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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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36 results for: Religion and Spirituality

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Image of Portrait of Monsignor Francis X Prefontaine, ca. 1868

Portrait of Monsignor Francis X Prefontaine, ca. 1868

Father Francis X. Prefontaine (1838-1909) was born in Quebec and arrived in Seattle in 1867. He was the city's first resident priest and built Seattle's first Roman Catholic church, Our Lady of Good Help, located on Third Avenue and Washington Street. In 1877, he bought a soap factory and this became the site of the Sisters of Providence first hospital…
ID Number:1953.360
Date:Circa 1868
Image of Wooden rattle in the shape of a bird, Lummi, ca. 1900

Wooden rattle in the shape of a bird, Lummi, ca. 1900

In the early 1900s a Lummi man carved this bird shape from wood, then filled it with stones to make a rattle. He painted it red and black: ceremonial colors. Then he—or his wife—would shake it during a spiritual dance ceremony.
ID Number:1959.1694.1
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Chronological Chart of Ancient, Modern, and Biblical History, 1883

Chronological Chart of Ancient, Modern, and Biblical History, 1883

The original chronological chart was printed in 1871. This is a revised and enlarged version printed in 1883, and initially owned by Judge Thomas Burke, a prominent Seattle lawyer who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Washington Territory from 1888 to 1889. This chart was later used by the Seattle Center for Constructive Thinking which evolved…
ID Number:1960.2048
Date:1883
Image of Scale model of Thai Shrine, Seattle World's Fair, 1962

Scale model of Thai Shrine, Seattle World's Fair, 1962

The Seattle World's Fair featured the Thai Pavilion on the International Mall with exhibits designed to reflect Thailand's natural and cultural opulence. At the rear of the Pavilion, on a polished marble floor, murals of Thailand formed a backdrop for a 3-D abstract temple that set the theme of the exhibit.
ID Number:1963.3119.83
Date:1962
Image of First Methodist Church pieced quilt, 1895

First Methodist Church pieced quilt, 1895

This quilt was made by members of Seattle's First Methodist Church in 1895 and includes their embroidered names. This was Seattle's oldest church, founded in 1853, and the first service was held in a log cabin.
ID Number:1964.3301.2
Date:1895
Image of Wheelchair, ca. 1950

Wheelchair, ca. 1950

This 1950s wheelchair was donated by Jodie Louise Torgesen, who was a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Monroe, Washington, and a volunteer for the Adventist Disaster Relief Association. Perhaps she used this chair herself, or perhaps it was used by the Disaster Relief Association.
ID Number:1965.3743
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Plaster bust of Reverend Mark A. Matthews, D.D., made ca. 1960s

Plaster bust of Reverend Mark A. Matthews, D.D., made ca. 1960s

Reverend Mark Matthews was pastor of First Presbyterian Church at 7th and Spring in the early 1900s. The reverend, who was in favor of Prohibition, led a congregation that became the largest Presbyterian group in the United States.
ID Number:1968.4333.1
Date:Circa 1960
Image of Windsor style lecture chair with writing arm, 1890-1930

Windsor style lecture chair with writing arm, 1890-1930

This side-arm school chair was used from 1907-1908 at the Holy Names Academy located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. The Holy Names Academy, established in 1888, is one of the oldest schools in Washington state. A Catholic private all-girls college-preparatory high school, it is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and governed by a Board of…
ID Number:1968.4426.3
Date:1890-1930
Image of Handbell from the Tulalip Shaker Church, 1940

Handbell from the Tulalip Shaker Church, 1940

The Indian Shaker Church is a Christian denomination founded in the Pacific Northwest by Squazin tribal member by John Slocum in 1882. It combines Native American customs and traditional beliefs with influences from Catholicism and Protestantism. Indian Shakers are not related to the English-American Shaker denomination founded by Ann Lee. Indian Shakerism was introduced to the Tulalip Tribe in 1896…
ID Number:1970.4987.1
Date:1940
Image of Black and gold cocktail dress, 1950s

Black and gold cocktail dress, 1950s

This 1950s cocktail dress has three built-in petticoat layers to give it extra volume. It belonged to Seattleite Ann Dulien Diamond (1909-1984), who donated many high-fashion garments to MOHAI’s collection. She was born Ann Fabrikant in Russia (now Poland) in 1909 and came to the United States in 1911. She grew up in New York and moved to Seattle after…
ID Number:1975.6058.5C2137
Date:Circa 1950
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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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