across the country by pack train in 1853 by Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens. Stevens traveled to Puget Sound from the Midwest to conduct surveys of the newly established territory.
ID Number:1948.22.3
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Colored photograph of painted portrait of William Henry Seward by Herbert P. Muehlenbeck, 1867

Colored photograph of painted portrait of William Henry Seward by Herbert P. Muehlenbeck, 1867

The artist Herbert Muehlenbeck was born in Peoria, Illinois, and studied at Chicago Art Institute. He later came to Seattle and was listed in "Who's Who in Northwest Art," as well as exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum. Henry William Seward (1801-1872) was Secretary of State from 1860-1869 and was involved in the purchase of Alaska in 1867.
ID Number:1948.422
Date:1867
Image of Metal sign,

Metal sign, "Repeal 18th Amendment," ca. 1933

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, established the prohibition of alcohol in the US. Not surprisingly, there was much public dissent regarding the prohibition of alcohol and calls for repeal increased by the late 1920s. This ultimately resulted in the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution which repealed the 18th Amendment, and…
ID Number:1951.427.3
Date:Circa 1933
Image of Saratoga trunk belonging to the John Collins family of Seattle, ca. 1900

Saratoga trunk belonging to the John Collins family of Seattle, ca. 1900

John Collins was in Irish immigrant to Washington by way of New York and Maine, arriving in Seattle in 1865. He was a successful industrial investor, and he purchased and managed the Occidental Hotel, becoming one of Seattle's wealthiest citizens. He also entered the political sphere and served as mayor in 1873.
ID Number:1951.980.13
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Japanese still-life painting, “Saika (Nihon no Kudamono)” by Shunkou Mochizuki, ca. 1951

Japanese still-life painting, “Saika (Nihon no Kudamono)” by Shunkou Mochizuki, ca. 1951

Shunkou Mochizuki (1893-1979) was a “master” artist from Yamanashi prefecture in Japan, where there is a monument to him and also an art award given annually in his name. The title of the piece translates to"Japanese Fruits." Seattle's Mayor William Devlin traveled to Japan in 1951 to develop good relations, the first American mayor to visit that country post World…
ID Number:1953.316
Date:Circa 1951
Image of Mannequin dressed to represent Japanese court lady Shizuka Gozen, ca. 1951

Mannequin dressed to represent Japanese court lady Shizuka Gozen, ca. 1951

The legendary Shizuka Gozen—Lady Shizuka—sang and danced at court in samurai Japan more than 800 years ago. The city of Kyoto, Japan, presented to Seattle this life-size Shizuka in red and white shirabyoshi robes during the city's first Japan Trade Fair in 1951, six years after WWII. Both Seattle and Japan greeted this mending of our longtime relations with enthusiasm.
ID Number:1953.546
Date:Circa 1951
Image of Portrait of David T. Denny by Edwin Isaac Ames, 1894

Portrait of David T. Denny by Edwin Isaac Ames, 1894

David T. Denny (1832-1903) was the first of the Denny party to set foot on the shores of Puget Sound. He served in the organized militia, as a regent of the University of Washington, King County Treasurer, Probate Judge, Seattle School Board member and Seattle City Councilman. A respected businessman, Denny developed and consolidated the Seattle streetcar system. Artist Edwin…
ID Number:1954.541.a
Date:1894
Image of Robert Moran's metal lathe, ca. 1882-1906

Robert Moran's metal lathe, ca. 1882-1906

Robert Moran was an engineer, ship builder and Seattle city mayor. He arrived in Seattle in 1875 with only fifty dollars and went on to establish the Moran Brothers shipyard in 1889 with his brother Peter, specializing in both wooden and steel designs.
ID Number:1955.970.482
Date:Circa 1882
Image of Portrait of Frederick K. Struve by Dola M. Litzenberg, ca. 1910

Portrait of Frederick K. Struve by Dola M. Litzenberg, ca. 1910

In his dark suit, Frederic Struve projects an image of propserous stability. Struve was a prominent Seattle businessman and real estate developer. He became president of Seattle National Bank in 1914 and was active in the social, athletic, and political life of the city. The artist, Dola M. Litzenberg (1868-d.?), was born in Ohio and the census shows her in…
ID Number:1956.1061.f
Date:Circa 1910
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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.
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