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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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110 results for: Asian American

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Image of Brown earthenware jar or jug, ca. 1900

Brown earthenware jar or jug, ca. 1900

This earthenware jar is believed to have once been owned and used by a local Chinese laborer to store liquor. These jars were often found left in agricultural fields in the area.
ID Number:1946.393.4
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Painting of construction of the White-Henry-Stuart building by Fokko Tadama, 1914

Painting of construction of the White-Henry-Stuart building by Fokko Tadama, 1914

Once located on 4th Avenue and Union Street, the three attached structures of the White-Henry-Stuart building were built from 1908-1915. The building was demolished in 1974 to make way for the Rainier Bank Tower. The artist, Fokko Tadama (1871–1937), was born in India and immigrated to Seattle via New York around 1910. Already an established artist in Europe, Tadama held…
ID Number:1953.299.1
Date:1914
Image of Portrait of William H. Shoudy by unknown artist, ca. 1850-1900

Portrait of William H. Shoudy by unknown artist, ca. 1850-1900

William H. Shoudy was an early settler in Seattle, emigrating by covered wagon from Illinois in a party led by Thomas Mercer. Riding a wave of anti-Chinese sentiments that culminated in race riots, Shoudy was elected Mayor as representative of the People's Party in 1886. The People's Party supported the expulsion of all people of Chinese ancestry from Seattle, narrowly…
ID Number:1960.1854.1
Date:Circa 1850-1900
Image of Cup and saucer burned in Seattle Fire of 1889

Cup and saucer burned in Seattle Fire of 1889

The Great Fire of June 6, 1889 was a significant turning point in Seattle's history and changed both the physical and political landscapes of the city. The fire started in a paint and woodwork shop at Front and Madison and swept southward across 100 acres of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The inferno completely consumed the business district's wooden buildings,…
ID Number:1964.3482.1
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Opium scale found in Seattle street, ca. 1880s

Opium scale found in Seattle street, ca. 1880s

Henry Coffin stated that he found this scale on a street in downtown Seattle around the time of the Great Seattle Fire. He was a child when his family arrived in Seattle in the spring of 1889.
ID Number:1964.3482.2
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Japanese tea table, 1912

Japanese tea table, 1912

This bamboo table with removable tray was purchased at the Furuya Company in 1912, considered to be the only Japanese retailer in Seattle at that time. Masajiro Furuya, founder of this store, was born in Japan in 1862, immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1890, and settled in Seattle in 1892. He first opened a grocery store and tailor shop on…
ID Number:1968.4471.1
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Souvenir fan from the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) celebrating Japan Day, September 4, 1909

Souvenir fan from the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) celebrating Japan Day, September 4, 1909

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was held in Seattle in 1909. Various countries, states, and cities were celebrated on particular days during the run of the Exposition.
ID Number:1972.5545.1
Date:1909
Image of Armchair, part of a set that was imported for the Goon Dip family, ca. 1890-1910

Armchair, part of a set that was imported for the Goon Dip family, ca. 1890-1910

Imported for the Goon Dip family, this rosewood chair is hand-carved, with mother-of-pearl inlay. Typical of Chinese mortise and tenon joinery, there are no metal fasteners except the coins that hold the marble back splat in place. Because abstract landscapes or figures could be seen in cut marble, it was often used as a decorative element in Chinese furniture. In…
ID Number:1974.5914.1a
Date:1890-1910
Image of Side table part of a set belonging to Chinese consul Goon Dip, consul for Oregon, Washington and Idaho, 1880-1930

Side table part of a set belonging to Chinese consul Goon Dip, consul for Oregon, Washington and Idaho, 1880-1930

Imported for the Goon Dip family, this rosewood table is hand-carved, with mother-of-pearl inlay. In the late 19th century, Goon Dip arranged the emigration of Chinese labor for Northwest canneries. He also served as Chinese consul, and owned the Milwaukee Hotel in Seattle's Chinatown. His daughter, Lillian Goon Dip, was born in 1900, grew up in the family hotel, then…
ID Number:1974.5914.2
Date:1880-1930
Image of Chinese Theatrical Costume worn by Lillian Goon Dip, ca. 1890-1910

Chinese Theatrical Costume worn by Lillian Goon Dip, ca. 1890-1910

This two-piece theatrical costume belonged to Lillian Goon Dip (1900-1975) and she is shown wearing it in a circa 1925 photo in the MOHAI Collection (shs14125). Lillian was born Lillian Goon in Portland Oregon and spent most of her early life at the Milwaukee Hotel in Seattle’s Chinatown. Her father was Seattle’s Chinese consul and hotel owner, Goon Dip (circa…
ID Number:1974.5914.7
Date:1890-1910
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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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