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HomeCollections and ResearchCollections Search

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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.

Download lower resolution images directly from an item page. MOHAI offers high-resolution digital reproductions of photographs and other materials from our collections for personal and professional use.

We have many more items in our collections and not everything you see online is on view at the museum. We have additional materials online at the University of Washington’s Digital Collections.

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707 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Steam shovel and locomotive at Denny regrade site, Seattle, circa 1909
Photograph

Steam shovel and locomotive at Denny regrade site, Seattle, circa 1909

Handwritten on sleeve: Train & Steam Shovel at 2nd & Virginia.Photographer's Reference Number: 9035
ID Number:1983.10.8130
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Two women at Wilson's Modern Business College, circa 1909
Photograph

Two women at Wilson's Modern Business College, circa 1909

Wilson's Modern Business College taught a variety of courses to prepare Seattle men and women for jobs in business. In this photo, taken in about 1909, two women operate a copying machine. Webster & Stevens number: 11511
ID Number:1983.10.8483
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Street sweeper, circa 1912
Photograph

Street sweeper, circa 1912

Before 1908, when the city of Seattle took over the maintenance of city streets, streets were cleaned (or not cleaned) by local residents and business owners. Manure was a particular problem because most vehicles of the time were pulled by horses and other animals. The city hired people to clean the manure and garbage from the streets. In this photo,…
ID Number:1983.10.8653.1
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Street sweeper at work, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Street sweeper at work, Seattle, circa 1910

Before 1908, when the city of Seattle took over the maintenance of city streets, streets were cleaned (or not cleaned) by local residents and business owners. Manure was a particular problem because most vehicles of the time were pulled by horses and other animals. The city hired people to clean the manure and garbage from the streets. Photographer's Reference Number:…
ID Number:1983.10.8654
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Street sprinkler, circa 1912
Photograph

Street sprinkler, circa 1912

In 1913, Seattle had over 927 miles of streets, of which 179 were paved, 139 were planked with wood, and 609 were dirt. Starting in 1908, the city hired people to keep the streets clean and in good shape.In this photo, taken sometime between 1910 and 1914, a street washer drives his water wagon along a brick-paved street in a…
ID Number:1983.10.8655
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Candy makers at Augustine & Kyer, 1913
Photograph

Candy makers at Augustine & Kyer, 1913

Augustine & Kyer was a wholesale and retail grocery firm with stores in downtown Seattle and in the Queen Anne and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. Among other things, the company sold hand-dipped chocolates.In this photo, two women talk as they dip candy centers into pools of chocolate. They are making the candies for Augustine & Kyer's grocery stores.
ID Number:1983.10.8726
Date:1913
Image of Tending irrigation ditches in an orchard near Yakima, circa 1913
Photograph

Tending irrigation ditches in an orchard near Yakima, circa 1913

Farmers need a good and dependable supply of water to raise crops on the dry lands of eastern Washington. Native Americans and settlers began the practice of irrigating their crops with water from the six rivers that feed into the Columbia River. It would be impossible for Washington to grow its important fruit crops without such irrigation.In this photo, taken…
ID Number:1983.10.8811
Date:Circa 1913
Image of Great Northern Railway wreck at Wellington, circa 1909
Photograph

Great Northern Railway wreck at Wellington, circa 1909

As a safety measure, the Great Northern Railway built a so-called runaway track off the main line near the summit of Stevens Pass, at Wellington, Washington. The switch was always set so that trains on the steep downhill run would be diverted to this spur unless the engineer signaled that the train was under control. Sometime around 1909, a Great…
ID Number:1983.10.8960
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Threshing wheat at harvest time, near Waterville, circa 1907
Photograph

Threshing wheat at harvest time, near Waterville, circa 1907

Much wheat is grown in eastern Washington. During the harvest, the threshing process separates the grain from the rest of the plant. In the early 1900s, many farmers used steam-powered, belt-driven threshing machines. Instead of buying their own machines, farmers often hired migrant laborers and their equipment for the harvest season.This photo, taken around 1907 by eastern Washington photographer Alfred…
ID Number:1983.10.9047
Date:Circa 1907
Image of Webster & Stevens photographic firm owners and staff , circa 1912
Photograph

Webster & Stevens photographic firm owners and staff , circa 1912

Photographers Ira J. Webster and Nelson N. Stevens arrived in Seattle from Michigan in 1899. After working for other Seattle photographers, they opened their own firm in 1902. Between 1906 and 1923, Webster & Stevens took many of the photos for The Seattle Times. The company also did work for other local businesses and individuals.In this photo, taken around 1912,…
ID Number:1983.10.9411
Date:Circa 1912
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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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