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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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94 results for: Furniture

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Image of Small writing box or desk, 1840-1860

Small writing box or desk, 1840-1860

This portable desk which flips open to provide a flat writing surface and includes drawer compartments, belonged to John Bell, an early Seattle settler.
ID Number:1963.3059.1
Date:1840-1860
Image of Slat back side chair, 1860-1880

Slat back side chair, 1860-1880

This chair, one of twenty-five, was used in the First Washington Territorial Legislature. Established in 1853, the Washington Territory consisted of what is today Washington State, and part of Idaho and Montana. President Franklin Pierce appointed Isaac I. Stevens as the first Washington Territorial governor, and Stevens called for elections to the legislative assembly. The Legislature consisted of a nine-member…
ID Number:1963.3191.1
Date:1860-1880
Image of Bedstead made by Henry Van Asselt, 1857

Bedstead made by Henry Van Asselt, 1857

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:1964.3230.1
Date:1857
Image of Wicker crib, 1916

Wicker crib, 1916

Mrs. George Vincent of 4242 Phinney Avenue bought this crib in 1916 at Seattle's Frederick and Nelson Department Store for her baby daughter.
ID Number:1964.3349
Date:Circa 1916
Image of Child's potty chair and duty seat made by Julius Christenson, ca. 1893

Child's potty chair and duty seat made by Julius Christenson, ca. 1893

Julius Christison made this chair for his son, Frank, in 1893. Christison was an early Seattle white settler and woodworker.
ID Number:1966.3878.48
Date:Circa 1893
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 Papier-mâché tilt top table made in Great Britain, 1840-1855

Papier-mâché tilt top table made in Great Britain, 1840-1855

Papier-mâché, or paperware, is a form of paper pulp, glue, chalk and fine sand which is molded, baked, then lacquered. The process was first patented in Britain in 1772. Only a few pieces survive in museum collections, and MOHAI is fortunate to have this table in excellent condition. Early papier-mâché furniture pieces were decorated with gilding and mother of pearl.…
ID Number:1966.4005.1
Date:1840-1855
Image of Side chair made by Henry Van Asselt, ca. 1860

Side chair made by Henry Van Asselt, ca. 1860

Settlers to 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, and he made this slat-back side chair.
ID Number:1967.4096.1
Date:Circa 1860
Image of Desk of Arthur Denny, ca. 1850-1860

Desk of Arthur Denny, ca. 1850-1860

Arthur Denny used this, his personal desk, as the mail distribution desk when he was appointed Seattle's first postmaster on August 27, 1853.
ID Number:1968.4366.2
Date:1850-1860
Image of Side chair that belonged to David Denny, 1840-1880

Side chair that belonged to David Denny, 1840-1880

David Thomas Denny (1832-1903) was the younger brother of Arthur Denny and spouse to Louisa Boren. David, John Low, and Lee Terry arrived in the Puget Sound, specifically Alki Point, prior to the rest of the Denny Party in order to find a place to settle and build a cabin. David, along with his brother, were significant contributors to the…
ID Number:1968.4387.8
Date:1840-1880
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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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