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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 Property tax protesters in rotunda of Washington State Capitol, April 3, 1971
Photograph

Property tax protesters in rotunda of Washington State Capitol, April 3, 1971

In April 1971, about 500 property owners jammed the State Capitol Rotunda in Olympia to protest spiraling property taxes. Many of the protesters were elderly people from North Seattle, where property taxes had risen more than 100 percent over the previous year. This photo shows protestors seated on the steps in the Rotunda, perhaps listening to one of the several…
ID Number:2000.107.153.22.12
Date:1971
Image of Paul Dorpat and Tom Robbins at City Council hearing, Seattle, April 4, 1967
Photograph

Paul Dorpat and Tom Robbins at City Council hearing, Seattle, April 4, 1967

Author Tom Robbins (1932-2025) was known for his novels, articles, essays, and support for progressive causes. In this image Tom Robbins, right, sits with historian Paul Dorpat (1938-) at an appeal hearing in front of the Seattle City Council License Committee. As the "only professional art critic in the Northwest," Robbins testified that Dorpat's permit application for a dance held…
ID Number:2000.107.153.38.01
Date:1967
Image of Employee at the Federal Reserve Bank, Seattle, January 14, 1954
Photograph

Employee at the Federal Reserve Bank, Seattle, January 14, 1954

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco opened a branch in Seattle in 1917. After some years in leased space, the Seattle Branch moved into its own, purpose-built building on Second Avenue and Madison Street in 1951. Among the branch's many responsibilities were the handling and distribution of coins and currency.Here, Ella Dalton sorts and cancels worn out bills with…
ID Number:2000.107.165.11.02
Date:1954
Image of Employee at the Federal Reserve Bank, Seattle, 1951
Photograph

Employee at the Federal Reserve Bank, Seattle, 1951

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco opened a branch in Seattle in 1917. After some years in leased space, the Seattle Branch moved into its own, purpose-built building on Second Avenue and Madison Street in 1951. Among the branch's many responsibilities were the handling and distribution of coins and currency.Here, coin sorter Robert Popilek works at his machine at…
ID Number:2000.107.165.11.03
Date:1951
Image of Federal Reserve Bank branch under construction, Seattle, July 21, 1949
Photograph

Federal Reserve Bank branch under construction, Seattle, July 21, 1949

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco opened a branch in Seattle in 1917. After some years in leased space, the Seattle Branch moved into its own, purpose-built building on Second Avenue and Madison Street in 1951. The new bank had a two-story vault with 30-inch steel-reinforced concrete walls and an inner steel shell. This 1949 image shows the bank…
ID Number:2000.107.165.11.04
Date:1949
Image of Seattle City Light rate protest outside SeaFirst building, January 9, 1979
Photograph

Seattle City Light rate protest outside SeaFirst building, January 9, 1979

In this image taken outside the Seattle First National Bank building in downtown Seattle, demonstrators gathered to protest a new building code allowing commercial and industrial firms to pay less as they use larger amounts of electricity. By contrast, residential users paid more as they used more under Seattle City Light's rate structures. Jim Wurzer, left, dressed as SeaFirst Bank…
ID Number:2000.107.165.16.01
Date:1979
Image of Planting cherry trees on Capitol Hill, Seattle, April 13, 1982
Photograph

Planting cherry trees on Capitol Hill, Seattle, April 13, 1982

In the spring of 1982, residents of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood turned out to plant some 250 cherry trees paid for by federal block grant money. Residents chose Bing cherries for their food value and because their foliage matched the area's brick gutters.Here, landscape contractor Henry Zinser helps Capitol Hill resident Carol Baldwin plant a Bing cherry tree on East…
ID Number:2000.107.168.11.05
Date:1982
Image of Ranger leading nature walk at Camp Long, Seattle, March 7, 1985
Photograph

Ranger leading nature walk at Camp Long, Seattle, March 7, 1985

Named for Seattle Juvenile Court Judge William George Long (1894-1974), Camp Long was built in 1937 as a place for organized scouting groups to learn camping skills. In 1984, park officials made the 68 acre park more accessible to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn…
ID Number:2000.107.168.11.06
Date:1985
Image of Ranger standing at Polliwog Pond, Camp Long, Seattle, March 7, 1985
Photograph

Ranger standing at Polliwog Pond, Camp Long, Seattle, March 7, 1985

Named for Seattle Juvenile Court Judge William George Long (1894-1974), Camp Long was built in 1937 as a place for organized scouting groups to learn camping skills. In 1984, park officials made the 68 acre park more accessible to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn…
ID Number:2000.107.168.11.07
Date:1985
Image of Exterior of Pier 86 grain terminal, Seattle, January 6, 1970
Photograph

Exterior of Pier 86 grain terminal, Seattle, January 6, 1970

In 1970 the Port of Seattle spent millions of dollars finishing and upgrading container terminals, airport projects, and new property acquisitions to support what is a major contributor to regional economic growth. Seattle's grain exports were moved at the time to the $15 million Pier 86 Grain Facility in the Interbay neighborhood. This property replaced the Port’s Hanford Street Grain…
ID Number:2000.107.171.37.01
Date:1970
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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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