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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.

Download lower resolution images directly from an item page. MOHAI offers high-resolution digital reproductions of photographs and other materials from our collections for personal and professional use.

We have many more items in our collections and not everything you see online is on view at the museum. We have additional materials online at the University of Washington’s Digital Collections.

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84 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Mamiya Medium Format Rangefinder camera used by photographer Al Smith, ca. 1949-1955

Mamiya Medium Format Rangefinder camera used by photographer Al Smith, ca. 1949-1955

This Mamiya medium format rangefinder camera belonged to Al Smith, a prominent local Black photographer who captured 65 years of Seattle history.
ID Number:2014.49.6.1
Date:Circa 1949-1955
Image of Canon Electronic Flash Speedlite 420EZ camera used by photographer Al Smith, ca. 1987

Canon Electronic Flash Speedlite 420EZ camera used by photographer Al Smith, ca. 1987

This Canon electronic flash camera belonged to Al Smith, a prominent local Black photographer who captured 65 years of Seattle history.
ID Number:2014.49.8.1
Date:Circa 1987
Image of Camera strap,

Camera strap, "Camera Caddy," ca. 1970s

This colorful camera strap belonged to Al Smith, a prominent local Black photographer who captured 65 years of Seattle history.
ID Number:2014.49.9
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Original

Original "On The Spot" rubber stamp used by photographer Al Smith to stamp photo credits on the back of his prints, ca. 1920s-1980s

This is the original, personalized stamp used to mark photographic prints by Al Smith, a prominent local Black photographer who captured 65 years of Seattle history.
ID Number:2014.49.13
Date:Circa 1920-1980
Image of Seattle SuperSonics binder with autographs by Gary Payton and Ervin Johnson, 1996

Seattle SuperSonics binder with autographs by Gary Payton and Ervin Johnson, 1996

Emily Kreidler, second grader at Wedgwood Elementary in 1996, won this binder as a prize for a reading contest. The binder was already autographed when she won it. She remembered watching the Sonics games on TV and being infatuated with Gary Payton, her favorite.
ID Number:2014.85.1
Date:1997
Image of Pair of souvenir paper dolls of Russell Wilson from Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014, when the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8

Pair of souvenir paper dolls of Russell Wilson from Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014, when the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 43-8

Russell Wilson (b. 1988) has been the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks since 2012. He has led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos in 2014.
ID Number:2014.SeahawksSuperBowl.Dolls
Date:2014
Image of Carved walking stick owned by artist Jacob Lawrence, ca. 1970-2000

Carved walking stick owned by artist Jacob Lawrence, ca. 1970-2000

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) was a Black artist known for his portrayal of Black life and his "dynamic cubism" style. Lawrence moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1970, to be an art professor at the University of Washington.
ID Number:2015.76.1
Date:Circa 1970-2000
Image of Rapper's Delight LP, The Sugar Hill Gang, 1979

Rapper's Delight LP, The Sugar Hill Gang, 1979

In 1979, local radio host Robert L. Scott became the first disk jockey to introduce Seattle to the Sugarhill Gang when he played “Rapper’s Delight” on KYAC 1250 AM.
ID Number:2015.96.1
Date:1979
Image of Jacket from “Boys Will B-Boys,” owned by Steve Sneed, 1987

Jacket from “Boys Will B-Boys,” owned by Steve Sneed, 1987

In 1987, Seattle theater company On the Boards presented the rap musical “Boys Will B-Boys” at Washington Hall Performance Gallery. It was directed by Steve Sneed, who ran the Madrona Youth Center at the time and managed Seattle’s pioneering hip-hop group the Emerald Street Boys. The Emerald Street Boys also worked as consultants for the show. These jackets were decorated…
ID Number:2016.18.1
Date:1987
Image of Matchbook from the China Pheasant Club in Seattle, ca. 1950

Matchbook from the China Pheasant Club in Seattle, ca. 1950

The China Pheasant Club once located on Marginal Way was owned by Wilmer Morgan, a Black person who also owned the Birdland Supper Club and the Mardi Gras Grill.
ID Number:2016.20.29
Date:Circa 1950
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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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