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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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1183 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Gerald Wells playing saxophone, Seattle, June 22, 1944
Photograph

Gerald Wells playing saxophone, Seattle, June 22, 1944

Gerald Wells played sax with an unidentified band at Seattle's Union Club, 103 Cherry Street, on June 22, 1944. Written on negative sleeve: Bea Shaggs and Co. at South Seas 6-22-44
ID Number:2014.49.002.024.0081
Date:1944
Image of Large group seated at a bar, circa 1947
Photograph

Large group seated at a bar, circa 1947

This photo shows a group of friends enjoying themselves at a bar. From left to right: "Horse Mustard" the bartender, Frank Fair (fourth from left), Geraldine (Hunt) Follings, Vera (Smith) Gale, Catherine Polk, Marjorie Polk Sotero, Doris Hickman Height, and Bob Groves (smiling man behind Height).
ID Number:2014.49.002.024.0082
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Costumed women dancing, June 22, 1944
Photograph

Costumed women dancing, June 22, 1944

Four unidentified women in costume dance at a club or hall, while the audience, seated at tables, looks on. Handwriting on the negative sleeve identifies this as "Bea Shaggs and Co. at South Seas 6-22-44."
ID Number:2014.49.002.024.0200
Date:1944
Image of Count Basie's orchestra at the Trianon, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Count Basie's orchestra at the Trianon, Seattle, circa 1947

An unidentified singer with Count Basie's orchestra stands at the microphone at the Trianon at 218 Wall St, with the orchestra behind him. Behind the singer and to the left is Willie Smith on saxophone. Audience members sit in the foreground on wicker chairs. Written on negative sleeve: Jazz / Eagles / Jimmy Lunceford
ID Number:2014.49.002.025.0083
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Jimmie Lunceford band at the Trianon Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Jimmie Lunceford band at the Trianon Ballroom, Seattle, circa 1947

This photo shows the Jimmie Lunceford band performing before a packed audience at the Trianon Ballroom at 218 Wall Street. Band leader Jimmie Lunceford stands to the right of an unidentified saxophonist at the microphone. Written on negative sleeve: Jazz / Eagles / Jimmy Lunceford
ID Number:2014.49.002.025.0084
Date:Circa 1947
Image of View from behind the brass section at the Trianon, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

View from behind the brass section at the Trianon, Seattle, circa 1947

Here, at Seattle's Trianon Ballroom, a black trumpet player plays with an unidentified band while the white audience looks on. For many years, the Trianon Ballroom, 218 Wall Street, was a segregated club. While black bands might play, black patrons were restricted to one night a week at most. Written on negative sleeve: Jazz / Eagles / Jimmy Lunceford
ID Number:2014.49.002.025.0085
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Hazel Smith dancing in crowd, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Hazel Smith dancing in crowd, Seattle, circa 1947

This double exposure shows two superimposed images of a crowd dancing. The women near the center of the photo, with arm raised, is identified as Hazel Smith. Written on negative sleeve: Jazz / Eagles / Jimmy Lunceford
ID Number:2014.49.002.025.0086
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Trumpet player Erskine Hawkins performing at the Civic Auditorium, Seattle, October 14, 1944
Photograph

Trumpet player Erskine Hawkins performing at the Civic Auditorium, Seattle, October 14, 1944

Trumpet player Erskine Hawkins was best known for composing ""Tuxedo Junction"". Here, Hawkins plays the trumpet at Seattle's Civic Auditorium on October 14, 1944. Fan Helen Truhill, at the edge of the stage, smiles toward the camera. Written on negative sleeve: 10-14-44 Erskine Hawkins Civic Audit.
ID Number:2014.49.002.026.0089
Date:1944
Image of Jazz pianist and audience, October 14, 1944
Photograph

Jazz pianist and audience, October 14, 1944

A jazz pianist smiles toward the camera as the audience moves around below the stage. Written on negative sleeve: 10-14-44 Erskine Hawkins Civic Audit.
ID Number:2014.49.002.026.0091
Date:1944
Image of Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet with his band, Seattle, July 17, 1944
Photograph

Louis Armstrong playing the trumpet with his band, Seattle, July 17, 1944

Trumpet player Louis Armstrong and his band played Seattle's Civic Auditorium on July 17 and 18, 1944. Many of his fans at the edge of the stage are in military dress. Written on negative page: 7-17-44 Louis Armstrong [band?] / Opening night Madison USO 9-16-44Caption information source: Seattle Daily Times, July 14, 1944, p. 10.
ID Number:2014.49.002.027.0094
Date:1944
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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.
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