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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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283 results for: Retail and Department Stores

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Photograph

Crowd at opening of remodeled Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, August 4, 1952

The Frederick & Nelson flagship store at 5th Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Seattle underwent a major renovation from 1949-1952. The remodel added four and a half new floors, and completely rearranged, redecorated, and refurnished all departments. The new store, with 10 floors above ground and 2 below, celebrated its grand opening on August 4, 1952. A large crowd…
ID Number:1993.43.20.64.2
Date:1952
Photograph

Children's shop at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1925

The first Frederick & Nelson retail store opened in 1889, right after Seattle's great fire. By 1916, the company was doing so well that it built a large new store at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street, which many people thought was too far out of town. Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle's landmark companies for over a century. It…
ID Number:1993.43.21.1.1
Date:Circa 1925
Photograph

Dog drinking at "Dog Bar" at Frederick & Nelson Bellevue store, August 1956

Frederick & Nelson department store offered a variety of eating and drinking establishments for its human customers at its downtown Seattle flagship location and its branch stores. The Bellevue store apparently also offered its canine visitors a cool drink at the "Dog Bar," as shown in this photo.
ID Number:1993.43.21.7.1
Date:1956
Image of Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950

The first Frederick & Nelson retail store opened in 1889, right after Seattle's great fire. By 1916, the company was doing so well that it built a large new store at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street, which many people thought was too far out of town. Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle's landmark companies for over a century. It…
ID Number:1993.43.21.26.1
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950

The first Frederick & Nelson retail store opened in 1889, right after Seattle's great fire. By 1916, the company was doing so well that it built a large new store at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street, which many people thought was too far out of town. Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle's landmark companies for over a century. It…
ID Number:1993.43.21.26.2
Date:Circa 1950
Photograph

Santa and young boy in window of Frederick & Nelson department store, circa 1943

Seattle's Frederick & Nelson store celebrated the Christmas season with ornate decorations and holiday-themed events. A talented staff of designers worked year round to create the department store's decorations and displays. The store was most famous for its Christmas windows. Over the years, these colorful windows showcased toys, moving electric trains, live reindeer, a functioning skating rink, and Santa Claus…
ID Number:1993.43.21.30.1
Date:Circa 1943
Photograph

Children at Frederick & Nelson Christmas event, Seattle, circa 1962

Seattle's Frederick & Nelson store celebrated the Christmas season with ornate decorations and holiday-themed events. A talented staff of designers worked year round to create the department store's decorations and displays. The store was most famous for its Christmas windows. Over the years, these colorful windows showcased toys, moving electric trains, live reindeer, a functioning skating rink, and Santa Claus…
ID Number:1993.43.21.37.1
Date:Circa 1962
Photograph

Richard Nixon signing his book at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, August 10, 1962

Frederick & Nelson department store in downtown Seattle was a popular stopping point for authors and celebrities on book tours. On August 10, 1962, Richard Nixon appeared at Frederick & Nelson in conjunction with his book tour for "Six Crises," which examined six crises he'd experienced thus far in his political career as congressman, senator, and vice president. Both police…
ID Number:1993.43.21.39.1
Date:1962
Image of French gown shop at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

French gown shop at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1920

The first Frederick & Nelson retail store opened in 1889, right after Seattle's great fire. By 1916, the company was doing so well that it built a large new store at Fifth Avenue and Pike Street, which many people thought was too far out of town. Frederick & Nelson was one of Seattle's landmark companies for over a century before…
ID Number:1993.43.22.67.1
Date:Circa 1920
Image of REI catalog, 1963
Document

REI catalog, 1963

In 1938 outdoorspeople Lloyd and Mary Anderson, unable to find high-quality, inexpensive climbing gear, formed a co-op in Seattle through which climbers could pool their resources and buy gear in bulk from Europe and other places. With the help of a lawyer friend, the Andersons and 21 others officially formed a co-op, each paying a $1 lifetime membership fee. The…
ID Number:1998.60.13.1
Date:1963
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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.
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