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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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707 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Women working in Northern Pacific office, Seattle, 1945
Photograph

Women working in Northern Pacific office, Seattle, 1945

Northern Pacific Railroad's traffic department had its offices on the second floor of the Smith Tower. These women appear to be taking reservations by phone from that office. Trains were heavily used during the war years for moving military personnel as well as ordinary citizens. Handwritten on sleeve: Strang & Prosser.Webster & Stevens number: 45-337
ID Number:1983.10.15348.1
Date:1945
Image of Woman sewing in garment factory, Seattle, 1954
Photograph

Woman sewing in garment factory, Seattle, 1954

Title from inventory: Union Special Machine Co. - Sewing in Garment FactoryHandwritten on sleeve: Sewing in Garment Factory.Webster & Stevens number: 54-5140
ID Number:1983.10.18245.5
Date:1954
Image of Fruit pickers, 1911
Photograph

Fruit pickers, 1911

Yakima County is still a center for the tree fruit industry. Irrigation efforts started in the 1870s, and by 1907, area orchards were producing apples, cherries, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, and apricots. About two million young fruit trees were planted in 1906 and early 1907 alone.This photo shows a group of fruit pickers with their pails at a Washington orchard.…
ID Number:1983.10.PA11.51
Date:1911
Image of Man nailing a bundle of shingles, circa 1915
Photograph

Man nailing a bundle of shingles, circa 1915

Washington state's important cedar shingle industry began in the 1870s and grew quickly. In the first six months of 1905 alone, over 18,000 railroad cars full of shingles left the state for building projects all over the United States.In this photo, taken at a Washington mill in about 1915, a worker finishes packing a bundle of shingles. The skilled workers…
ID Number:1983.10.PA18.73
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Men packing shingles, circa 1915
Photograph

Men packing shingles, circa 1915

By 1893, Washington state had 150 mills which cut cedar shingles and sent them by rail to the rest of the United States. Cedar shingles make a good roof and wall covering because they are strong and light, and they shed rain and snow easily.In this photo, several millworkers pack the shingles into bundles. This photo was taken around 1915…
ID Number:1983.10.PA18.74
Date:1915
Image of Shingle sawyers, circa 1915
Photograph

Shingle sawyers, circa 1915

Workers in the shingle mills took blocks of cedar, called bolts, and cut them to the right size with a series of saws. They then cut the wood into thin shingles. These skilled workers were called shingle weavers because of the way they moved the wood in the sharp saws. This was very dangerous work, and many millworkers had their…
ID Number:1983.10.PA18.75
Date:1915
Image of Workers in shingle mill, circa 1915
Photograph

Workers in shingle mill, circa 1915

By 1893, Washington state had 150 mills which cut cedar shingles and sent them by rail to the rest of the United States. Cedar shingles make a good roof and wall covering because they are strong and light, and they shed rain and snow easily.In this photo, taken at a Washington mill in about 1915, workers are shown preparing shingle…
ID Number:1983.10.PA18.77
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Willie Turner working at Foss Shipyard, Seattle, September 23, 1983
Photograph

Willie Turner working at Foss Shipyard, Seattle, September 23, 1983

In 1983, the National Press Photographers Association sponsored a documentary project called "Day in the Life of Washington: September 23, 1983." Photographers from the NPAA, the American Society of Magazine Photographers, and freelancers participated in the 24-hour "Dayshoot," recording the ordinary occurrences of everyday life that might take on larger significance in a historical perspective. One hundred twenty of the…
ID Number:1984.118.376
Date:1983
Image of Ted De Coster cleaning windshield, Seattle, September 23, 1983
Photograph

Ted De Coster cleaning windshield, Seattle, September 23, 1983

In 1983, the National Press Photographers Association sponsored a documentary project called "Day in the Life of Washington: September 23, 1983." Photographers from the NPAA, the American Society of Magazine Photographers, and freelancers participated in the 24-hour "Dayshoot," recording the ordinary occurrences of everyday life that might take on larger significance in a historical perspective. One hundred twenty of the…
ID Number:1984.118.387
Date:1983
Image of Constructing the West Seattle Bridge, September 23, 1983
Photograph

Constructing the West Seattle Bridge, September 23, 1983

In 1983, the National Press Photographers Association sponsored a documentary project called "Day in the Life of Washington: September 23, 1983." Photographers from the NPAA, the American Society of Magazine Photographers, and freelancers participated in the 24-hour "Dayshoot," recording the ordinary occurrences of everyday life that might take on larger significance in a historical perspective. One hundred twenty of the…
ID Number:1984.118.392b
Date:1983
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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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