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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 Dancers at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, circa 1935
Photograph

Dancers at Bon Odori festival, Seattle, circa 1935

During the summer of 1932, Seattle's first Bon Odori festival was held by the Seattle Buddhist Church (Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple). Bon Odori is a traditional Japanese style of dancing performed during Obon, a Buddhist memorial service. The joyful dance celebrates selfless giving and expresses gratitude to departed family members and ancestors. Over the years, the annual open-to-all event has…
ID Number:PI22458
Date:Circa 1935
Image of Chinese community marchers in Potlatch parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, 1938
Photograph

Chinese community marchers in Potlatch parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, 1938

Seattle's Potlatch of Progress opened July 28, 1938. During its four sunny days of events, Seattleites and visitors enjoyed several parades, a Native American canoe race, a swim carnival, horseracing, fishing contests, fireworks at Green Lake and the dedication of Alaskan Way.This photo shows a group from Seattle's Chinese community marching in a parade on Second Avenue. Note the streetcar…
ID Number:PI22612
Date:1938
Image of Japanese Chamber of Commerce float in Potlatch parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, 1939
Photograph

Japanese Chamber of Commerce float in Potlatch parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, 1939

Seattle's 1939 Potlatch Festival opened July 25 and ran for five days. Its Golden Jubilee theme celebrated Washington's 50 years of statehood. Events included a Western horse show, an original play on the history of Seattle, visiting warships, a beauty contest and three parades. On the last day of the festival, an estimated 300,000 people lined the streets and watched…
ID Number:PI22619
Date:1939
Image of INS detainees playing mah jong at Immigration Station, Seattle, November 15, 1938
Photograph

INS detainees playing mah jong at Immigration Station, Seattle, November 15, 1938

The United States Immigration Station and Assay Office was built for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1932, and served as the entry and exit point for immigrants arriving in Seattle. The bulk of the operation was dedicated to enforcing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which placed a moratorium on labor immigration for people of Chinese ethnicity. As such,…
ID Number:PI24516
Date:1938
Image of Soccer team with championship pennant, January, 1936
Photograph

Soccer team with championship pennant, January, 1936

Soccer teams from Seattle's Washington and Beacon Hill grade schools were the finalists in the 1935 league championships. After Washington beat Beacon Hill 2 to 1 to win the title, team members posed for their picture with their trophy and banner. The initials on the banner stand for Public School Athletic League. Most of the team members were Japanese Americans…
ID Number:PI25750
Date:1936
Image of Bailey Gatzert School PTA officers, Seattle, 1946
Photograph

Bailey Gatzert School PTA officers, Seattle, 1946

The leaders of the Parent Teacher Association at Bailey Gatzert School reflected the diverse backgrounds of the student body. In the late 1940s, the school children were 10 percent Chinese American, 20 percent African American, 5 percent Filipino American, 27 percent Japanese American, and 35 percent European American, with 3 percent Native American. Caption slip identified officers as Minnie Beach,…
ID Number:PI25782
Date:1946
Image of Japanese Americans surrendering equipment to police, Seattle, December 29, 1941
Photograph

Japanese Americans surrendering equipment to police, Seattle, December 29, 1941

On February 19, 1942, shortly after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and United States entry into WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, calling for the exclusion of all civilians of Japanese descent from "designated military areas." More than 9,000 Japanese and Japanese American people living in the Pacific Northwest were forced into incarceration at camps in Idaho and…
ID Number:PI28030
Date:1941
Image of Man stacking radios surrendered by Japanese Americans, Seattle, December 29, 1941
Photograph

Man stacking radios surrendered by Japanese Americans, Seattle, December 29, 1941

On February 19, 1942, shortly after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and United States entry into WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, calling for the exclusion of all civilians of Japanese descent from "designated military areas." More than 9,000 Japanese and Japanese American people living in the Pacific Northwest were forced into incarceration at camps in Idaho and…
ID Number:PI28032
Date:1942
Image of Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, 1942
Photograph

Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, 1942

Shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, calling for the exclusion of all Japanese and Japanese Americans from "designated military areas." Although the United States was at war with Germany and Italy, few Italian and German Americans were placed in incarceration camps.This March 1942 photo shows Japanese Americans registering at the Seattle chapter…
ID Number:PI28033
Date:1942
Image of Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, 1942
Photograph

Japanese Americans registering for exclusion, Seattle, 1942

Shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, calling for the exclusion of all Japanese and Japanese Americans from "designated military areas." Although the United States was at war with Germany and Italy, few Italian and German Americans were placed in incarceration camps.This March 1942 photo shows Japanese Americans registering at the Seattle chapter…
ID Number:PI28034
Date:1942
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Land Acknowledgement

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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