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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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65 results for: European Immigrants

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Image of Tobaggan for seven riders, ca. 1938

Tobaggan for seven riders, ca. 1938

John Lindstrom, a Swedish immigrant and shipwright, made this toboggan. He arrived in Preston in 1911, then moved to Lake Forest Park in 1923 with his family. John used a hand forge to form the metal parts of the toboggan, and the steering wheel was from an Essex automobile. His children rode the toboggan on the hilly roads of Lake…
ID Number:1976.6267
Date:Circa 1938
Image of Rose pink cloche sold at MacDougall & Southwick in Seattle, 1920s

Rose pink cloche sold at MacDougall & Southwick in Seattle, 1920s

This hat was sold at Seattle department store MacDougall & Southwick. In 1875 Polish immigrants Ferdinand Toklas (1845-1924) and Paul Singerman (1847-1915) opened a retail business which soon became the city's first department store. Originally located at Cherry and Front Street (later called 1st Avenue), the store moved and expanded multiple times and was an early adopter of new technologies…
ID Number:1977.6517.49M896
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Beige silk Givenchy pumps, ca. 1970

Beige silk Givenchy pumps, ca. 1970

These beige silk pumps were designed by Italian shoe designer Rene Mancini for the French fashion house Givenchy. They belonged to Seattleite Ann Dulien Diamond (1909-1984), who donated many high-fashion garments to MOHAI’s collection. She was born Ann Fabrikant in Russia (now Poland) in 1909 and came to the United States in 1911. She grew up in New York and…
ID Number:1978.6597.1
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Cream colored straw hat with black lace, 1947

Cream colored straw hat with black lace, 1947

This hat is woven out of Milan straw and trimmed with black chiffon and lace. It belonged to Seattleite Ann (Fabrikant) Dulien Diamond (1909-1984). She was born in Poland and immigrated to New York City with her family in 1911. There she met her first husband, Louis Theodore Dulien (1895-1979), with whom she moved to Seattle about 1935. The couple…
ID Number:1978.6597.25M919
Date:1947
Image of Compass owned by David Denny, ca. 1850

Compass owned by David Denny, ca. 1850

In 1851, Arthur Denny (1822-1899) led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped build the city of Seattle. Arthur's brother, David Denny (1832-1903) had arrived earlier that year to stake out the area. Like all immigrants, he brought his most precious belongings which included this brass compass.
ID Number:1979.6788.6
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Pocket directional compass that belonged to David T. Denny, ca. 1850

Pocket directional compass that belonged to David T. Denny, ca. 1850

In 1851, Arthur Denny (1822-1899) led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped build the city of Seattle. Arthur's brother, David Denny (1832-1903) had arrived earlier that year to stake out the area. Like all immigrants, he brought his most precious belongings which included this pocket compass.
ID Number:1979.6788.11
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Diploma awarded to Merlino Olive Oil, 1909

Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Diploma awarded to Merlino Olive Oil, 1909

Italian immigrants working in the coal mines of the Black Diamond/Ravensdale area wrote home asking friends and relatives to send foods they missed from Italy. Angelo Merlino, one of those miners, opened his first store in 1900. Angelo Merlino & Sons has been shipping cheese, olive oil and Mediterranean delicacies throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska ever since. The Merlino's…
ID Number:1996.48.1
Date:1909
Image of Olive oil can, from Merlino Olive Oil Company, 1985-1995

Olive oil can, from Merlino Olive Oil Company, 1985-1995

Italian immigrant Angelo Merlino founded Merlino Foods in 1900 and introduced olive oil to Seattle.
ID Number:1996.48.3
Date:1985-1995
Image of Watchmaker's workbench and tools, ca. 1930

Watchmaker's workbench and tools, ca. 1930

This workbench belonged to Aaron Yormark. He served a seven-year apprenticeship in the watchmaking trade in Perm located in the Ural mountains of Russia. With the turmoil in Russia at the end of WWI, he left his parents and siblings for Siberia to avoid conscription in the army. He met and married Anna Yavorsky in Vladivostock and they fled to…
ID Number:2001.83.1
Date:Circa 1930
Image of Cream silk satin evening dress, sold by Madame Thiry, ca. 1933

Cream silk satin evening dress, sold by Madame Thiry, ca. 1933

This silk dress with bias-cut panels has a label from “Madame Thiry,” a fashionable Seattle shop run by Louise Schwaebele Thiry. Thiry was born in Paris and came west in the early 20th century. Her fashion career started as a side business—importing goods from Paris to sell in Alaska and Seattle for supplementary income. After her husband left for WWI…
ID Number:2001.86.7C599
Date:Circa 1929-1933
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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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