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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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469 results for: Home and Family

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Image of Armchairs in a living room, Seattle,  circa 1950
Photograph

Armchairs in a living room, Seattle, circa 1950

Seattle photographer Al Smith often photographed family and friends in their homes--in family groups, with friends at a house party, or dressed up for special occasions. In this unusual photo, Smith chose to photograph four empty chairs facing each other in a circle in a living room, with no people present.
ID Number:2014.49.010.054.0280
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Portrait of Izzy Smith, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Portrait of Izzy Smith, Seattle, circa 1953

Here, Isabelle "Izzy" (Donaldson) Smith, wife of the photographer, poses in an off-the-shoulder dress, wearing a pearl choker.
ID Number:2014.49.010.056.0115
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Portrait of Isabelle
Photograph

Portrait of Isabelle "Izzy" Smith, Seattle, circa 1953

Isabelle "Izzy" (Donaldson) Smith, wife of the photographer, poses here in a satin gown with dark edging.
ID Number:2014.49.010.060.0192
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Men around table at Wiseman party, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Men around table at Wiseman party, Seattle, circa 1953

Twelve men pose together in a dining room, surrounding a table laden with a cake, punch bowl, and silver tea service. E. E. Spearman and Al Hall are on the far left. Henry Johnson, Sr., and John Copeland are on the far right. The others are unidentified.
ID Number:2014.49.010.061.0121
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Woman posing near piano, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Woman posing near piano, Seattle, circa 1953

An unidentified woman stands next to a grand piano with a paisley cloth on its top. She is wearing a dark dress with sequin detailing and a hat.
ID Number:2014.49.010.063.0127
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Sadie Stovall in her living room, circa 1947
Photograph

Sadie Stovall in her living room, circa 1947

In addition to his images of the local jazz scene, Seattle photographer Al Smith took many photos of family, friends and other local people in their everyday lives. Here, he photographs Sadie Stovall posing in a fancy dress and fur stole in her living room.
ID Number:2014.49.011.006.0007
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948
Photograph

Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. On this occasion he photographed his close friend Joe Smith showing off his collection of hunting firearms.
ID Number:2014.49.011.024.0040
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Party-goers posing together by a birthday cake, Seattle, circa 1945
Photograph

Party-goers posing together by a birthday cake, Seattle, circa 1945

A postal carrier during the week, Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (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. In this image, ten…
ID Number:2014.49.011.026.0042
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948

Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008), was a photographer and prolific chronicler of life in Seattle's Central Area during the mid- to late-20th century. From a hobby begun as a preteen, Mr. Smith began his "weekend job" and photography business, On the Spot, in the 1940s, capturing life in the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local…
ID Number:2014.49.11.12.31
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955
Photograph

Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955

Al Smith took many photographs in Seattle’s Central District, located between the downtown business district and out along East Madison. Housing discrimination and restrictive real estate covenants meant that this was one of the few areas where African Americans could live. Much of the neighborhood was made up of small older brick or frame houses. Here, two Central Area residents…
ID Number:2014.49.011.019.0090
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
Phone: 206 324 1126
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