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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: Police and Law Enforcement

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Image of Blackjack belonging to law officer in Aberdeen, Washington, ca. 1890

Blackjack belonging to law officer in Aberdeen, Washington, ca. 1890

Blackjacks, also known as billy clubs or saps, were a common weapon for law enforcement in the late 18th and early 20th centuries.
ID Number:1973.5731.1
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Collection of four bullet shell casings from the Everett Massacre in 1916

Collection of four bullet shell casings from the Everett Massacre in 1916

Four bullet shell casings gathered by Arthur Riggs who was present during the 1916’s Everett Massacre, a confrontation between citizen and sheriff deputies and demonstrating members of the International Workers of the World union (IWW). About 300 IWW members met in Seattle, boarded the steamers Verona and Calista, and headed to Everett. The Verona arrived first to be met by…
ID Number:1980.6886.74
Date:1916
Image of Air Raid Warden's badge #100, Police Department, City of Seattle, ca. 1940

Air Raid Warden's badge #100, Police Department, City of Seattle, ca. 1940

During WWII, there were fears that cities in the United States would be bombed like England was during the blitz. President Roosevelt formed the Office of Civilian Defense to organize communities of volunteers. Air Raid Wardens educated their neighbors about blackouts and air raid procedures, ran drills, and did patrols at night.
ID Number:1980.6898.2
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Seattle Air Raid Warden badge, 1941-1945

Seattle Air Raid Warden badge, 1941-1945

During WWII, there were fears that cities in the United States would be bombed like England was during the blitz. President Roosevelt formed the Office of Civilian Defense to organize communities of volunteers. Air Raid Wardens educated their neighbors about blackouts and air raid procedures, ran drills, and did patrols at night.
ID Number:1980.6898.3
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Badge,

Badge, "Inspector, American Protective League, Auxiliary to U.S. Dept. of Justice, F 68," ca. 1917

The American Protective League was an organization of private citizens who spied on and reported the activities of suspected German sympathizers during WWI, as well as other “radicals” who were considered a threat to the war effort. The latter included left-wing labor and political organizations, anarchists, and anti-war activists. The APL was sponsored by the United States Department of Justice…
ID Number:1982.178.43
Date:Circa 1917
Image of Cable tie handcuffs from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle, 1999

Cable tie handcuffs from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle, 1999

The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns. Heavy police response included the use of riot gear, tear gas, and rubber…
ID Number:1999.69.3
Date:1999
Image of Rubber bullets from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle, 1999

Rubber bullets from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle, 1999

The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns. Heavy police response included the use of riot gear, tear gas, and rubber…
ID Number:1999.69.47.ONLINE
Date:Circa 1999
Image of Gas mask used by WTO protester, 1999

Gas mask used by WTO protester, 1999

The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as the WTO's favoring of corporate interests over social and environmental concerns. Heavy police response included the use of riot gear, tear gas, and rubber…
ID Number:1999.72.1
Date:Circa 1970-1990
Image of Microphone used by Elise Olmstead in the very first broadcast in Seattle, ca. 1925

Microphone used by Elise Olmstead in the very first broadcast in Seattle, ca. 1925

Elise Olmstead, originally from England, was the second wife of Roy Olmstead, one of the most notorious bootleggers in King County during the Prohibition years of the 1920s. In October of 1924, the couple started a radio station called KFQX. There was a studio in the Smith Tower but mostly Elise did the broadcast from their Mt. Baker home. The…
ID Number:2007.1.154.1
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Drawing of Luke May by Tom Renton, ca. 1930s

Drawing of Luke May by Tom Renton, ca. 1930s

Luke May (1892-1965) came to Seattle in 1919. He was given the nickname "America's Sherlock Holmes" because he was an early scientific detective - one of the first to provide forensic and scientific methods as part of crime investigation. In 1922, he debuted his invention, the "Revelareoscope," a giant microscope that could project images of more than one object or…
ID Number:2009.36.3
Date:Circa 1930
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