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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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393 results for: Central Area

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Image of
Photograph

"Soul pole" arriving at Douglass-Truth Branch of Seattle Public Library, April 24, 1973

In this image Raqib Mu'ied (formerly Gregory X), at one time the art department director of the Rotary Boys Club, watches as the 21-foot high "Soul Pole, " a totem pole depicting African-American history given to the Library by members of the club, is erected at the Henry L. Yesler Memorial Branch (now Douglass-Truth Branch) of the Seattle Public Library.…
ID Number:2000.107.190.05.01
Date:1973
Image of Children crossing 32nd Ave. N. near Harrison School, Seattle, April 26, 1951
Photograph

Children crossing 32nd Ave. N. near Harrison School, Seattle, April 26, 1951

The intersection shown here is located at 32nd Avenue North and East Republican Street, in the Harrison/Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle's Central District. The intersection was described by residents at the time as a bad place for children to cross because there were no traffic lights. The cars in the picture are traveling north on 32nd Ave. as the children at…
ID Number:2000.107.190.06.02
Date:1951
Image of Sir Mix-A-Lot in his recording studio, Auburn, January 19, 1992
Photograph

Sir Mix-A-Lot in his recording studio, Auburn, January 19, 1992

Sir Mix-A-Lot (Anthony Ray) was born in Auburn, WA in 1963 and raised in Seattle's Central District. He was involved in the birth of hip-hop in Seattle in the early 1980s, and his first hit, "Posse on Broadway," was released in 1987. It describes a trip through Seattle’s Central Area and Capitol Hill and remains one of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s most…
ID Number:2000.107.198.16.01
Date:1992
Image of Sam Smith,  Edwin Pratt, and others at press conference, January 24, 1969
Photograph

Sam Smith, Edwin Pratt, and others at press conference, January 24, 1969

Sam Smith was the first African-American person to be elected to the Seattle City Council in 1968 and was on the Council until 1991, chairing many committees and serving as Council President from 1974-1979 and 1986-1989. Smith also served in the Washington State Legislature for five terms, beginning with his election from the 37th district in 1958.In January 1969, Councilman…
ID Number:2000.107.200.11.01
Date:1969
Image of UCWA members marching down Madison St., Seattle, July 7, 1972
Photograph

UCWA members marching down Madison St., Seattle, July 7, 1972

The United Construction Workers Association (UCWA) was founded in 1970 by Tyree Scott (1940-2003), an electrician who had become a Seattle civil rights activist. The UCWA began with the goal of uniting minority construction workers to promote their employment in the construction industry and prevent discrimination. Because of union control over the local labor market, it was almost impossible for Black workers…
ID Number:2000.107.216.06.01
Date:1972
Image of Bettylou Valentine and Rebecca Salinas-Burton with student in Central Youth and Family Services office, Seattle, January 2, 1990
Photograph

Bettylou Valentine and Rebecca Salinas-Burton with student in Central Youth and Family Services office, Seattle, January 2, 1990

Bettylou (Burleigh) Valentine (1937-2014) came to Seattle in 1959 to attend graduate school at the University of Washington (UW). She was an early leader of Seattle CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), serving as secretary in 1964. She helped organize the campus Civil Rights Action Group (CRAG) after the UW administration refused to allow an NAACP chapter on campus. She left…
ID Number:2000.107.218.33.01
Date:1990
Image of Bettylou Valentine at site for new Central Youth and Family Services building, Seattle, June 16, 1992
Photograph

Bettylou Valentine at site for new Central Youth and Family Services building, Seattle, June 16, 1992

Bettylou (Burleigh) Valentine (1937-2014) came to Seattle in 1959 to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. She was an early leader of Seattle CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), serving as secretary in 1964. She helped organize the campus Civil Rights Action Group (CRAG) after the university administration refused to allow an NAACP chapter on campus. She left Seattle…
ID Number:2000.107.218.33.03
Date:1992
Image of Demonstration of punch-card voting machine, Seattle, March 25, 1969
Photograph

Demonstration of punch-card voting machine, Seattle, March 25, 1969

On March 29, 1969 over 4,500 Seattle residents went to the polls to elect the 16-member Central Area School Council. This was the first community council elected to help the Seattle School Board run an attendance area’s schools. It was also the city’s first computer-assisted election, and it used IBM Votomatic machines, on loan from Clark County, WA. After the…
ID Number:2000.107.220.41.01
Date:1969
Image of Jurors reenacting Larry Ward shooting on 24th Avenue, Seattle, May 27, 1970
Photograph

Jurors reenacting Larry Ward shooting on 24th Avenue, Seattle, May 27, 1970

On May 15, 1970, a Seattle police officer shot and killed Larry Eugene Ward (1947-1970) as he fled from police after attempting to light a bomb fuse at Hardcastle Realty at 23rd Avenue and Union Street in the Central Area. Police were alerted to the attempt by the FBI, who had been watching the property, expecting Black Panther involvement in…
ID Number:2000.107.222.07.01
Date:1970
Image of Flo Ware speaking to Governor Dan Evans in front of Liberty Bank, April 7, 1972
Photograph

Flo Ware speaking to Governor Dan Evans in front of Liberty Bank, April 7, 1972

Florestine “Flo” Ware (1912-1981) was a tireless activist who fought for 30 years for the rights of children, the poor, and the aged, particularly in Seattle’s Black community. Within a few years after she moved to Seattle in 1946, Ware was agitating for improvements to Central Area public schools, for better healthcare for elderly people, and for employment opportunities for…
ID Number:2000.107.222.08.01
Date:1972
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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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Phone: 206 324 1126
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