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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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1580 results for: City of Seattle

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Image of Jessie Grimes with two members of the Royal Esquire Club, Seattle, September 11, 1949
Photograph

Jessie Grimes with two members of the Royal Esquire Club, Seattle, September 11, 1949

The Royal Esquire Club is a private African American men's club in Seattle, founded in 1947 by five young Black men since there was no other welcoming venue in the city where they could socialize. Still active as of 2025 and now located in the Columbia City neighborhood, the club provides a space for social interaction, education, and entertainment for…
ID Number:2014.49.010.003.0173
Date:1949
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Three unidentified men and a woman assemble the City Light tile mosaic mural, which features the sun and the words, "That Man May Use it Freely." The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.025.0054
Date:1958
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Two unidentified men and a woman assemble the City Light tile mosaic mural, which features the sun and the words, "That Man May Use it Freely." The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.026.0055
Date:1958
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Here, two unidentified men prepare a segment of the City Light mosaic mural. The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.026.0056
Date:1958
Image of Festival queen waving from car during parade, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Festival queen waving from car during parade, Seattle, circa 1950

Jessie Grimes, the International Festival Queen, waves to the crowd on Jackson Street from a Cadillac sponsored by Royal Esquires Club, a private club which still exists in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. In the early 1950s, Seattle’s Filipino, Black, Chinese and Japanese communities selected a royal court to represent them for the festival. The African American community festival would later…
ID Number:2014.49.010.054.0111
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Group posing at Esquire dance, Seattle, April 9, 1950
Photograph

Group posing at Esquire dance, Seattle, April 9, 1950

The Royal Esquire Club is a private club which still exists in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. Here, at a Royal Esquire dance, eight people in suits and dresses pose for a photo. The first man on the left is Frank Fair, and the first man on the right is Bruce Rowell. To his right is Dorothy. The others are unidentified.
ID Number:2014.49.010.054.0112
Date:1950
Image of East Madison/East Union float in the Seafair International Parade, August 5, 1952
Photograph

East Madison/East Union float in the Seafair International Parade, August 5, 1952

Seattle’s 1952 Seafair celebrated the Centennial of the city’s founding. The many events included five parades in different parts of the city. The International Parade, on August 5, took place downtown, on Fourth Avenue and headed south into the Chinatown - International District.Starting that same year, Seattle’s Black community held a Mardi Gras festival that participated in Seafair. This photo…
ID Number:2014.49.11.01.107
Date:1952
Image of Ruby Chow float in the Seafair Parade, August 5, 1952
Photograph

Ruby Chow float in the Seafair Parade, August 5, 1952

Seattle’s 1952 Seafair celebrated the Centennial of the city’s founding. The many events included five parades in different parts of the city. The International Parade, on August 5, took place downtown, on Fourth Avenue and headed south into the Chinatown - International District. This photo, taken from the west side of Fourth Avenue, shows the Ruby Chow float in the…
ID Number:2014.49.11.01.109
Date:1952
Image of Chinese Dragon Dancers in the Seafair International Parade, August 5, 1952
Photograph

Chinese Dragon Dancers in the Seafair International Parade, August 5, 1952

Seattle’s 1952 Seafair celebrated the Centennial of the city’s founding. The many events included five parades in different parts of the city. The International Parade, on August 5, took place downtown, on Fourth Avenue and headed south into the Chinatown - International District.This photo shows the Loong, a 102-foot long dragon with its dancers, as they pass the Leavitt Brothers…
ID Number:2014.49.11.01.110
Date:1952
Image of Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948
Photograph

Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. On this occasion he photographed his close friend Joe Smith showing off his collection of hunting firearms.
ID Number:2014.49.011.024.0040
Date:Circa 1948
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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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