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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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We have many more items in our collections and not everything you see online is on view at the museum. We have additional materials online at the University of Washington’s Digital Collections.

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506 results for: Government and Public Services

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Image of Workmen cleaning transit bus, Seattle, May 16, 1963
Photograph

Workmen cleaning transit bus, Seattle, May 16, 1963

In this image, two transit workers clean the first of 100 new diesel buses while it is sitting on a Great Northern Railway flatcar. The new buses were intended to help improve Seattle Transit System (later Metro Transit) service to Seattle's north end neighborhoods. Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the…
ID Number:2000.107.190.09.01
Date:1963
Image of High school students riding transit bus, Seattle, October 26, 1955
Photograph

High school students riding transit bus, Seattle, October 26, 1955

In this image a group of Queen Anne High School students wave while sitting in one of the Seattle Transit System's (later Metro Transit) new diesel-powered buses. The students were touring the Atlantic Street station and trying out the new roomier buses. The 100 new coaches from General Motors had a carrying capacity of 51 passengers. Caption information derived from…
ID Number:2000.107.190.09.02
Date:1955
Image of Passengers boarding Blue Streak bus at Northgate, Seattle, September 9, 1970
Photograph

Passengers boarding Blue Streak bus at Northgate, Seattle, September 9, 1970

In this image passengers board a Seattle Transit System (now Metro Transit) Blue Streak bus at the Northgate Station. The Blue Streaks were intended as fast or express service buses, added at peak travel times. Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
ID Number:2000.107.190.10.01
Date:1970
Image of Elaine Youch and Elizabeth Holsten leaving Fun! Run Bus, Seattle, June 20, 1972
Photograph

Elaine Youch and Elizabeth Holsten leaving Fun! Run Bus, Seattle, June 20, 1972

In this image passengers Elaine Youch, left, and Elizabeth Holsten leap from the summer run "Fun! Run Bus." The Seattle Transit System (now Metro Transit) operated this 10-cent ride between the waterfront and Seattle Center through the month of August 1972. Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
ID Number:2000.107.190.10.02
Date:1972
Image of Ron Sims listening to testimony at King County Council meeting, Seattle, March 13, 1992
Photograph

Ron Sims listening to testimony at King County Council meeting, Seattle, March 13, 1992

In 1985, Ronald Cordell "Ron" Sims (1948-) became the first African American elected to county government in Washington state, winning a seat on the King County Council. He served on the council for three terms and in 1996 was appointed to fill King County Executive Gary Locke's position when he became Washington State Governor; he was re-elected in 1997, 2001…
ID Number:2000.107.198.12.04
Date:1992
Image of Helen Beck Stafford, June 30, 1987
Photograph

Helen Beck Stafford, June 30, 1987

Helen Beck Stafford (1899-2002) was a community and civil rights activist in Tacoma. Stafford attended Kansas State University, where she was not allowed live in the dorms, swim in the campus pool, or use other facilities required by her course work because she was Black. Despite a college experience rife with discrimination and racial insults, she excelled and graduated in…
ID Number:2000.107.204.01.01
Date:1987
Image of UCWA demonstrators marching down 5th Ave., Seattle, March 11, 1975
Photograph

UCWA demonstrators marching down 5th Ave., Seattle, March 11, 1975

The United Construction Workers Association (UCWA) was founded in 1970 by Tyree Scott (1940-2003), an electrician who had become a Seattle civil rights activist. The UCWA began with the goal of uniting minority construction workers to promote their employment in the construction industry and prevent discrimination. Because of union control over the local labor market, it was almost impossible for Black workers…
ID Number:2000.107.216.06.04
Date:1975
Image of Bettylou Valentine and Rebecca Salinas-Burton with student in Central Youth and Family Services office, Seattle, January 2, 1990
Photograph

Bettylou Valentine and Rebecca Salinas-Burton with student in Central Youth and Family Services office, Seattle, January 2, 1990

Bettylou (Burleigh) Valentine (1937-2014) came to Seattle in 1959 to attend graduate school at the University of Washington (UW). She was an early leader of Seattle CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), serving as secretary in 1964. She helped organize the campus Civil Rights Action Group (CRAG) after the UW administration refused to allow an NAACP chapter on campus. She left…
ID Number:2000.107.218.33.01
Date:1990
Image of Bettylou Valentine at site for new Central Youth and Family Services building, Seattle, June 16, 1992
Photograph

Bettylou Valentine at site for new Central Youth and Family Services building, Seattle, June 16, 1992

Bettylou (Burleigh) Valentine (1937-2014) came to Seattle in 1959 to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. She was an early leader of Seattle CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), serving as secretary in 1964. She helped organize the campus Civil Rights Action Group (CRAG) after the university administration refused to allow an NAACP chapter on campus. She left Seattle…
ID Number:2000.107.218.33.03
Date:1992
Image of Ruth Velozo discussing Northwest Second Harvest, Seattle, July 2, 1979
Photograph

Ruth Velozo discussing Northwest Second Harvest, Seattle, July 2, 1979

Northwest Harvest, a Seattle-based non-profit organization, was founded in 1967 by The Ecumenical Metropolitan Ministry (EMM), an interfaith organization committed to identifying and addressing the primary problems of the poor and disadvantaged. The organization created Neighbors in Need and opened 34 food banks in what was initially conceived of as a short-term solution to an employment crisis in Seattle. As…
ID Number:2000.107.219.31.02
Date:1979
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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.
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