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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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135 results for: Popular Culture

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Image of Red flannel quilted shirt made by Outdoor Exchange, 1991

Red flannel quilted shirt made by Outdoor Exchange, 1991

Donor Ryan Boudinot described this as his “go-to flannel while playing music and going to shows in Olympia and Seattle during the grunge years. This shirt has seen Mudhoney, Tad, Nirvana, and countless other bands.” The shirt is padded and quilted on the interior to add extra warmth.
ID Number:2018.82.1
Date:1991
Image of Promotional software package containing a CD-ROM for

Promotional software package containing a CD-ROM for "Jim Henson The Muppet CD ROM," by Starwave Corporation, Bellevue, Washington, 1996

This software package is part of a collection donated by Frank Catalano who was one of the first local broadcast journalists to cover the personal computer revolution in the 1980s. At that time, he created and hosted the weekly Northwest Computing show for KING-AM and, in the 1990s, tracked the tech industry with a long-running "Byte Me" column that first…
ID Number:2020.4.8
Date:1996
Image of Sign from Mama's Mexican Kitchen restaurant, 1974

Sign from Mama's Mexican Kitchen restaurant, 1974

Mama's Mexican Kitchen, opened in 1974, was one of the oldest restaurants in the Belltown neighborhood until it closed in 2019. Mam's had been a local favorite for over forty years and the original owner was taught how to cook by his Mexican grandmother, "Mama." The interior was very kitschy with amusing decorations all over the walls and ceiling, including…
ID Number:2020.14.1
Date:1974
Image of 1961 Petosa accordion purchased in 1974 by Stan Boreson, a local celebrity and beloved performer

1961 Petosa accordion purchased in 1974 by Stan Boreson, a local celebrity and beloved performer

Stan Boreson (1925-2017), born in Everett, Washington, was one of Seattle's childrens television pioneers. Starting with his daily KING's Klubhouse in 1950, (later "The Stan Boreson Show"), he and sidekick Doug Setterberg, (a.k.a "Hey You") entertained Seattle's children from around 1950 until 1967. Boreson also had an active recording career. He played this accordion, and through the years became regionally…
ID Number:2020.23.1
Date:1961
Image of Compact disc,

Compact disc, "Stan Boreson: Fractured Christmas" (self-released), ca. 1994

Stan Boreson (1925-2017) was born in Everett, Washington, and was one of the pioneers of Seattle-based childrens television. Starting with his daily KING's Klubhouse in 1950 (later "The Stan Boreson Show"), he and sidekick Doug Setterberg (a.k.a "Hey You") entertained Seattle's children from around 1950 until 1967. Boreson also had an active recording career. He played the accordion for years,…
ID Number:2020.23.RefCD
Date:Circa 1994
Image of Wig and hat worn by Stan Boreson, local celebrity and beloved performer, ca. 1994

Wig and hat worn by Stan Boreson, local celebrity and beloved performer, ca. 1994

Stan Boreson (1925-2017), born in Everett, Washington, was one of Seattle's childrens television pioneers. Starting with his daily KING's Klubhouse in 1950, (later "The Stan Boreson Show"), he and sidekick Doug Setterberg, (a.k.a "Hey You") entertained Seattle's children from around 1950 until 1967. Boreson also had an active recording career. He played the accordion and, through the years, became regionally…
ID Number:2020.23.RefWigHat
Date:Circa 1994
Image of Smiley face pin from University Federal Savings, 1967

Smiley face pin from University Federal Savings, 1967

The now-ubiquitous yellow smiley icon that graces this pin was, according to one story, invented by David Stern in 1967. He was an advertising executive who planned a campaign to encourage people to open accounts at a small bank in Seattle called University Federal Savings and Loan.
ID Number:2021.20.4
Date:1967
Image of KJET 1600 antenna ball, 1980s

KJET 1600 antenna ball, 1980s

In 1982, KJET premiered on Seattle AM radio. The correct frequency of KJET was 1590 kHz, but digital tuning was new at the time and very rare, so radio stations rounded to the closest visible number on the analog dial, in this case 1600. Identified as "New Wave," KJET was a precursor to today's alternative rock music stations and aired…
ID Number:2021.20.RefBall
Date:Circa 1980
Image of Prop towel from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, used by Hera Hoffer/Jinkx Monsoon, 2013

Prop towel from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, used by Hera Hoffer/Jinkx Monsoon, 2013

This prop towel is from the 2013 production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Moore Theatre. Lead character Hedwig Robinson wipes sweat from her face and then reveals an imprint of her makeup on the towel. The faux imprint effect was created by production designer Jennifer Zeyl. Playing Hedwig was Hera Hoffer, better known by her stage name…
ID Number:2022.20.1
Date:2013
Image of Pressure cooker used at a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise owned by Gill Centioli, founder of Gil's Hamburgers

Pressure cooker used at a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise owned by Gill Centioli, founder of Gil's Hamburgers

Gill Centioli opened his 19-cent hamburger stand in the Rainier Valley neighborhood of Seattle in 1950. He soon operated three fast food drive-ins known as Gil's Hamburgers (dropping one "L") during the 1950s. Meanwhile, Harlan Sanders, prior to moving to Kentucky in 1952 to establish his world wide fast food chain, briefly worked as a cook (and possibly perfected his…
ID Number:2022.25.1
Date:Circa 1957-1959
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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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