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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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357 results for: Homes and Housing

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Image of Wilsonian Apartment Hotel restaurant Seattle, circa 1923
Photograph

Wilsonian Apartment Hotel restaurant Seattle, circa 1923

The Wilsonian Apartment Hotel opened in Seattle’s University District on November 26, 1923. Its developers promoted it as the most elegant apartment hotel outside of New York City. The Wilsonian had restaurant facilities, lounges, and an adjacent ballroom. In addition to extended-stay residents and short-term visitors, the mixed-use complex hosted annual art auctions and a variety of University of Washington…
ID Number:1955.970.500.36.17
Date:1923
Image of Views of East Newton Street, Seattle, 1911 and 1912
Photograph

Views of East Newton Street, Seattle, 1911 and 1912

Seattle's Portage Bay-Roanoke-North Capitol Hill neighborhood is located at the far northern end of the north-south ridge that forms Seattle's Capitol, Renton, First, and Beacon hills. Development during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was spurred by the area's convenient location: close enough -- but not too close -- to downtown Seattle. Initially somewhat challenging to access, by 1906…
ID Number:1957.1279.1
Date:1911-1912
Image of Floor plan for Plywood Home of Living Light, Seattle World's Fair, circa 1961
Photograph

Floor plan for Plywood Home of Living Light, Seattle World's Fair, circa 1961

"This is the unusual floor plan of the Century 21 Plywood Home of Living Light, which will be built and exhibited at the Seattle World's Fair by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association in cosponsorship with Practical Builder magazine. The curved walls are continuous lengths of a special sandwich panel made up of outside layers of fir plywood with a plastic…
ID Number:1965.3598.10.3
Date:Circa 1961
Image of Home of Milnor and Milnora Roberts, Seattle, 1909
Photograph

Home of Milnor and Milnora Roberts, Seattle, 1909

In 1904, the Roberts family built a comfortable home on the northwest corner of the intersection of NE 45th Street and 15th Avenue NE, near the University of Washington campus. Milnor Roberts was the Dean of the UW College of Mines, and contributed to the founding of the University Book Store. His sister Milnora was active in Seattle women’s clubs,…
ID Number:1966.3954.1
Date:1909
Image of Horace C. Henry home, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

Horace C. Henry home, Seattle, circa 1920

One of Seattle's early residents, Horace Chapin Henry (1844-1928) was a businessperson who made a fortune with building contractor Henry Balch when they formed Henry and Balch, a construction company that won many contracts for railroads and roads throughout the United States. Work brought Henry to Seattle in late 1891, and he began to make investments in local businesses, later…
ID Number:1967.4235.6
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Horace and Susan Henry home, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Horace and Susan Henry home, Seattle, circa 1900

One of Seattle's early residents, Horace Chapin Henry (1844-1928) was a businessperson who made a fortune with building contractor Henry Balch when they formed Henry and Balch, a construction company that won many contracts for railroads and roads throughout the United States. Work brought Henry to Seattle in late 1891, and he began to make investments in local businesses, later…
ID Number:1967.4235.14a
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Sprinkling Privileges in Seattle, June 1901
Manuscript

Sprinkling Privileges in Seattle, June 1901

"Sprinkling Privileges in Seattle: A few sketches from life made during a casual ride in the residence district, on two successive evenings, in June 1901" is a manuscript containing six hand-colored pen and ink drawings of individuals watering their lawns and gardens. The sketches and accompanying captions poke fun at resident's frivolous use of the city's water supply, and may…
ID Number:1969.4689.3
Date:1901
Image of Youngs Bros. business card, circa 1890
Ephemera

Youngs Bros. business card, circa 1890

Luther Burns Youngs (1858-1923) came from Kentucky to Seattle in 1883. A carpenter by trade, he started a construction business that became quickly profitable in Seattle's booming population. According to Seattle city directories, there were 3,553 residents in 1880 and 43,835 residents in 1890. Already serving as a member of the Board of Public Works, Mr. Youngs was appointed superintendent…
ID Number:1969.5072.103
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Seattle Home Builder and Home Keeper, 1915
Book

Seattle Home Builder and Home Keeper, 1915

This book was written by W.W. (Willard W.) DeLong, a Seattle architect famous for Craftsman style bungalows, and his wife, Isabelle D. DeLong. Hardbound in a dark green cover, this volume has a depiction of a classic Seattle bungalow on the front and in gold lettering, the proverb "Be it Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like Home."Section I of…
ID Number:1972.5567.144
Date:1915
Image of Studio of Alonzo Victor Lewis, Seattle, circa 1923
Photograph

Studio of Alonzo Victor Lewis, Seattle, circa 1923

Alonzo Victor Lewis (1886-1946) was born in Utah, graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, and built this studio-home in Seattle at 2611 Eastlake Avenue in 1920. He was primarily known for his sculpture, but was also an excellent painter.This photo of Lewis's studio is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began…
ID Number:1974.5923.154.5
Date:Circa 1923
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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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