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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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713 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Migrant workers camp, Skagit Valley, 1943
Photograph

Migrant workers camp, Skagit Valley, 1943

The entrance of the United States into World War II created a shortage of farm laborers, as American men left to serve in the war. In the Yakima Valley and western Washington, the labor shortage was exacerbated by the incarceration of Japanese-Americans, many of whom worked on farms. The Braceros program, a series of laws and diplomatic agreements between the…
ID Number:1986.5.2907.12
Date:1943
Image of Teenage farm workers in Puyallup Valley, May 1942
Photograph

Teenage farm workers in Puyallup Valley, May 1942

World War II caused a shortage of farm labor in Washington state. Some workers had left to serve in the military. Japanese Americans, many of whom farmed on Bainbridge Island or in eastern King County, had been forcibly removed to inland incarceration camps.This May 1942 photo shows a row of high school students working as farm hands in a field…
ID Number:1986.5.2909.1
Date:1942
Image of Teenage farm workers returning from the fields, June 1942
Photograph

Teenage farm workers returning from the fields, June 1942

World War II caused a shortage of farm labor in Washington state. Some workers had left to serve in the military. Japanese Americans, many of whom farmed in King County, had been forcibly removed to inland incarceration camps. Governor Arthur B. Langlie declared the first week of June 1942 as "Farm Labor Week," and called for volunteers to help harvest…
ID Number:1986.5.2909.2
Date:1942
Image of Young men board buses for the Victory Youth Farm Aid Corps, 1942
Photograph

Young men board buses for the Victory Youth Farm Aid Corps, 1942

With farmers' pressing demand for workers during World War II, the United States Employment Service and the Council of Social Agencies supplied youthful workers for the Victory Youth Farm Aid Corps. Written on sleeve: FARMS, Youth workers Written on image: Farms & Farming; Youth Farm Labor [crossed out] Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and…
ID Number:1986.5.2909.5
Date:1942
Image of Ship shaft production line at Isaacson Iron Works, Seattle, 1943
Photograph

Ship shaft production line at Isaacson Iron Works, Seattle, 1943

In 1907, John Isaacson established a small blacksmith shop called Isaacson Iron Works. During World War II, Isaacson Steel incorporated the Jorgensen Steel forging operations and was an integral supplier of iron products for West Coast Naval shipyards, including forged and machined ship shafting. Isaacson Iron Works was in operation from 1907 until 1983. Written on sleeve: INDUSTRIES, Isaacson Iron…
ID Number:1986.5.4446.4
Date:1943
Image of Event at Isaacson Iron Works, Seattle, 1943
Photograph

Event at Isaacson Iron Works, Seattle, 1943

In 1907, John Isaacson established a small blacksmith shop called Isaacson Iron Works. During World War II, Isaacson Steel incorporated the Jorgensen Steel forging operations and was an integral supplier of iron products for West Coast Naval shipyards, including forged and machined ship shafting. Isaacson Iron Works was in operation from 1907 until 1983. Written on sleeve: INDUSTRIES, Isaacson Iron…
ID Number:1986.5.4446.5
Date:1943
Image of Women workers standing in front of the Kirkland Cooperative Cannery, Kirkland, July 1939
Photograph

Women workers standing in front of the Kirkland Cooperative Cannery, Kirkland, July 1939

In 1939, during the Great Depression, Washington State operated four cooperative canneries, all funded by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). Canneries at Kirkland and Kent served families from as far as away Everett and Tacoma. Any family with an income of less than $100 a month could bring fruit, vegetables, and meat to the cannery to preserve them for…
ID Number:1986.5.4890.1
Date:1939
Image of Women working at the Kirkland Cooperative Cannery, Kirkland, July 13, 1939
Photograph

Women working at the Kirkland Cooperative Cannery, Kirkland, July 13, 1939

In 1939, during the Great Depression, Washington State operated four cooperative canneries, all funded by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). Canneries at Kirkland and Kent served families from as far as away Everett and Tacoma. Any family with an income of less than $100 a month could bring fruit, vegetables, and meat to the cannery to preserve them for…
ID Number:1986.5.4890.2
Date:1939
Image of Mill worker at a rolling machine in a plywood mill, July 1937
Photograph

Mill worker at a rolling machine in a plywood mill, July 1937

Written on photo: Plywood mill Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): July 22, 1937
ID Number:1986.5.5335.2
Date:1937
Image of Man hanging noodles on drying rack at Mission Macaroni Co., Seattle, January 1952
Photograph

Man hanging noodles on drying rack at Mission Macaroni Co., Seattle, January 1952

Guido P. Merlino (1903-1991) founded the Mission Macaroni Mfg. Company during the economically challenging times of the Great Depression in 1932. Originally from Taranta Peligna, Italy, Merlino immigrated to the United States in 1920 at age 17, settling near his brother in Fresno, California. He later joined his cousins in Seattle as an owner of Pacific Coast Macaroni Co., producing…
ID Number:1986.5.5659.1
Date:1952
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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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