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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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393 results for: Central Area

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Image of Al Smith and Sara Whitley, Seattle, circa 1920
Photograph

Al Smith and Sara Whitley, Seattle, circa 1920

Seattle photographer Albert J. "Al" Smith (1916-2008) was the son of West Indian immigrant parents Percy and Inez Smith. The couple settled in the Central Area neighborhood around 1914 and Al was born soon thereafter. The family lived on East Madison Street with close family friend Sarah M. Whitley (1850-1935) whom Al thought of as his grandmother. Here, Sarah Whitley…
ID Number:2014.49.Box31Folder001002
Date:Circa 1920
Image of Seattle Totems program, 1967
Program

Seattle Totems program, 1967

The Seattle Totems were a professional ice hockey franchise in the Pacific Coast Hockey League (later Western Hockey League or WHL) from 1944-1974 and in the Central Hockey League for the 1974-1975 season. The Totems won three WHL Lester Patrick Cup championships: 1959, 1967, and 1968.The appropriation of Indigenous names for professional sports teams has been popular since the 19th…
ID Number:2017.19.1
Date:1967
Image of Helix, vol. 4, no. 5, cover, Seattle, circa August 22, 1968
Serial

Helix, vol. 4, no. 5, cover, Seattle, circa August 22, 1968

Seattle’s first underground newspaper, “Helix,” was published in March 1967. Inspired by similar papers in New York City, San Francisco, and Berkeley, the paper published some 125 issues before folding in June 1970. Led by Paul Dorpat (b. 1938) and Walt Crowley (1947-2007), the large and eclectic staff covered underground politics, drug culture, bulletins from the Liberation News Service, and…
ID Number:2018.3.6.36
Date:1968
Image of Oral history interview with Jacqueline
Audio recording

Oral history interview with Jacqueline "Jackie" Lawson, August 15, 2015 and March 15, 2017

This interview with Jacqueline "Jackie" E.A. Lawson (1928-2021) was conducted by Al "Butch" Smith Jr. for the Al Smith: Seattle on the Spot Oral History Project and jointly created with the Black Heritage Society of Washington State. Lawson was the past President of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State at the time of her interview, and she talks about…
ID Number:2018.104.3
Date:2015
Audio recording

Oral history interview with Delores L. Davis, February 13, 2017

Interview with Delores Davis was conducted by Howard Giske and Chris Jones for the Al Smith: Seattle on the Spot Oral History Project on February 13, 2017. Davis graduated from Seattle University in 1951 and worked as a social worker at Catholic Children Services and University Hospital, and later as an author. She received the 2020 Community Service Award, an…
ID Number:2018.104.4
Date:2017
Image of Condemnation of Lane Street et al Establishing Grades map, Seattle, July 1916
Cartographic material

Condemnation of Lane Street et al Establishing Grades map, Seattle, July 1916

Starting in 1897 and continuing through 1930, the topography of central Seattle was radically altered by a series of regrades. An estimated 50 tons of earth removed from the city's hills were moved into the tide flats and other low areas, and into Elliott Bay.In June 1916, a bill was passed for the condemnation of property for changing and establishing…
ID Number:2019.3.21
Date:1916
Audio recording

Oral history interview with Phyllis Ratcliff-Beaumonte, June 10, 2002

Interview with Rev. Phyllis Ratcliff-Beaumonte conducted about Seattle's African-American community by Audrey Scales for the Speaking of Seattle Oral History Project on June 10, 2002. She is the past president of the Black Heritage Society of Seattle and Seattle Church Women United and served on the executive committee board of the Seattle branch of the NAACP. Topics discussed include her…
ID Number:2019.35.1.5
Date:2002
Image of Charlie James in front of Colman School building, Seattle, December  5, 1985
Photograph

Charlie James in front of Colman School building, Seattle, December 5, 1985

In 1985, a group of Black activists led by Charlie James, Earl Debnam, Omari Tahir-Garrett, and Michael Greenwood began occupying the abandoned Colman School in the Central Area in order to pressure the city to renovate it into a museum of African-American history. Despite the building's lack of heat and running water, the occupiers stayed for eight years, making this…
ID Number:2020.42.1.16.01.30
Date:1985
Image of
Photograph

"African American Museum" sign on door of Colman School, Seattle, November 25, 1985

In 1985, a group of Black activists led by Charlie James, Earl Debnam, Omari Tahir-Garrett, and Michael Greenwood began occupying the abandoned Colman School in the Central Area in order to pressure the city to renovate it into a museum of African-American history. Despite the building's lack of heat and running water, the occupiers stayed for eight years, making this…
ID Number:2020.42.1.16.02.44
Date:1985
Image of Protesters marching against police brutality, Seattle, October 22, 2001
Photograph

Protesters marching against police brutality, Seattle, October 22, 2001

On October 22, 2001 about 100 demonstrators marched through Seattle to protest against police brutality, especially the killing of Black people by police. The march in Seattle was part of the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, one of dozens of protests against police violence held across the United States. It came five months after Seattle Police Department (SPD)…
ID Number:2020.42.5.07.03.23
Date:2001
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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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