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38 results for: Cultural Appropriation

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Image of Souvenir glass shovel from the 1911 Seattle Golden Potlatch celebration

Souvenir glass shovel from the 1911 Seattle Golden Potlatch celebration

The Seattle Potlatch was an annual event which began in 1911 to celebrate Seattle's prosperity after the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1897. This souvenir was collected at the Dreamland Pavilion, once located at the corner of Seventh and Union Street, where many of the Potlatch activities took place. The name "Golden Potlatch" appropriates a Chinook Jargon word describing a Native ceremony…
ID Number:2018.102.1
Date:1911
Image of Chinese takeout-style purse, 1998-2010

Chinese takeout-style purse, 1998-2010

This purse belonged to Louise McKinney (1930-2012), educator, community activist, arts patron, and wife of Reverend Samuel B. McKinney of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
ID Number:2019.105.12
Date:Circa 1998-2010
Image of Blanchet High School football jersey #96, 1995

Blanchet High School football jersey #96, 1995

Casey McNerthney was issued this football jersey as a freshman at Bishop Blanchet High School in 1995. The freshmen jerseys that year had been varsity jerseys from the previous year, so they felt imbued with a sense of importance for the new players. It was also the last year that Blanchet put “Braves” on the football jerseys. In the early…
ID Number:2022.28.1
Date:Circa 1995
Image of Seattle Totems goalie hockey stick signed by the 1958-1959 team players

Seattle Totems goalie hockey stick signed by the 1958-1959 team players

This signed hockey stick was used by goalie Bev Bentley who played for the Seattle Totems. The signatures feature players from the 1958-1959 team including: Bev Bentley (Goalie); Marc Boileau; Don Chiupka; Bill Davidson; Les Hunt; Gerry Leonard; Bill McFarland; Tom McVie; Jim Powers: Gordie Sinclair; Keith Allan (General Manager); and Dick Bielous (Trainer). The Totems won the Western Hockey…
ID Number:2022.32.1
Date:1958
Image of Outfit for

Outfit for "Billy Quan" sketch on Almost Live!, ca. 1988

Seattle television comedy show Almost Live! aired from 1984 to 1999 on KING5 in Seattle. In its earliest years, the show was like a local version of the Tonight Show, but in 1989 the format changed to be a 30-minute sketch comedy show. Recurring sketch “Mind your Manners with Billy Quan” was inspired by Japanese and Chinese action movies. Sketch…
ID Number:2024.22.1
Date:1988-1990
Image of Collection of autographed Seattle Rainiers baseballs, 1947-1964

Collection of autographed Seattle Rainiers baseballs, 1947-1964

The Seattle Rainiers were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 to 1906 and 1919 to 1968. Originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, they changed their name after being acquired by the Rainier Brewing Company, which was in turn named for nearby Mount Rainier. This collection of…
ID Number:2024.23.ONLINE
Date:1947-1964
Image of Child’s top hat worn for a performance at the Portola Theatre, 1919

Child’s top hat worn for a performance at the Portola Theatre, 1919

Virgina Slate wore this top hat with a child-sized tuxedo to perform the “Cakewalk” with her sister Betty at the Portola Theatre in 1919. The “Cakewalk” was a dance that originated among enslaved people to mock the formal dances of high-society slaveholders. Not understanding the mockery, white performers then replicated the dance in minstrel shows. Virgina and Betty were white…
ID Number:2024.58.1
Date:1929
Image of Poster for Golden Potlatch celebration, 1911

Poster for Golden Potlatch celebration, 1911

The Seattle Potlatch was an annual event to celebrate Seattle's prosperity after the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition held in 1909. The name "Golden Potlatch" appropriates a Chinook Jargon word describing a Native ceremony celebration and gift giving. It also reflects the importance of the Klondike Gold Rush to Seattle's growth. Many organizers and participants in the Golden Potlatch dressed in stereotyped imitations…
ID Number:Lib.SHS.18157
Date:1911
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