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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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65 results for: European Immigrants

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Image of Oil portrait of Marie Thomsen by Roman Fekonja, 1895

Oil portrait of Marie Thomsen by Roman Fekonja, 1895

This portrait of Marie Thomsen, born Marie Nissen, was painted when she was 44 years old. She arrived in Seattle with her husband, Moritz Thomsen (1850-1932), in 1896. Moritz co-founded the Centennial Mill Company (now Krusteaz brand), and he was, at one time, president of fourteen corporations, including the Centennial Mill Company, and the Denny-Renton Clay & Coal Company. Little…
ID Number:1965.3758.5
Date:1895
Image of Wooden baby cradle made by Julius Christison, 1893

Wooden baby cradle made by Julius Christison, 1893

Julius Christison came from Denmark to Seattle in 1887. He worked as a cabinetmaker in one of Seattle's earliest furniture factories, the Hall & Paulson Furniture Company (established 1874). He was later employed as a carpenter by the Pacific Manufacturing Company. By 1899 he had adapted to modern mechanization sufficiently to work as a a "machine hand" at Rolfs and…
ID Number:1966.3878.49
Date:1893
Image of Straight razor from Vincent Amato's barber shop, ca. 1912

Straight razor from Vincent Amato's barber shop, ca. 1912

Italian American immigrant Vincent Amato came to Seattle in 1899. He owned a barbershop at 1311 East Jefferson in Seattle from 1912-1948.
ID Number:1966.3908.4
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Large spool of black thread, used by Seattle's first childrens' tailor, ca. 1915

Large spool of black thread, used by Seattle's first childrens' tailor, ca. 1915

Solomon Bierman Pruschansky came to Seattle from Dansig, Prussia, in 1915. His tailor shop was first located across from Broadway High School on Capital Hill in Seattle, then he moved to University Street across from the Olympic Hotel.
ID Number:1966.4043.1
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Air blower for a forge, ca. 1890

Air blower for a forge, ca. 1890

Norwegian immigrant Lars O. Brekke used this forge air blower in his Seattle home in the 1890s and in his blacksmith shop which he opened in Ballard in 1900. He worked as a shipsmith for machine work shops on the Seattle waterfront and as a railroad smith for the Columbia and Puget Sound Railway. Lars' son and grandson took over…
ID Number:1968.4350
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Occasional table, made by local Seattle furniture maker, John Emil Kuniholm, 1890-1920

Occasional table, made by local Seattle furniture maker, John Emil Kuniholm, 1890-1920

John Emil Kuniholm was a rattan furniture manufacturer in Seattle in the early 1900s. Born in Finland, John immigrated to the United States in 1890 and settled in Seattle where he made many different items with rattan including furniture, lamps, and vases.
ID Number:1970.4869.1
Date:Circa 1890-1920
Image of Grandfather's or tall case clock, ca. 1880

Grandfather's or tall case clock, ca. 1880

This tall case clock was brought to Seattle by Otto Ranke, a German immigrant buckmason and plasterer, who built his home on the corner of Terry and Madison Avenues in 1891. Moritz Thomsen, Seattle builder and founder of Centennial Mill Company among other ventures, bought Ranke's house along with the clock in 1901.
ID Number:1970.4974.5
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Claussen Brewing Association beer tray, ca. 1901-1915

Claussen Brewing Association beer tray, ca. 1901-1915

Tannhauser Brewery, founded by Hans Claussen, was located at 3455 21st Ave W. in Seattle. Claussen was a German immigrant who started several early Seattle brewing businesses. In 1901, after selling his other interests, Hans formed the Claussen Brewing Association.
ID Number:1971.5258.1b
Date:1901-1915
Image of Metal Tannhauser ashtray, ca. 1912

Metal Tannhauser ashtray, ca. 1912

Tannhauser Brewery, founded by Hans Claussen, was located at 3455 21st Ave W. in Seattle. Claussen was a German immigrant who started several early Seattle brewing businesses. In 1901, after selling his other interests, Hans formed the Claussen Brewing Association.
ID Number:1971.5258.1e
Date:1912
Image of Tin of olive oil from Merlino Olive Oil Company, ca. 1910

Tin of olive oil from Merlino Olive Oil Company, ca. 1910

Italian immigrants working in the coal mines of the Black Diamond/Ravensdale area wrote home asking friends and relatives to send foods they missed from Italy. Angelo Merlino, one of those miners, opened his first store in 1900. Angelo Merlino & Sons has been shipping cheese, olive oil and Mediterranean delicacies throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska ever since. Their olive…
ID Number:1972.5373.5.1
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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