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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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396 results for: Central Area

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Image of Little girl dressed in her best, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Little girl dressed in her best, Seattle, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in their everyday lives. On this occasion, he photographed an unidentified little girl, possibly dressed for Easter. She wears a flowered hat and starched dress, and black patent leather shoes.
ID Number:2014.49.23.18.11
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Barbers at Bertha's Barber Shop, Seattle, circa 1958
Photograph

Barbers at Bertha's Barber Shop, Seattle, circa 1958

In addition to his jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family, friends and other local people in their everyday lives. Here Smith photographs Bertha M. Johnson, center, owner of Bertha's Barber Shop on 23rd Avenue, with her two male barbers. Beauticians and barbers formed an important part of the Central District's thriving business sector. They put…
ID Number:2014.49.29.01.04
Date:Circa 1958
Image of Neighborhood House youth band, 1954
Photograph

Neighborhood House youth band, 1954

Neighborhood House opened in 1906 as a settlement established by the National Council of Jewish Women to provide services to Jewish immigrants. In 1956, with the help of the Seattle Housing Authority, the agency secured building space in the Yesler Terrace community. Neighborhood House continues to serve the Central District, immigrant communities, and public housing residents of King County.Here, the…
ID Number:2014.49.29.01.10
Date:1954
Image of Pete Peterson playing saxophone for a group of servicemen, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Pete Peterson playing saxophone for a group of servicemen, Seattle, circa 1944

Seattle's Jackson Street jazz clubs flourished in the first half of the twentieth century, with their popularity peaking in the late 1930s through early 1950s. Seattle-born photographer Al Smith was a familiar figure in the clubs, often taking pictures of musicians and patrons, then returning the following week to sell prints.On this occasion, Smith photographed a group of servicemen listening…
ID Number:2014.49.29.09.01
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Larry Gossett entering police van at  protest at the South African consulate, Seattle, December 9, 1984
Photograph

Larry Gossett entering police van at protest at the South African consulate, Seattle, December 9, 1984

Beginning in October 1984, demonstrations were held outside the home of the honorary South African consul in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood to protest the South African government's polices of racial segregation known as apartheid. In this image, Seattle civil-rights activist and community organizer Larry Gossett, wrists zip tied, steps into a police van. He and 22 others were arrested for…
ID Number:2014.49.033.057.03
Date:1984
Image of Group sitting on stairs at a party, Seattle, July 16, 1944
Photograph

Group sitting on stairs at a party, Seattle, July 16, 1944

A postal carrier during the week, Al Smith (1916-2008) spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of the everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local jazz scene.Here, Smith photographs a group of friends sitting…
ID Number:2014.49.051.039.01
Date:1944
Image of Lester Catlett and woman on stairs at a party, Seattle, July 16, 1944
Photograph

Lester Catlett and woman on stairs at a party, Seattle, July 16, 1944

A postal carrier during the week, Al Smith (1916-2008) spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of the everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local jazz scene.Here, Smith photographs Lester Catlett and an unidentified…
ID Number:2014.49.051.040.01
Date:1944
Image of Couple dancing, Seattle, circa 1945
Photograph

Couple dancing, Seattle, circa 1945

A postal carrier during the week, Al Smith (1916-2008) spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the city’s African American community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local jazz scene. Here, Smith takes a candid shot of…
ID Number:2014.49.051.101.01
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Guests at a house party, Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Guests at a house party, Seattle, circa 1940

This image of a group of people at house party was taken by Seattle photographer Albert J. "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008). A postal carrier during the week, Al Smith spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the…
ID Number:2014.49.051.119.02
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Men marching in a Mardi Gras parade, Seattle, circa 1956
Photograph

Men marching in a Mardi Gras parade, Seattle, circa 1956

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took photos of events in the city’s black community. On this occasion, he photographed a parade group in the annual Mardi Gras, the African American summer festival that took place as part of Seattle’s International Festival, later Seafair. Here, the school groups the Bon Temps and the Le Premiers…
ID Number:2014.49.052.042
Date:Circa 1955
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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.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
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