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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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124 results for: Popular Culture

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Image of Cesar Cardona and Margo Ramirez dancing during Cinco de Mayo celebration, Seattle, May 5, 1981
Photograph

Cesar Cardona and Margo Ramirez dancing during Cinco de Mayo celebration, Seattle, May 5, 1981

Cinco de Mayo marks a Mexican military victory over French forces in 1862. It is very popular among Mexican-Americans and is often celebrated with singing and dancing. In this image, Cesar Cardona and Margo Ramirez dance at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at South Seattle Community College in 1981. They are performing the jarabe tapatío, often referred to as the…
ID Number:2000.107.124.38.05
Date:1981
Image of Felipe Villaverde singing during Cinco de Mayo celebration at South Seattle Community College, May 5, 1981
Photograph

Felipe Villaverde singing during Cinco de Mayo celebration at South Seattle Community College, May 5, 1981

Cinco de Mayo marks a Mexican military victory over French forces in 1862. It is very popular among Mexican Americans and is often celebrated with singing and dancing. In this image, Felipe Villaverde sings at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at South Seattle Community College in 1981.
ID Number:2000.107.124.40.13
Date:1981
Photograph

Kids handing donation to J. P. Patches, Seattle, February 6, 1977

Julius Pierpont "J. P." Patches was a clown portrayed by entertainer Chris John Wedes (1928-2012) on the immensely popular " J.P. Patches Show" on Seattle's KIRO-TV from 1958 to 1981. In addition to the long-running TV show, J. P. Patches made frequent fundraising appearances for local charities. In this image Craig Annable, 14, Eric Otani, 2, Kristine Otani, 5, and…
ID Number:2000.107.171.09.06
Date:1977
Image of Crowd and wild Rainier stampede at Fat Tuesday parade, February 19, 1977
Photograph

Crowd and wild Rainier stampede at Fat Tuesday parade, February 19, 1977

Crowds jammed the Pioneer Square area for Seattle's first Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) celebration, February 1977. Among the costumed participants was a stampeding herd of wild Rainiers, as seen in the popular Rainier Beer commercials. The five-day event was peaceful during the day but got very unruly at night. Caption information source: The Seattle Times, February 21, 1977.Caption information also…
ID Number:2000.107.172.18.03
Date:1977
Image of Steve Sneed viewing restoration at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, Seattle, April 11, 1993
Photograph

Steve Sneed viewing restoration at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, Seattle, April 11, 1993

In 1969 the City of Seattle used federal Model Cities funds to purchase a building for use as a community center, the Chevra Bikur Cholim Synagogue, which was designed in 1915 by B. Marcus Priteca (1889-1971) and located at 104 17th Avenue South in the Central District neighborhood. In 1971 the building became the home of what is now known…
ID Number:2000.107.176.29.01
Date:1993
Image of Ivar's Dancing Clams at Pike Place Market, Seattle, May 7, 1991
Photograph

Ivar's Dancing Clams at Pike Place Market, Seattle, May 7, 1991

Beloved showman Ivar Haglund (1905-1985) established Seattle's first aquarium at Pier 54 and started a fish-and-chips stand in 1938 that grew into a restaurant empire. In 1946 Ivar opened the renowned "Acres of Clams" restaurant, one of 31 fish bars still operating in the region. Haglund first conceived of the Dancing Clams, shown here surprising a visitor at the Pike…
ID Number:2000.107.185.21.03
Date:1991
Image of Wheedle sitting with diners at the Space Needle, Seattle, July 19, 1982
Photograph

Wheedle sitting with diners at the Space Needle, Seattle, July 19, 1982

In 1974, the children's book "Wheedle on the Needle" debuted, offering a fanciful explanation of the blinking red light atop Seattle's Space Needle. Seattleites warmed to the gentle character of Wheedle, eventually adopting it as an icon of their city. From 1978-1985, the Seattle Supersonics made a redesigned Wheedle their mascot, and for most of the 1990s the Wheedle was…
ID Number:2000.107.185.26.08
Date:1982
Image of Cast members at look-alike contest at Twin Peaks Festival, Snoqualmie, August 1992
Photograph

Cast members at look-alike contest at Twin Peaks Festival, Snoqualmie, August 1992

The first Twin Peaks Festival was held August 14-16, 1992 to celebrate the cult TV show "Twin Peaks." The show was set in Washington and partially filmed in Snoqualmie, where the festival was held. In addition to opportunities to meet cast members, visitors could enjoy "mystery dinner theater" events, character look-alike contests, an auction of Dale Cooper's car used in…
ID Number:2000.107.211.03.01
Date:1992
Image of Twin Peaks cast signing autographs at festival, Snoqualmie, August 1992
Photograph

Twin Peaks cast signing autographs at festival, Snoqualmie, August 1992

The first Twin Peaks Festival was held August 14-16, 1992 to celebrate the cult TV show "Twin Peaks." The show was set in Washington and partially filmed in Snoqualmie, where the festival was held. In addition to opportunities to meet cast members, visitors could enjoy "mystery dinner theater" events, character look-alike contests, an auction of Dale Cooper's car used in…
ID Number:2000.107.211.03.02
Date:1992
Image of Terrez Weir painting at El Centro de la Raza's bilingual child care program, Seattle, September 1974
Photograph

Terrez Weir painting at El Centro de la Raza's bilingual child care program, Seattle, September 1974

As more women started working outside the home, child day care and after-school activities became critical. In the Seattle area, El Centro de la Raza (The Center for People of All Races) stepped in to provide this. In 1974, El Centro opened a bilingual day care program in the basement of Beacon Hill United Methodist Church. The center, run by…
ID Number:2000.107.19740924.2.11
Date:1974
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