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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 Blue Chinese pattern plate belonging to Louisa Boren Denny, ca. 1853

Blue Chinese pattern plate belonging to Louisa Boren Denny, ca. 1853

Mrs. Louisa Boren Denny, the first non-native bride in Seattle, received this blue pattern plate from her mother in 1903.
ID Number:1960.2057
Date:Circa 1853
Image of Hand woven coverlet once owned by Catherine Maynard, ca. 1830

Hand woven coverlet once owned by Catherine Maynard, ca. 1830

Catherine Broshears brought this woolen coverlet west from Kentucky in 1852. Her grandmother had originally woven it for Catherine’s mother. Catherine’s mother and husband both died on the westward journey, and she married David Maynard in 1853, shortly before they moved to Seattle from Brush Prairie, near Olympia. Like many coverlets of its time, this one was woven in two…
ID Number:1961.2227.1
Date:Circa 1830
Image of Child's rocking chair, 1880

Child's rocking chair, 1880

This rocking chair was made in 1880 by Michael Wunder for his daughter Miss Rosa Wunder. They lived in Seattle.
ID Number:1961.2228.9
Date:1880
Image of David Denny's pocket watch, ca. 1805-1829

David Denny's pocket watch, ca. 1805-1829

This pocket watch, made by a watchmaker in Liverpool, England, was owned by David Denny. Like all immigrants to the Pacific Northwest, he brought his most precious belongings like this watch, a compass, a flute, a fife, and other mementos. If you look closely, the center of the watch face features a tiny etching of what appears to be a…
ID Number:1961.2230
Date:Circa 1805-1829
Image of Blue and white printed cotton wrapper, 1850s-1860s

Blue and white printed cotton wrapper, 1850s-1860s

The realities of frontier life necessitated practical choices and garments that could serve multiple purposes. This 19th-century garment is known as a wrapper. It features a loose-fitting front that could be worn without a corset, at a time when women wore corsets for nearly every occasion. Wrappers were worn as casual home-wear. They were popular as dressing gowns, as maternity…
ID Number:1961.2392.6C765
Date:Circa 1850-1860
Image of Sword in case with extra scabbard, 1863

Sword in case with extra scabbard, 1863

The inscription on the extra scabbard reads: "Presented to Maj. Granville O. Haller, 7th Inft. USA, Commandant of Gnl Headquarters by the Officers of the 93d N.Y. Vols. Headquarters Guard, 'Army of the Potomac', as a token of regard for his social qualities as a gentleman and his military ability as an officer, Camp near Falmouth, Va., Jan. 1, 1863."…
ID Number:1961.2476.29
Date:1863
Image of Colt revolver, ca. 1870

Colt revolver, ca. 1870

This is a five shot cap and ball percussion revolver once owned by John Cornelius Holgate, an early white settler in the Pacific Northwest. This model is called the Colt Model 1862 Police Revolver and these models were made from 1861-1873.
ID Number:1962.2529.1
Date:Circa 1870
Image of Orion Denny's black wool overcoat, ca. 1900

Orion Denny's black wool overcoat, ca. 1900

This elegant caped Chesterfield coat with its velvet collar belonged to Orion O. Denny (1853-1916). He was the son of Seattle pioneers Arthur Denny and Mary Boren Denny, and the first non-Indigenous boy to be born in Seattle. The tight weave of the wool and the attached cape were ideal for Seattle's rainy winter weather. The body of the coat…
ID Number:1962.2629.1C838
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Handmade wooden box or wall file, ca. 1860-1870

Handmade wooden box or wall file, ca. 1860-1870

It is thought that Josiah J. White, early Seattle settler, made this wall file out of a cigar box. It was probably meant to hold mail, papers, keys or other trinkets.
ID Number:1962.2682.38
Date:Circa 1860-1870
Image of Butter mold, 1860-1880

Butter mold, 1860-1880

This butter mold was owned by the McCallister/Mercer family who were early European settlers in Seattle.
ID Number:1962.2723.5
Date:1860-1880
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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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