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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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584 results for: Asian American

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Image of Chinese Baptist Church 5 Years Celebration & New Year Talk poster, Seattle, 1989
Ephemera

Chinese Baptist Church 5 Years Celebration & New Year Talk poster, Seattle, 1989

The Chinese Baptist Church building on South King Street in the Chinatown - International District, completed in 1924, served as a focal point for the local Chinese spiritual community for over half a century. In 1977, the congregation moved into a new building in the Beacon Hill neighborhood and the building was purchased by the Cathay Post of the American…
ID Number:2002.23.8.14.3
Date:1989
Image of Ruby Chow County Council swearing in, Seattle, January 14, 1974
Photograph

Ruby Chow County Council swearing in, Seattle, January 14, 1974

Ruby Chow (1920-2008) was a Chinese-American activist and restaurateur who was active in the community for over 50 years. She was born in Seattle and grew up in what was then Chinatown (now Chinatown - International District). In 1948, Ruby and her husband Ping opened Ruby Chow’s Restaurant, which quickly became popular, especially with celebrities and dignitaries. Chow became the…
ID Number:2002.46.881.9
Date:1974
Image of Six men in turbans performing in the
Photograph

Six men in turbans performing in the "Pageant of Democracy," Woodland Park, Seattle," July 5, 1920

A "Pageant of Democracy," celebrating the history and promise of democracy across the globe, was performed in Woodland Park as part of Seattle's 1920 Fourth of July celebrations held on Monday, July 5. The event was one of several put on by the Central Labor Council in Woodland Park that day. Nearly all of those taking part in the "Pageant…
ID Number:2011.82.23
Date:1920
Image of Bush Garden menu, circa 1965
Menu

Bush Garden menu, circa 1965

Bush Garden, which is still in operation today, opened in 1953. This Japanese restaurant is located at 614 Maynard Ave. The trifold menu features color photographs of the restaurant by local commercial photographer Walt Scarff and has a detatchable souvenir postcard.
ID Number:2014.3.1.1
Date:Circa 1965
Image of King Fur Cafe menu, circa 1955
Menu

King Fur Cafe menu, circa 1955

In the 1930s, several Chinese nightspots opened in Seattle's Chinatown neighborhood (now the Chinatown-international District), catering to both Asian and non-Asian customers. Among them was the King Fur Cafe at 709 1/2 King Street, run by long-time manager Fred Eng until around the 1960s. King Fur Cafe offered both Chinese and American dishes, in addition to music and dancing in…
ID Number:2014.3.1.4
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Chin Gee Hee Building, Seattle, circa 2018
Photograph

Chin Gee Hee Building, Seattle, circa 2018

Local Chinese merchant and labor contractor Chin Gee Hee (1844-1929) and a partner built two commercial buildings on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Second Avenue, in Seattle’s original Chinatown. After these were destroyed by Seattle’s 1889 Great Fire, the partners rebuilt them in brick. These were the Phoenix Hotel, facing Second Avenue, and the neighboring Chin Gee Hee…
ID Number:2014.43.2.2.ARCH121
Date:Circa 2018
Image of Chin Gee Hee Building, Seattle, circa 2018
Photograph

Chin Gee Hee Building, Seattle, circa 2018

Local Chinese merchant and labor contractor Chin Gee Hee (1844-1929) and a partner built two commercial buildings on the northeast corner of Washington Street and Second Avenue, in Seattle’s original Chinatown. After these were destroyed by Seattle’s 1889 Great Fire, the partners rebuilt them in brick. These were the Phoenix Hotel, facing Second Avenue, and the neighboring Chin Gee Hee…
ID Number:2014.43.2.2.ARCH121B
Date:Circa 2018
Image of Ichiban restaurant at 6th Ave. S. and S. Main St. , Seattle, 2008
Photograph

Ichiban restaurant at 6th Ave. S. and S. Main St. , Seattle, 2008

Koji and Mayumi Ogawa opened Ichiban restaurant at 601 Main Street, in the Panama Hotel building, around 1983. The small restaurant served homestyle Japanese food to its customers in the Nihonmachi or Japantown area in Seattle’s Chinatown - International District for 27 years. In early May 2010, the Ogawas posted a “Farewell letter to our loyal customers and friends” announcing…
ID Number:2014.43.2.2.MISC178
Date:2008
Image of Taiko drummers performing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, July 2015
Photograph

Taiko drummers performing at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, July 2015

During the summer of 1932, the Seattle Buddhist Church held the city's first Bon Odori festival. Bon Odori is a Japanese dance which is part of the observance of Obon, a Buddhist memorial service. The joyful dance, which celebrates the Buddhist tradition of selfless giving, expresses gratitude to departed family members. Over the years, the festival grew to include flower…
ID Number:2014.43.2.4.MUSIC433
Date:2015
Image of Protesters at the groundbreaking for Seattle's Kingdome, November 2, 1972
Photograph

Protesters at the groundbreaking for Seattle's Kingdome, November 2, 1972

A deputy of the King County Department of Public Safety attempts to confront demonstrators who are protesting the construction of the Kingdome stadium at the western edge of the Chinatown - International District, Seattle's longtime Asian American neighborhood. A lawsuit to stop the stadium had failed, and activists were concerned that its construction and need for more parking would overwhelm…
ID Number:2014.49.Box22.Folder23.001
Date:1972
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