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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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1183 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Attorney Lem Howell speaking to press, May 28, 1970
Photograph

Attorney Lem Howell speaking to press, May 28, 1970

On May 15, 1970, a Seattle police officer shot and killed Larry Eugene Ward (1947-1970) as he fled from police after attempting to light a bomb fuse at Hardcastle Realty at 23rd Avenue and Union Street in the Central Area. Police were alerted to the attempt by the FBI, who had been watching the property, expecting Black Panther involvement in…
ID Number:1986.5.52427.17
Date:1970
Image of Gertrude Ward and granddaughter, June 26, 1970
Photograph

Gertrude Ward and granddaughter, June 26, 1970

On May 15, 1970, a Seattle police officer shot and killed Larry Eugene Ward (1947-1970) as he fled from police after attempting to light a bomb fuse at Hardcastle Realty at 23rd Avenue and Union Street in the Central Area. Police were alerted to the attempt by the FBI, who had been watching the property, expecting Black Panther involvement in…
ID Number:1986.5.52482.19
Date:1970
Image of Boys Club members and men with map, Seattle, August 11, 1970
Photograph

Boys Club members and men with map, Seattle, August 11, 1970

In this image three Seattle University Boy's Club members, from left, Carl Lindsey, 11, Dennis Lindsey, 12, and Charles Black, 13, point to a map showing the 13 Seattle-King County Boys' Clubs. The Clubs were to be the beneficiaries of the annual "World's Biggest Rummage Sale," sponsored by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and local radio station KJR and held at Sick's…
ID Number:1986.5.52582.1
Date:1970
Image of Boys Club members and instructor building shelving, Seattle, August 11, 1970
Photograph

Boys Club members and instructor building shelving, Seattle, August 11, 1970

In this image Vocational Director at Rotary and Rainier Boys' Clubs Isaac Slade, right, shows Carl Ervin, 12, left and Marvin Williams, 15, how to operate a drill being used to construct display racks for the "World's Biggest Rummage Sale." The annual event, sponsored by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and local radio station KJR and held at Sick's Stadium August 22-23,…
ID Number:1986.5.52590.1
Date:1970
Image of Peggy Joan Maxie after election as State Representative, November 4, 1970
Photograph

Peggy Joan Maxie after election as State Representative, November 4, 1970

Peggy Joan Maxie (b. 1936) was the first Black woman elected to public office in Washington state. In 1970, she was elected by a wide margin to the State House of Representatives. From 1971 to 1982, Maxie served in position 2 in Washington’s 37th Legislative District, covering most of the Central Area and parts of Capitol Hill and downtown. Early…
ID Number:1986.5.53165.26
Date:1970
Image of Sam Smith in his office, February 1971
Photograph

Sam Smith in his office, February 1971

Sam Smith was the first African-American person to be elected to the Seattle City Council in 1968 and was on the Council until 1991, chairing many committees and serving as Council President from 1974-199 and 1986-1989. Smith also served in the Washington State Legislature for five terms, beginning with his election from the 37th district in 1958. He was born…
ID Number:1986.5.53800.10
Date:1971
Image of First UW Ethnic Cultural Center building, Seattle, 1971
Photograph

First UW Ethnic Cultural Center building, Seattle, 1971

The Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) at the University of Washington (UW) was founded after years of demands from nonwhite students, who made up a very small percentage of UW’s student body at the time. In 1968, the Black Student Union began to protest for the expansion of educational programs for minority students and for greater racial and ethnic diversity in…
ID Number:1986.5.54948.5
Date:1971
Image of Tommy Harper at bat for the Seattle Pilots, Seattle, 1969
Photograph

Tommy Harper at bat for the Seattle Pilots, Seattle, 1969

Tommy Harper (b. 1940) is a retired professional baseball player who played for Cincinnati, Cleveland, Seattle, Milwaukee, California (Anaheim), Oakland, and Baltimore during his 15-season career. He played all three outfield positions, was designated hitter, and played first, second, and third base across his time in Major League Baseball. In 1969, he played for the Seattle Pilots in their only…
ID Number:1986.5.56053.1
Date:1969
Image of Councilman Sam Smith addressing Women's Clubs,  March 1969
Photograph

Councilman Sam Smith addressing Women's Clubs, March 1969

Sam Smith was the first African-American person to be elected to the Seattle City Council in 1968 and was on the Council until 1991, chairing many committees and serving as Council President from 1974-199 and 1986-1989. Smith also served in the Washington State Legislature for five terms, beginning with his election from the 37th district in 1958. He was born…
ID Number:1986.5.56539.7
Date:1969
Image of Portrait of Beriah Brown, Seattle, circa 1890
Photograph

Portrait of Beriah Brown, Seattle, circa 1890

Beriah Brown (1815-1900), originally from New York, was an editor and politician who helped establish Seattle's journalistic and educational institutions. A vocal critic of President Lincoln and devoted to preserving state's rights to choose slavery, following Lincoln's assassination Mr. Brown was forced to flee San Francisco, where he edited the Daily Democratic Press. Arriving in Seattle around 1870, he launched…
ID Number:1989.80.1
Date:Circa 1890
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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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