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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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91 results for: Politics and Politicians

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Image of Desk of Governor Isaac Stevens, ca. 1852-1853

Desk of Governor Isaac Stevens, ca. 1852-1853

Isaac Ingalls Stevens was the first governor of Washington Territory, appointed by President Franklin Pierce. Able, ambitious and determined, Stevens graduated first in his class at West Point, and rose quickly in the Engineers Corps, in combat during the Mexican War, and later in the Coast and Geodetic Survey. A lifelong Democrat, Stevens ran for the Territorial legislature, but his…
ID Number:1980.7094.417
Date:1825-1853
Image of Handmade Seattle flag made by Dr. Willard Goff, 1968

Handmade Seattle flag made by Dr. Willard Goff, 1968

Since the 1930s, the Seattle City Council made many attempts to adopt a city flag. This flag, designed by Dr. Willard Goff in 1968, was offered up to the council, but was rejected as too contemporary with its images of the Space Needle and the SuperSonic Transport (SST). The council eventually adopted a city flag designed by Councilmember Paul Kraabel…
ID Number:1982.109.710
Date:1968
Image of Pair of dark brown kid leather high laced boots, ca. 1916

Pair of dark brown kid leather high laced boots, ca. 1916

Mabel Frances Whalley Baer (1894-1985) was a lifelong Seattleite and daughter of State Senator John A. Whalley. These high laced kid shoes were sold by Turrell's, an early Seattle shoe retailer.
ID Number:1986.21.42
Date:Circa 1916
Image of Charm bracelet, 1875-1900

Charm bracelet, 1875-1900

This bracelet, comprised of earring pendants, monogrammed locket containing photos, and a child's ring with a garnet stone, belonged to Kate Stevens Bates, daughter of General Isaac Stevens, first Territorial Governor of Washington.
ID Number:1991.31.1.1
Date:1875-1900
Image of Button display for 1978 campaign,

Button display for 1978 campaign, "No on I-13"

In 1973, the City of Seattle adopted a fair employment ordinance which specifically prohibited discrimination against gay people in the workplace, followed by a fair housing ordinance in 1975. Initiative 13 was a 1978 attempt to repeal these ordinances and to dissolve the City of Seattle's Office of Women's Rights. Citizens to Retain Fair Employment (CRFE) sold pins in Seattle…
ID Number:2005.21.1
Date:1978
Image of Robert Moran's wallet from when he first arrived in Seattle, ca. 1875

Robert Moran's wallet from when he first arrived in Seattle, ca. 1875

Robert Moran arrived in Seattle in 1875 with this empty wallet, but soon he became a successful shipbuilder and served as the city's mayor from 1888-1890.
ID Number:2006.35.160
Date:Circa 1875
Image of Commemorative medal purchased at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) by Robert or John Moran, 1909

Commemorative medal purchased at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) by Robert or John Moran, 1909

These medals were given out as prizes to exhibitors at the Exposition but this one was specifically purchased as a souvenir by either Robert Moran or his son John. All the medals were originally bronze and then the gold and silver medals were plated. Typically the name of the winner was engraved on the reverse of the medal but this…
ID Number:2006.35.163
Date:1909
Image of Pin,

Pin, "Votes for Women W.F.L.", ca. 1907

The initials W.F.L. refers to the Women's Freedom League established in the United Kingdom in 1907. This organization inspired the citizens of Washington to enact women's suffrage for their state in 1910. The Washington law, however, allowed only those who could read and speak English to vote. Many women, includingimmigrant Asians and Native Americans, who were subject to other restrictive…
ID Number:2007.1.1
Date:Circa 1907
Image of Slade Gorton campaign pin, ca. 1981-1987

Slade Gorton campaign pin, ca. 1981-1987

Republican Slade Gorton’s skinny cat campaign pin purposefully contrasts a wealthy, corrupt fat cat. For his 1980 Senate bid against long-time Seattle politician Warren Magnusun, Gorton alluded to his lean budget as a campaign tactic. Gorton won the seat and took office in 1981.
ID Number:2007.56.2
Date:Circa 1981-1987
Image of Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) T-shirt, ca. 1970s

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) T-shirt, ca. 1970s

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was introduced in the US Congress for the first time in 1921 and has prompted conversations about the meaning of equality for women and men ever since. With the rise of the women's movement in the 1960s, the ERA garnered increasing support, was reintroduced to Congress in 1972, and was submitted to the state legislatures…
ID Number:2007.62.2
Date:Circa 1970
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