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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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218 results for: Religion and Spirituality

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Image of Children dancing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, 1936
Photograph

Children dancing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, 1936

During the summer of 1932, the Seattle Buddhist Church (Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple) held the city's first Bon Odori festival. Bon Odori is a Japanese dance which is part of the observance of Obon, a Buddhist memorial service. The joyful dance, which celebrates the Buddhist tradition of selfless giving, expresses gratitude to departed family members and ancestors. Over the years,…
ID Number:PI22451
Date:1936
Image of Three women singing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Three women singing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, 1937

During the summer of 1932, Seattle's first Bon Odori festival was held by the Seattle Buddhist Church (Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple). Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese style of dancing performed during Obon, a Buddhist memorial service. The joyful dance celebrates selfless giving and expresses gratitude to departed family members and ancestors. Over the years, the annual open-to-all event has…
ID Number:PI22454
Date:1937
Image of Dancers at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, circa 1935
Photograph

Dancers at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, circa 1935

During the summer of 1932, Seattle's first Bon Odori festival was held by the Seattle Buddhist Church (Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple). Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese style of dancing performed during Obon, a Buddhist memorial service. The joyful dance celebrates selfless giving and expresses gratitude to departed family members and ancestors. Over the years, the annual open-to-all event has…
ID Number:PI22458
Date:Circa 1935
Image of St. James Mission, Tanana, Alaska, circa 1900
Photograph

St. James Mission, Tanana, Alaska, circa 1900

St. James Mission was an Episcopal mission established in Alaska, near the confluence of the Tanana and Yukon Rivers. The point of land between the rivers had been a historic trading place for Athabascan peoples. Built over the years between 1887 and 1900, the site grew to include a school, hospital, and sawmill, as well as the reading room and…
ID Number:SHS2020
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Kent Methodist church, circa 1885
Photograph

Kent Methodist church, circa 1885

The Methodist Church in Kent was founded as a part of Seattle's First Methodist Church. In 1876, the members built a parsonage in Kent, and in 1883, they built their church next door. After the railroad came through Kent, the tracks ran so close to the building that the trains disturbed the worship services. In 1909, the members built a…
ID Number:SHS9359
Date:Circa 1885
Image of Log cabin church, Juneau, Alaska, 1896
Photograph

Log cabin church, Juneau, Alaska, 1896

Juneau, Alaska, was settled in 1880. In 1900, the capital of Alaska moved to Juneau from Sitka. In 1905, Juneau was a city of 2,000 people with about 6,000 miners and prospectors working in nearby gold-bearing quartz deposits. Most of the trees on the hillsides above the town were cut to supply wood for buildings, fuel, and other needs.This photo…
ID Number:SHS9764
Date:1896
Image of Chevra Bikur Cholim Congregation synagogue at 14th Ave and Washington St., Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Chevra Bikur Cholim Congregation synagogue at 14th Ave and Washington St., Seattle, circa 1900

The oldest synagogue in Washington state, Chevra Bikur Cholim (Hebrew for Society for visiting the sick), now Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath, incorporated in Seattle in 1891 with the purpose of caring for the sick and providing proper burial. Within a decade it evolved into a religious congregation and services were held in Red Man's Hall on Second Avenue and Seneca…
ID Number:SHS10991
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Choir at Bikur Cholim Synagogue, Seattle, 1916
Photograph

Choir at Bikur Cholim Synagogue, Seattle, 1916

Typed on sleeve: Male choir in Seattle synagogue, 1916. Cantor: Sol Tovbin. Director: Boris Dolgoff. Top row, left: Abraham Steinberg. 2nd row, left: Aleck Hoffman, Sidney Resnick. 2nd row, far right: Louis Woron. 3rd row, right: William Warshall. Bottom row, 3rd from left: Abe Resnick. 4th from left: David Hoffman. Far right: Adolph Warshall.Additional names given in Cone/Droker/Williams "Family of…
ID Number:SHS15795
Date:1916
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