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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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122 results for: Washington Territory

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Image of Portrait of Monsignor Francis X Prefontaine, ca. 1868

Portrait of Monsignor Francis X Prefontaine, ca. 1868

Father Francis X. Prefontaine (1838-1909) was born in Quebec and arrived in Seattle in 1867. He was the city's first resident priest and built Seattle's first Roman Catholic church, Our Lady of Good Help, located on Third Avenue and Washington Street. In 1877, he bought a soap factory and this became the site of the Sisters of Providence first hospital…
ID Number:1953.360
Date:Circa 1868
Image of Split cedar shingle and pieces of bark from the Denny House on Alki, 1851

Split cedar shingle and pieces of bark from the Denny House on Alki, 1851

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle. This shingle, donated by a descendent of those early settlers, was a part of the original cabin built by the Dennys when they first arrived on what was later called…
ID Number:1953.651.1
Date:1851
Image of Handmade pocket purse, ca.1847

Handmade pocket purse, ca.1847

This beaded purse belonged to Mary Ann Denny and was made around 1847. Born Mary Ann Boren, she was part of the first white family to settle in what was to become Seattle.
ID Number:1953.651.A.1
Date:1847
Image of Razor owned by Arthur Denny, 1861

Razor owned by Arthur Denny, 1861

In 1851, Arthur Denny, at the age of 29, led a contingent of his family west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest, where he helped found the city of Seattle.
ID Number:1953.651.B
Date:Circa 1861
Image of Cane made by Haida tribe, ca. 1880

Cane made by Haida tribe, ca. 1880

This cane was carved by a member of the Haida tribe and given to Puget Sound settler, Dr. J. C. Gosnell as a "Friendship Cane."
ID Number:1953.653
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Piece of wood from the Maple family wagon, 1862

Piece of wood from the Maple family wagon, 1862

A wood remnant of the lead wagon led by captain John W. Maple. The wagon train crossed the plains from Iowa to Seattle in 1862.
ID Number:1954.748.B
Date:1862
Image of Painting of Smith's Cove and Dr. Henry Smith's house by Emily Inez Denny, 1870-1880

Painting of Smith's Cove and Dr. Henry Smith's house by Emily Inez Denny, 1870-1880

This painting depicts the home of Dr. Henry A. Smith, who had come west by wagon in 1851. He was a physician who used his skills on the wagon train trip from the Midwest, in Seattle and in Snohomish, where he cared for Native Americans as he developed tidal land there. He was involved in Seattle politics, served as chair…
ID Number:1955.878.3
Date:1870-1880
Image of Altimeter and barometer used by David Denny, ca. 1850

Altimeter and barometer used by David Denny, ca. 1850

David T. Denny (1832-1903) was the first of the Denny party to set foot on the shores of Puget Sound. His brother Arthur Denny (1822-1899) was considered to be the leader of the “Denny Party” which travelled west from Illinois to the Pacific Northwest. When the group arrived in Portland, Oregon, David and John Low continued north to scout locations…
ID Number:1955.901.a
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Battle of Seattle

Battle of Seattle "Petticoat Flag," 1856

On the morning of January 26, 1856, the "Battle of Seattle" began when Native Americans raided the white settlement in what is now known as Seattle. Previously warned of the attack, most settlers had barricaded themselves in a blockhouse. Settlers say the women who sought shelter in the blockhouse used strips from their petticoats to sew this flag during the…
ID Number:1955.921.1
Date:1856
Image of Oil painting,

Oil painting, "Battle of Seattle, Jan. 26, 1856," by Emily Inez Denny, ca. 1890

On the morning of January 26, 1856, the "Battle of Seattle" began when Native Americans raided the white settlement in what is now known as Seattle. Previously warned of the attack, most settlers had barricaded themselves in a blockhouse. The attackers were driven off by artillery fire. The battle was the penultimate event in a series of armed conflicts, known…
ID Number:1955.921.2
Date:Circa 1890
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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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