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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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135 results for: Popular Culture

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Image of Pair of Art Deco-style hatpins, ca. 1910s

Pair of Art Deco-style hatpins, ca. 1910s

These Art Deco style hatpins were a popular fashion accessory for Seattle women in the 1910s.
ID Number:2008.43.22
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Drinking glass with images of iconic smiley face, 1970s

Drinking glass with images of iconic smiley face, 1970s

The now-ubiquitous yellow smiley icon that graces this drinking glass was, according to one story, invented by David Stern, owner of an advertising agency based in Seattle.
ID Number:2009.91.3
Date:Circa 1970
Image of Nirvana,

Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," maxi-single compact disc, Sub Pop Records, Seattle, 1991

This is the breakout single by Nirvana, a band that had their beginnings in the Seattle grunge scene and widely popularized alternative rock. Members Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic were from Aberdeen, Washington.
ID Number:2011.92.37
Date:1991
Image of Travel coffee mug from PEMCO Insurance, featuring Northwest Profile #76: The Super-Long Coffee Orderer, ca. 2012

Travel coffee mug from PEMCO Insurance, featuring Northwest Profile #76: The Super-Long Coffee Orderer, ca. 2012

Local insurance company, PEMCO, produced an advertising campaign featuring a series of quirky Pacific Northwest people. This one highlights Northwest Profile #76: The Super-Long Coffee Orderer, which pokes fun on a coffee travel cup.
ID Number:2012.75.1
Date:2012
Image of Doll from

Doll from "Wunda Wunda," a Seattle children's television show starring Ruth Prins, and later from Ms. Prins' Magnolia preschool, ca. 1960s-1970s

This doll was used on the "Wunda Wunda" show, and then was later at a preschool in the Magnolia neighborhood where the donor's daughter was able to take her home with her.
ID Number:2013.19.1
Date:1960-1970
Image of Large model of Seattle for 1985 movie,

Large model of Seattle for 1985 movie, "Trouble in Mind"

Alan Rudolph directed the film, "Trouble in Mind," and he donated these three sections of a larger model of downtown Seattle. In the movie, Kris Kristofferson's character "makes" these models, but they were also used for filming scenes of Seattle. The camera would move along the streets, filming the buildings up close, to give the perspective of being in the…
ID Number:2013.37.1
Date:1984
Image of Seattle RainGlobe souvenir designed in Seattle, WA, ca. 2013

Seattle RainGlobe souvenir designed in Seattle, WA, ca. 2013

This RainGlobe souvenir was invented and developed by two Seattlelites as a more locally appropriate alternative to snowglobes. It includes miniature representations of landmarks such as the Space Needle, Mt. Rainier, and Pike Place Market.
ID Number:2013.41.1
Date:Circa 2013
Image of Librarian action figure inspired by Seattle librarian, Nancy Pearl, from the Seattle retail store Archie McPhee's, 2003

Librarian action figure inspired by Seattle librarian, Nancy Pearl, from the Seattle retail store Archie McPhee's, 2003

This action figure is based on Seattle librarian, best-selling author, and literary critic Nancy Pearl. The figure was sold in the Seattle chain of novelty stores, Archie McPhee, and features Pearl with a stack of books and a finger to her lips. She has been quoted as saying that the "push to shush" aspect of the action figure determines "which…
ID Number:2013.64.1
Date:2003
Image of Compact disc, Soundgarden,

Compact disc, Soundgarden, "Louder Than Love," A&M Records, Inc. © 1989

Soundgarden is an alternative rock band that formed in Seattle in 1984.
ID Number:2013.71.2
Date:1989
Image of Compact disc, Alice in Chains,

Compact disc, Alice in Chains, "Facelift," CBS Records, Inc. © 1990

“Facelift” was the debut studio album by the Seattle band Alice in Chains. The band included guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne Staley. The tracks "We Die Young", "Man in the Box", "Sea of Sorrow" and "Bleed the Freak" were released as singles. “Facelift” was certified gold on September 11, 1991…
ID Number:2013.71.3
Date:1990
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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.
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