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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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169 results for: Education

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Image of Miniature portrait of Lillian Bell Whittlesey by Ella Shepard Bush, 1913

Miniature portrait of Lillian Bell Whittlesey by Ella Shepard Bush, 1913

Lillian Bell Whittlesey (1861-1913) was a famous cultural leader of early Seattle. She taught music and was known to have a beautiful singing voice. The artist, Ella Shepherd Bush (1863-1948), was born in Illinois, studied art back East, then opened the Seattle Art School in 1894. She was a founding member of the Society of Seattle Artists, and wrote a…
ID Number:1914.1216.1
Date:1913
Image of Oil portrait of Arthur Armstrong Denny by Baron Holmfeld, 1896

Oil portrait of Arthur Armstrong Denny by Baron Holmfeld, 1896

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. He served as Seattle's first postmaster, was a delegate to the Washington Territorial Legislature, was one of King County's first commissioners, and he was instrumental in founding the University of…
ID Number:1948.421
Date:1896
Image of Portrait of Kikisoblu (Princess Angeline) by Jacob Elshin, 1940-1950

Portrait of Kikisoblu (Princess Angeline) by Jacob Elshin, 1940-1950

Jacob Elshin (1892 – 1976) was born in Russia but fled after the Bolsheviks took power in 1917 and settled in Seattle in 1923. He worked for the Public Works of Art Project in 1933 and his large-scale murals were prominently displayed in many local public buildings. Elshin also taught art at the Edison Technical School in Seattle. This portrait…
ID Number:1950.16
Date:Circa 1940-1950
Image of Portrait of John Wesley Maple, 1862

Portrait of John Wesley Maple, 1862

John Wesley Maple was the son of Jacob Maple, an early white settler, who came to the Puget Sound in 1851 a few months before the Denny party arrived on Alki. The Maple family settled along the Duwamish River on land that eventually became the site of present day Boeing Field.
ID Number:1952.327.1
Date:1862
Image of School desk from a University of Washington library, ca. 1880

School desk from a University of Washington library, ca. 1880

The donor stated that this desk, in the Gothic Revival style, was from a previous library at the University of Washington. More research on this desk is necessary to better understand its provenance.
ID Number:1953.298.1
Date:1875-1900
Image of Chip from the old forest maple tree on the original site of the University of Washington, ca.1880-1908

Chip from the old forest maple tree on the original site of the University of Washington, ca.1880-1908

This is a wood chip from an old and revered maple tree that was on the original site of the University of Washington which was located in downtown Seattle before moving to its current site. The tree was cut down in 1908 during the regrading projects in the city. The Olympic Hotel was later constructed on the site in 1924.
ID Number:1953.380.A
Date:Circa 1880
Image of Portrait of David T. Denny by Edwin Isaac Ames, 1894

Portrait of David T. Denny by Edwin Isaac Ames, 1894

David T. Denny (1832-1903) was the first of the Denny party to set foot on the shores of Puget Sound. He served in the organized militia, as a regent of the University of Washington, King County Treasurer, Probate Judge, Seattle School Board member and Seattle City Councilman. A respected businessman, Denny developed and consolidated the Seattle streetcar system. Artist Edwin…
ID Number:1954.541.a
Date:1894
Image of Souvenir cup and saucer, showing “State University, Seattle Wash,

Souvenir cup and saucer, showing “State University, Seattle Wash," 1895-1900

The University of Washington was founded as the Territorial University of Washington in 1861, with the first building located in downtown Seattle. Soon after Washington gained statehood, a new building was built in the area that the UW currently occupies. This souvenir cup shows that building, Denny Hall, which was completed in 1895. Even though the school’s official name at…
ID Number:1954.678.1A
Date:1895-1900
Image of Chalk slate, ca. 1850

Chalk slate, ca. 1850

This slate was used by Joseph Foster in his bachelor cabin in the 1850s. Foster, founder of the former town that bore his name (now Tukwila), was an early Washington Territory legislator and the first superintendent of schools in the area.
ID Number:1955.931.C
Date:Circa 1850
Image of End table with inlay and mother-of-pearl accents, 1915-1930

End table with inlay and mother-of-pearl accents, 1915-1930

This Colonial Revival end table came from the Foster family. Joseph Foster, who came to the Pacifc Northwest from Ohio and settled on the Duwamish River in 1852. Foster, founder of the former town that bore his name (now Tukwila), was an early Washington Territory legislator and the first superintendent of schools in the area.
ID Number:1956.1058.7
Date:1915-1930
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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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