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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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183 results for: European American Settlement

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Image of Slat back side chair made by Henry Van Asselt for the Maple family, 1870s

Slat back side chair made by Henry Van Asselt for the Maple family, 1870s

Henry Van Asselt settled in the Seattle area in 1851, intending to make his living through agriculture. When his first homestead was burned in the Battle of Seattle of 1856, he left the area for the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where he polished his cabinet-making skills. He opened up a cabinet shop upon his return to Seattle, and his furniture…
ID Number:1988.34.1
Date:Circa 1870
Image of Maple desk top made by Henry Van Asselt, ca. 1860

Maple desk top made by Henry Van Asselt, ca. 1860

European American settlers in the Puget Sound region made whatever household goods they couldn’t bring with them. Henry Van Asselt, one of the earliest homesteaders, was a talented carpenter. He made this desktop for early settler Thomas Mercer.
ID Number:1993.76.1
Date:Circa 1860
Image of Table made by Henry Van Asselt for Thomas Mercer, ca. 1860s

Table made by Henry Van Asselt for Thomas Mercer, ca. 1860s

Henry Van Asselt settled in the Seattle area in 1851, intending to make his living through agriculture. When his first homestead was burned in the Battle of Seattle of 1856, he left the area for the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where he polished his cabinet-making skills. He opened up a cabinet shop upon his return to Seattle, and his furniture…
ID Number:1993.76.2
Date:Circa 1860
Image of Bell from Denny School, ca. 1890-1930

Bell from Denny School, ca. 1890-1930

The Denny School was built in Seattle on Battery Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in 1884. The bell tower still stands in Denny Park.
ID Number:1994.2
Date:Circa 1890-1930
Image of Small letter box containing dried sweet briar flowers and seeds from Louisa Boren Denny's garden, ca. 1928

Small letter box containing dried sweet briar flowers and seeds from Louisa Boren Denny's garden, ca. 1928

This box of seeds and dried flowers came from a 1928 time capsule that was behind the plaque on the north wall of the Opera House in Seattle. The box was later added to a time capsule at the Seattle Center where it was eventually extracted in 2002, and then donated to MOHAI. The dried flowers are sweet briar rose…
ID Number:2003.41.3
Date:Circa 1928
Image of Duwamish carrying basket, attributed to Kikisoblu (Princess Angeline), ca. 1885

Duwamish carrying basket, attributed to Kikisoblu (Princess Angeline), ca. 1885

This basket was possibly made by Kikisoblu (Princess Angeline) to deliver clams and other materials to Seattle customers. Kikisoblu (ca. 1820-1896) was the daughter of Chief Si'ahl (Chief Seattle). The 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott required all Duwamish people leave Seattle to live on reservations, but Kikisoblu remained in a cabin on the waterfront. She earned a living doing laundry…
ID Number:2003.62.1
Date:1884-1896
Image of Portrait of Chief Leschi painted 1950-1960, artist unknown

Portrait of Chief Leschi painted 1950-1960, artist unknown

Leschi was born to Nisqually and Yakama parents and grew up among the Nisqually people. When he was 25 years old, the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) built a fort at the mouth of the Nisqually River, and soon the HBC was farming throughout the plain. Leschi was working for the HBC in 1848 when Oregon Territory was created. Two years…
ID Number:2005.16.1
Date:1950-1960
Image of Handmade wooden salt grinder, 1880-1890

Handmade wooden salt grinder, 1880-1890

August Wenzel, a German immigrant, made this salt grinder. He operated a meat market, blacksmith shop, cooperage, and brewery in Seattle in the late 1880s and 1890s. August Wenzel also made beer barrels for the Hemrich Brothers Brewery, which later became Rainier Brewery.
ID Number:2005.60.1
Date:1880-1890
Image of Robert Moran's wallet from when he first arrived in Seattle, ca. 1875

Robert Moran's wallet from when he first arrived in Seattle, ca. 1875

Robert Moran arrived in Seattle in 1875 with this empty wallet, but soon he became a successful shipbuilder and served as the city's mayor from 1888-1890.
ID Number:2006.35.160
Date:Circa 1875
Image of Print,

Print, "The Battle of Seattle, January 26, 1856" and featuring the USS Decatur, by Mark Myers, 1987

This colored print features the USS Decatur which was an armed vessel anchored in Elliott Bay during the "Battle of Seattle" that took place on January 26, 1856. On this day, the native peoples in the area attacked the newly arrived white settlers who took refuge in the blockhouse or on the Decatur which proceeded to fire shells toward land.…
ID Number:2006.60.1
Date:1987
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Land Acknowledgement

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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