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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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169 results for: Agriculture and Farms

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Image of Asian American strawberry picker, circa 1919
Photograph

Asian American strawberry picker, circa 1919

Many Asian immigrants in the Seattle and King County area were farmers. Before World War One, Japanese farmers were already supplying most of the region's population with vegetables, small fruits, and diary products. Starting in the 1920s, many immigrants from the Philippines worked as seasonal laborers at area farms.In this photo, taken in the Seattle area around 1919, an Asian-American…
ID Number:1983.10.1593.1
Date:Circa 1919
Image of Model T Ford adapted to be a tractor, circa 1919
Photograph

Model T Ford adapted to be a tractor, circa 1919

One of the many add-on devices made for Model T Fords is the rear tire assembly of this vehicle, which adapted the car for use as a farm tractor. Several versions of this type of conversion kit were made by different companies, one advertised under the slogan of Make-a-Tractor. Handwritten on sleeve: Kenneth [...] (negative torn)Webster & Stevens number: 75247
ID Number:1983.10.1636.5
Date:Circa 1919
Image of Japanese farmers' food donations to the poor, circa 1922
Photograph

Japanese farmers' food donations to the poor, circa 1922

Japanese farmers had sold fruits and vegetables at the Pike Place Market since its opening in 1907. By the early 1920s, the area had become very crowded. Some Seattle businessmen proposed moving the farmers' market away from downtown. Maybe that's why the farmers in this photo are showing their community spirit by donating vegetables to needy local families and publicly…
ID Number:1983.10.2125
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Kirkland farms, 1918
Photograph

Kirkland farms, 1918

The national economic depression of the 1890s ended Kirkland, Washington's plans to become an industrial city. Instead, agriculture gave the city its first stable economic base. Farms in Kirkland and nearby Houghton raised berries, fruit, flower bulbs, and livestock. This 1918 photo shows a small farm near Kirkland. Two young cows graze by the roadside. Webster & Stevens number: 85390
ID Number:1983.10.2132.2
Date:1918
Image of Strawberry pickers in the field, circa 1921
Photograph

Strawberry pickers in the field, circa 1921

In the 1920s, farmers in the fertile valleys of the White, Duwamish, Cedar, and Little Black Rivers of western Washington state grew fruits and vegetables for shipment to Seattle and other markets. On average, local strawberry farmers grew 6,000 lbs. of berries per acre of land. In this photo, taken around 1921, strawberry pickers stand in a field somewhere near…
ID Number:1983.10.2179.1
Date:Circa 1921
Image of Man with a tall corn plant at the Tolt Fair, circa 1922
Photograph

Man with a tall corn plant at the Tolt Fair, circa 1922

According to members of the Tolt Historical Society, the town of Tolt held a fair in 1922. This Tolt Fair photo shows a man, possibly Victor Gonnason, standing by the cannery building with a giant corn plant. Tolt's name had been changed to Carnation in 1917, but many residents continued to use the old name. Webster & Stevens number: 86717
ID Number:1983.10.2287.3
Date:Circa 1922
Image of Yakima exhibit at the fruit exposition, November 1921
Photograph

Yakima exhibit at the fruit exposition, November 1921

The Pacific Northwest Fruit Exposition took place at Seattle's Bell Street Terminal from November 21 to 26, 1921. In addition to displays of fruit and nuts from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the public could enjoy music, singing, dancing, cooking demonstrations, a golf tournament, an apple-picking contest, and the crowning of the fair's Queen Pippin.In this photo, Margaret Cronk, Queen of…
ID Number:1983.10.2381.8
Date:1921
Image of Carnation Milk Co. promotional photo showing a bull on a dock near a ship, circa 1919
Photograph

Carnation Milk Co. promotional photo showing a bull on a dock near a ship, circa 1919

A small evaporated milk company which opened in Kent in 1899 grew to become the nationally known Carnation Company. Canned milk had a small market at first, but was soon accepted by hungry babies and gold-rush miners alike. By 1926, the company had six Seattle-area dairies and six local evaporated milk plants, plus 24 evaporated milk plants elsewhere in the…
ID Number:1983.10.2436.2
Date:Circa 1919
Image of Little girl on a ladder picking peaches, circa 1925
Photograph

Little girl on a ladder picking peaches, circa 1925

Central and eastern Washington state have ideal conditions for growing fruit. In this photo, taken around 1925, a little girl picks stands on a ladder and picks peaches. It was probably taken in one of Washington's prime fruit growing regions. Photographer's Reference Number: 112352
ID Number:1983.10.2912.1
Date:Circa 1925
Image of Workers packing eggs, circa 1925
Photograph

Workers packing eggs, circa 1925

A group of farmers formed the Washington Cooperative Egg & Poultry Association to promote and market their eggs, chicken, and other poultry products. The coop was located in Puyallup and had a huge packing facility in Seattle. This photo, taken in the mid-1920s, shows women packing eggs for delivery to market. Photographer's Reference Number: 119190
ID Number:1983.10.3194.2
Date:Circa 1925
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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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