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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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412 results for: Retail and Department Stores

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Image of Felt hat with leather brim, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1990-1999

Felt hat with leather brim, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1990-1999

This hat was made by milliner Wayne Wichern, formerly of Seattle. He is quoted as saying, "By putting on a hatwe become a different person. We are becoming the theater instead of the observer." He started making hats in 1986 and now currently resides in California.
ID Number:2002.77.4
Date:Circa 1990-1999
Image of Hat with striped ribbon, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1988-1992

Hat with striped ribbon, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1988-1992

This hat was made by milliner Wayne Wichern, formerly of Seattle. He is quoted as saying, "By putting on a hatwe become a different person. We are becoming the theater instead of the observer." He started making hats in 1986 and now currently resides in California.
ID Number:2002.77.7
Date:Circa 1988-1992
Image of Straw hat with frog closure, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1990-1999

Straw hat with frog closure, made by Wayne Wichern, ca. 1990-1999

This hat was made by milliner Wayne Wichern, formerly of Seattle. He is quoted as saying, "By putting on a hatwe become a different person. We are becoming the theater instead of the observer." He started making hats in 1986 and now currently resides in California.
ID Number:2002.77.8
Date:Circa 1990-1999
Image of Gore-Tex hooded rain jacket from Mountain Safety Research (MSR), ca. 1976

Gore-Tex hooded rain jacket from Mountain Safety Research (MSR), ca. 1976

Seattle-based company MSR was one of the first to use Gore-Tex for recreational wear. The revolutionary material is water-repellent, moisture wicking, and breathable, but it was pricey. Originally worn strictly for outdoor adventures, expensive high-tech gear like this jacket has found its way into daily city wear, becoming a Seattle status symbol. An MSR employee test-wore this before Gore-Tex jackets…
ID Number:2003.32.1
Date:Circa 1976
Image of Pair of silver wedding shoes, ca. 1922

Pair of silver wedding shoes, ca. 1922

This pair of women's silver metallic thread shoes were worn by donor's mother her wedding day in 1922, with a matching dress and veil. They were purchased from Baxter's, an early Seattle retailer.
ID Number:2003.48.3
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Bartell Drugs waitress apron, ca. 1940s-1950s

Bartell Drugs waitress apron, ca. 1940s-1950s

Bartell Drugs, established in 1890, is one of the oldest family-owned Seattle stores still in business. Waitresses at the lunch and soda fountains wore these aprons as part of their uniforms in the 1940s-1950s.
ID Number:2004.66.1
Date:Circa 1940-1950
Image of Building plaque for The Bon Marché, ca. 1929

Building plaque for The Bon Marché, ca. 1929

The Bon Marché was one of Seattle's first department stores. The chain was launched in 1890 and enjoyed popularity and success throughout most of the 20th century until the brand was absorbed by Macy's.
ID Number:2005.22.3
Date:Circa 1929
Image of Native American carved figure for cigar store, ca. 1850

Native American carved figure for cigar store, ca. 1850

These life-sized wooden figures, popular from 1840–1890, stood at tobacco shop doorways. Some were attached or chained to the store front; others, such as this figure, were placed on wooden platforms that could be wheeled inside and out. The Native American figure alluded to the fact that the these cultures introduced Europeans to tobacco during the 1600s. This wooden sculpture,…
ID Number:2005.33.1
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Cane box used for packing chocolate at Gillman's Candies store, ca. 1920s

Cane box used for packing chocolate at Gillman's Candies store, ca. 1920s

Gillman Brothers Confections and Produce opened in 1916 on 1st Ave in Seattle. The boxes were imported from China to pack chocolates for sale during the holiday season. There is also a 1919 image of Gillman's Candies store in the Pemco-Webster-Stevens collection at MOHAI.
ID Number:2005.43.1
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Sign for David Ishii Bookseller located in Pioneer Square, 1972

Sign for David Ishii Bookseller located in Pioneer Square, 1972

David Ishii (1936-2012) owned a local favorite secondhand bookstore that was a Pioneer Square fixture from 1972 to 2005. His store featured, among other things, books on fly-fishing, baseball, opera, dogs, and he especially promoted artwork and literary works by Asian American artists and authors.
ID Number:2005.64.2
Date:1972
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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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