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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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534 results for: Businesses and Corporations

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Image of Seattle Hardware razor, ca. 1900-1950

Seattle Hardware razor, ca. 1900-1950

Seattle Hardware Company opened in Pioneer Square in 1883, and held several locations in the Seattle downtown area through the 1950s.
ID Number:1982.116.101
Date:Circa 1900-1950
Image of Hook with handle, Japanese tool from Tashiro Hardware, Seattle, early 20th century

Hook with handle, Japanese tool from Tashiro Hardware, Seattle, early 20th century

This hook was from Tashiro's Hardware Store, established in 1917, and located on Prefontaine Avenue in the heart of Seattle's Nihonmachi. Kanjiro Tashiro (without hat) sold Japanese folding knives before opening his hardware store in Seattle. During World War II, he stored his inventory at Northcoast Importing. After the war, Tashiro reopened his business and continued to sell hardware as…
ID Number:1982.156.31
Date:Circa 1920-1940
Image of Candy box,

Candy box, "Helen Ardelle's Chocolates," ca. 1917

Sisters Martha and Helen Ardelle started selling chocolates in 1917 from a Seattle boarding house, wholesale and "by mail--everywhere--even to Cuba!" Martha took over the business, changed her name to Helen, divorced a renowned Arctic explorer and fur trader, and later sold the company to Brown & Haley (of Almond Roca fame).
ID Number:1982.200.1
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Set of brass luggage claim check tags from Seattle Steamship Company, ca. 1900-1920

Set of brass luggage claim check tags from Seattle Steamship Company, ca. 1900-1920

The Seattle Steamship Company waiting room was located at the White Star Dock at the foot of Spring Street. In the early twentieth century, travellers most likely received their baggage claim checks at this location before boarding. The numbers on these tags include: 108, 302, 375, 492, 719, 725,773, and 794.
ID Number:1984.20.ONLINE
Date:Circa 1900-1920
Image of Hand-lettered sign for mochi, used at the Sagamiya Confectionery Co., ca. 1905-1950

Hand-lettered sign for mochi, used at the Sagamiya Confectionery Co., ca. 1905-1950

This sign was from the Sagamiya Confectionery, formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi and other wagashi (Japanese sweets). The bakery was founded in 1904 and closed in the early 1970s.
ID Number:1984.54.1
Date:1905-1950
Image of Hand-lettered sign for mochi, used at the Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1950

Hand-lettered sign for mochi, used at the Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1950

This sign was from the Sagamiya Confectionery, formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi and other wagashi (Japanese sweets). The bakery was founded in 1904 and closed in the early 1970s.
ID Number:1984.54.2
Date:1905-1950
Image of Daitoku good fortune figurine, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1920

Daitoku good fortune figurine, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1920

Figurines of this particular god were said to provide good luck to those in the food industry. It was donated along with other materials from the Sagamiya Confectionery, formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi and…
ID Number:1984.54.29
Date:1905-1920
Image of Ebeisu good fortune figure, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1920

Ebeisu good fortune figure, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1905-1920

Figurines of this particular god were said to provide good luck to those in the food industry. It was donated along with other materials from the Sagamiya Confectionery, formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi and…
ID Number:1984.54.30
Date:1905-1920
Image of Serving tray used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1910

Serving tray used at Sagamiya Confectionary Co., ca. 1910

This serving tray was from the Sagamiya Confectionery, formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi and other wagashi (Japanese sweets). The bakery was founded in 1904 and closed in the early 1970s.
ID Number:1984.54.58
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Press for stamping confections, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Company, ca. 1910

Press for stamping confections, used at Sagamiya Confectionary Company, ca. 1910

The Sagamiya Confectionery, founded in 1904 by Unosuke Shibata, was formerly located at 6th and Main in the area previously known as Nihonmachi, or Japantown, now in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Sagamiya used traditional Japanese methods in the making of mochi, pastries and other wagashi (confections). The bakery was a popular neighborhood establishment until it closed in the 1970s.
ID Number:1984.54.61
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.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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