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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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154 results for: American House

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Image of Vince Giuffre making pizza, Seattle, 1954
Photograph

Vince Giuffre making pizza, Seattle, 1954

Vince Giuffre owned Italian Spaghetti House and Pizzeria in 9824 Bothell Way in the mid 1950s. At the time, pizza was still being introduced on the West Coast and considered a novelty.This portrait of Giufree was part of a feature in the Seattle Times that went through the steps of making pizza, which was documented by photographer Josef Scaylea. Scaylea…
ID Number:Lib1993.20.152
Date:1954
Image of Toyo Cinema marquee, Seattle, July 1986
Photograph

Toyo Cinema marquee, Seattle, July 1986

Toyo Cinema was a movie theater near the intersection of Rainier Avenue S. and S. Orcas Street in Seattle. The building was completed in 1921 and first housed the American Theatre, and later the Beaux Arts Theater. In the mid-1960s, it became the Toyo Cinema, which primarily showed Japanese language films subtitled in English. The Toyo showed new releases, which…
ID Number:Lib1993.41.1.9.1
Date:1986
Image of Exterior of Toyo Cinema, Seattle, July 1986
Photograph

Exterior of Toyo Cinema, Seattle, July 1986

Toyo Cinema was a movie theater near the intersection of Rainier Avenue S. and S. Orcas Street. The building was completed in 1921 and first housed the American Theatre, and later the Beaux Arts Theater. In the mid-1960s, it became the Toyo Cinema, which primarily showed Japanese language films subtitled in English. The Toyo showed new releases, which often filled…
ID Number:Lib1993.41.1.9.2
Date:1986
Image of Community Chest brochure
Ephemera

Community Chest brochure "Neighborhood House," 1953

Neighborhood House, founded in 1906, was originally created to serve as a settlement house for new Jewish immigrants in order to help them "integrate into American life." It later expanded its services to include "people of all ages, all faiths, all races." Operating under the Red Feather Agency, the Neighborhood House was a "pioneer member of Community Chest" as well…
ID Number:MS.COLL.1444
Date:1953
Image of Racist graffiti in front of Japanese American home, Seattle, May 11, 1945
Photograph

Racist graffiti in front of Japanese American home, Seattle, May 11, 1945

On December 18, 1944, the United States government announced that Japanese Americans in incarceration camps could return to their homes after January 1, 1945. In Seattle, and elsewhere on the West Coast, this was a controversial issue. When the first returnees arrived in Seattle in January, some found a cold welcome and vandalized property. Groups like the Remember the Pearl…
ID Number:PI28083
Date:1945
Image of Graffiti on Japanese American home, Seattle, 1945
Photograph

Graffiti on Japanese American home, Seattle, 1945

On December 18, 1944, the United States government announced that Japanese Americans in incarceration camps could return to their homes after January 1, 1945. In Seattle, and elsewhere on the West Coast, this was a controversial issue. When the first returnees arrived in Seattle in January, some found a cold welcome and vandalized property. Groups like the Remember the Pearl…
ID Number:PI28084
Date:1945
Image of Dexter Horton home, 3rd and Seneca, Seattle, circa 1875
Photograph

Dexter Horton home, 3rd and Seneca, Seattle, circa 1875

In 1853 Dexter Horton (1825-1904) came to Seattle with his first wife, Hannah Eliza (Shoudy) Horton (1828-1871), and their daughter, Rebecca. Developing a reputation as an honest businessman, he established the city's first real bank. Horton was also a founding volunteer in various social organizations, including the Seattle Library Association in 1873 and the Seattle Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)…
ID Number:SHS243
Date:Circa 1875
Image of Members of Seattle Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 2nd and Columbia, Seattle, 1883
Photograph

Members of Seattle Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 2nd and Columbia, Seattle, 1883

The creation of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) can be traced back to July 6th, 1876, when the all-volunteer Seattle Engine Company No.1 was organized. In 1883, the City Charter was amended to create and fund equipment, but not staff, for a centralized municipal fire department. The volunteer-based system persisted until pressure from the insurance industry and citizens after the…
ID Number:SHS323
Date:1883
Image of Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883
Photograph

Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883

n the 1880s, Seattle's business district was near Pioneer Square. Loggers, miners, and others came to this part of the city to find work, supplies, and entertainment. Others came to Seattle to attend the Territorial University, which stood on a hill above the city.This photo, taken around 1884, shows the intersection of Commercial Street (now First Avenue South) and Main…
ID Number:SHS470
Date:1880
Image of Commercial Street in snow, Seattle, January 10, 1880
Photograph

Commercial Street in snow, Seattle, January 10, 1880

In the 1880s, Seattle's business district was near Pioneer Square. Loggers, miners, and others came to this part of the city to find work, supplies, and entertainment. Others came to Seattle to attend the Territorial University, which stood on a hill above the city .This photo, taken in 1880, shows the intersection of Commercial Street (now First Avenue South) and…
ID Number:SHS613
Date: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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