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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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506 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Councilman Sam Smith addressing Women's Clubs,  March 1969
Photograph

Councilman Sam Smith addressing Women's Clubs, March 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 1974-199 and 1986-1989. Smith also served in the Washington State Legislature for five terms, beginning with his election from the 37th district in 1958. He was born…
ID Number:1986.5.56539.7
Date:1969
Image of Motorcycle policeman J.K. Weedin, Seattle, March 1928
Photograph

Motorcycle policeman J.K. Weedin, Seattle, March 1928

In early 1910, the Seattle police department invested $1,329 in its first three motorcycles, with seven patrolman selected as the first members of the "motor cops" squad. At the time, speeding fines were paid to King County rather than the city of Seattle, and the city hoped to pass a traffic ordinance which would allow it to keep fines for…
ID Number:1986.5G.3172.1
Date:1928
Image of Brochure promoting a rapid transit solution for Seattle, 1926
Document

Brochure promoting a rapid transit solution for Seattle, 1926

Seattle’s hourglass shape and steep hills challenged land transportation from the very beginning. By the 1920s, with continuing population growth and the popularity of automobile transportation, traffic congestion had increased drastically. Concurrently, the city’s street railway system was losing money. In 1925, the Rapid Transit Committee of the Seattle City Planning Commission put together an extensive report, proposing that a…
ID Number:1987.66.3
Date:1926
Image of Seattle Rapid Transit Report to the City Planning Commission, 1925
Book

Seattle Rapid Transit Report to the City Planning Commission, 1925

Seattle’s hourglass shape and steep hills challenged land transportation from the very beginning. By the 1920s, with continuing population growth and the popularity of automobile transportation, traffic congestion had increased drastically. Concurrently, the city’s street railway system was losing money. In 1925, the Rapid Transit Committee of the Seattle City Planning Commission put together an extensive report, proposing that a…
ID Number:1987.66.4
Date:1925
Image of Fire Chief Vickery sitting in Mini Medic 1, Seattle, 1971
Photograph

Fire Chief Vickery sitting in Mini Medic 1, Seattle, 1971

Civic leader Gordon Franklin Vickery (1920-1996) began his service to the City of Seattle in 1946 with the fire department. During his tenure as Chief from 1963-1972 he won praise for his efforts to hire minorities and women. In 1968, Chief Vickery began discussions with Dr. Leonard Cobb, Chief of Cardiology at Harborview, about training firefighters in emergency life-saving techniques.…
ID Number:1995.31.13
Date:1971
Image of Fire Chief Vickery with Lake City Lions Club members, Seattle, 1971
Photograph

Fire Chief Vickery with Lake City Lions Club members, Seattle, 1971

Civic leader Gordon Franklin Vickery (1920-1996) began his service to the City of Seattle in 1946 with the fire department. During his tenure as Chief from 1963-1972 he won praise for his efforts to hire minorities and women. In 1968, Chief Vickery began discussions with Dr. Leonard Cobb, Chief of Cardiology at Harborview, about training firefighters in emergency life-saving techniques.…
ID Number:1995.31.15
Date:1971
Image of Traffic Code Map, Seattle, circa 1923
Cartographic material

Traffic Code Map, Seattle, circa 1923

This double-sided traffic map is "compliments of the Department of Streets & Sewers, W. D. Barkhuff, Superintendent." William D. Barkhuff was the Superintendent of Streets and Sewers from 1922 to 1928. This map was probably for visitors to the city, outlining where cars could park and "stand," along with rules for drivers in the city and major thoroughfares throughout the…
ID Number:1997.30.30
Date:Circa 1923
Image of AIDS Prevention Project volunteer at needle exchange, Seattle, February 20, 1990
Photograph

AIDS Prevention Project volunteer at needle exchange, Seattle, February 20, 1990

In this image, a volunteer is taking a survey of people exchanging needles at Second and Pike in downtown Seattle. He was manning the table for the AIDS Prevention Project handled through King County Health Department. Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
ID Number:2000.107.001.06.02
Date:1990
Image of Microbiologist with blood samples for HIV testing at the Public Health Lab, Seattle, March 26, 1992
Photograph

Microbiologist with blood samples for HIV testing at the Public Health Lab, Seattle, March 26, 1992

In the early years of AIDS testing, health clinics were often overwhelmed with test requests. In this image, microbiologist Jeanette Frazier prepares blood samples for HIV testing at the Public Health Lab in Seattle, with a large tray of vials awaiting testing nearby. Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
ID Number:2000.107.001.06.04
Date:1992
Image of Woman running AIDS computer test on vials of blood, Seattle, August 16, 1985
Photograph

Woman running AIDS computer test on vials of blood, Seattle, August 16, 1985

In this image, supervisor of serology June Nakata at the Seattle-King County Health Department lab, located in the Public Safety Building, inserts a vial of blood that has been tested for AIDS antibodies into a computer. The device scans the vial and prints out findings on tape; "reactive" indicates that AIDS antibodies are present. Caption information derived from captions written…
ID Number:2000.107.001.06.05
Date:1985
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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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