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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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183 results for: European American Settlement

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Image of Oil portrait of John Webster by unknown artist, ca. 1880

Oil portrait of John Webster by unknown artist, ca. 1880

Oil portrait of John Webster (1817-1891). He came west around the Horn to the Pacific Coast in 1857, eventually moved to Seattle in 1880 after being a territorial representative, molder, blacksmith, and rancher. He retired and resided at 3rd Avenue and Madison Street. Webster also served as University of Washington Regent, organized and was the first president of the Seattle…
ID Number:1956.1164.1
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Painted portrait of Phoebe Anne Stowell Webster by unknown artist, ca. 1860-1880

Painted portrait of Phoebe Anne Stowell Webster by unknown artist, ca. 1860-1880

Phoebe Ann Stowell married John Webster in New York in the 1850s, but he soon travelled to the West Coast, with Phoebe and family joining him in Port Madison, Washington, in 1862. In 1880, they moved to Seattle to a home on 3rd Avenue and Madison Street where John retired. Phoebe died in 1886 and John died in 1891.
ID Number:1956.1164.2
Date:Circa 1860-1880
Image of Brass cornet with rotary valves, ca. 1850

Brass cornet with rotary valves, ca. 1850

This cornet belonged to George Frederick Frye (1833-1912), a German immigrant who came to the US at 16 years of age and arrived in Seattle in 1853. He brought this instrument with him and played in the first Seattle band.
ID Number:1957.1234.4
Date:Circa 1850
Image of Mess chest, ca. 1859

Mess chest, ca. 1859

This mess chest was used in a border dispute between the United States and British armies in the "Pig War" of 1859. It held the gold paid to soldiers of the British Army when the northwest boundary line between the original Oregon Territory and Canada was being settled. The slogan was "Fifty-Four-Forty or Fight," which represented the latitude boundary line…
ID Number:1957.1238.2
Date:Circa 1859
Image of Card table from the Bertrand Collins collection, 1840-1860

Card table from the Bertrand Collins collection, 1840-1860

This rosewood Classical Revival style game table was shipped around the Horn for Mrs. Jackling, of the Grennan-Jackling home in Utsaladdy on Camano Island. Mrs. Jackling was the mother of Mrs. John Collins, wife of the prominent businessman and Seattle mayor in 1873.
ID Number:1957.1257.4
Date:1840-1860
Image of Portrait of Mary Ann (Phelen) Smith, 1887

Portrait of Mary Ann (Phelen) Smith, 1887

Mary Ann Phelen (1845-1880) was born in Ireland and came to the US, arriving in Seattle possibly via Wisconsin before she was twenty years of age. She married Dr. Henry A. Smith in 1862 and they had seven daughters and one son. Dr. Smith was a physician, politician, and served as chair of the school board. Smith Cove, the site…
ID Number:1957.1285.2
Date:1887
Image of Bedstead, ca. 1865

Bedstead, ca. 1865

This bedstead was brought to the new city of Tacoma in 1874 by George Neal Alexander when he traveled north with the railroad from Oregon. His house, one of the first built in Tacoma, was located where the Hotel Donnelly stands today. Later, Alexander came to Seattle and was the Street Commissioner from 1885-1888 and from 1894-1896.
ID Number:1957.1298.1
Date:1865-1885
Image of Cast iron pan with separate cups, ca. 1860-1880

Cast iron pan with separate cups, ca. 1860-1880

Also known as a muffin pan, a gem pan, or a roll pan, this type of pan allows for multiple smaller items to be baked simultaneously. This pan belonged to Alexander Murray Gow, who came to Seattle in 1866. Gow married Anna Katherine Nagel and they had a 160-acre claim in the area between what is now Renton and Kent.…
ID Number:1957.1300.5
Date:Circa 1860-1880
Image of Powder horn, ca. 1790

Powder horn, ca. 1790

This powder horn was used by settlers who traveled from the midwest to Oregon via covered wagon in 1852.
ID Number:1957.1380.5
Date:Circa 1790
Image of Eyeglasses with metal rims and retractable bows, worn by Thomas B. Elder, a Seattle pioneer of 1883

Eyeglasses with metal rims and retractable bows, worn by Thomas B. Elder, a Seattle pioneer of 1883

These glasses were provided to Thomas Elder by early Seattle "Scientific Optician" H. Clay Eversole.
ID Number:1957.1381.4
Date:Circa 1883
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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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