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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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707 results for: Labor and Labor Unions

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Image of Woman in work clothes waiting to cross street, Seattle, 1942
Photograph

Woman in work clothes waiting to cross street, Seattle, 1942

During World War II, many women were trained to fill the jobs left by men serving in the military. Women did auto repair, aircraft assembly and other jobs once considered men's work. Handwritten on image: Women slacks.Handwritten on sleeve: Fashions - slacks - women's.Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by…
ID Number:PI21377
Date:1942
Image of Men emptying cement into form at dam construction site, circa 1937
Photograph

Men emptying cement into form at dam construction site, circa 1937

After much research, the United States Bureau of Reclamation and its contractor, the MWAK Company, developed a very strong type of concrete for the Grand Coulee Dam. Two concrete mixing plants built at the dam site supplied 640 cubic yards of concrete per hour, breaking all earlier records. Traveling cranes moved the concrete to the building site in huge buckets.This…
ID Number:PI22043
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937

In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration hired some 9,000 unemployed King County residents on 271 different projects ranging from improving roads and parks to serving school lunches. Congress reduced funding for the WPA in 1937, causing nationwide layoffs. In Seattle, some workers stormed the WPA offices to protest the layoffs. Others staged sitdown strikes or picketed on downtown sidewalks.This…
ID Number:PI22387
Date:1937
Image of Woman serving soup to WPA strikers, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Woman serving soup to WPA strikers, Seattle, 1937

In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration hired some 9,000 unemployed King County residents on 271 different projects ranging from improving roads and parks to serving school lunches. Congress reduced funding for the WPA in 1937, causing nationwide layoffs. In Seattle, some workers stormed the WPA offices to protest the layoffs. Others staged sitdown strikes or picketed on downtown sidewalks.…
ID Number:PI22389
Date:1937
Image of Labor Day Parade on Fourth Avenue, September 2, 1940
Photograph

Labor Day Parade on Fourth Avenue, September 2, 1940

On September 2, 1940, bands, floats and marching union members joined in Seattle's Labor Day parade. A 40-piece band and more than 1,000 members of the International Longshoremen & Warehousemen's Union Local 1-19 led the parade, followed by groups representing printers, airplane mechanics, fishermen, shingle weavers, post office clerks and many other workers.In this photo, taken during the 1940 Labor…
ID Number:PI23358
Date:1940
Image of Indigenous berry pickers on Vashon Island, June 1943
Photograph

Indigenous berry pickers on Vashon Island, June 1943

The United States' entry into World War II in December 1941 created labor shortages as many men left civilian jobs to join the military. On the West Coast, the shortage was exacerbated by the forced removal of Japanese Americans, many of whom were farmers. In the summer of 1943, the Vashon Island Packing Company hired 80 First Nations people from…
ID Number:PI23856
Date:1943
Image of Indigenous workers in a strawberry field, Vashon Island, June 1943
Photograph

Indigenous workers in a strawberry field, Vashon Island, June 1943

The United States' entry into World War II in December 1941 created labor shortages as many men left civilian jobs to join the military. On the West Coast, the shortage was exacerbated by the forced removal of Japanese Americans, many of whom were farmers.In the summer of 1943, the Vashon Island Packing Company hired 80 First Nations people from British…
ID Number:PI23857
Date:1943
Image of Indigenous workers in berry field, Vashon Island, June 1943
Photograph

Indigenous workers in berry field, Vashon Island, June 1943

The United States' entry into World War II in December 1941 created labor shortages as many men left civilian jobs to join the military. On the West Coast, the shortage was exacerbated by the forced removal of Japanese Americans, many of whom were farmers.In the summer of 1943, the Vashon Island Packing Company hired 80 First Nations people from British…
ID Number:PI23858
Date:1943
Image of Men working on B-17 engines at the Boeing plant, November 1940
Photograph

Men working on B-17 engines at the Boeing plant, November 1940

In 1940, some 7,500 Boeing Aircraft Company employees worked 24 hours per day to build B-17 Flying Fortress bombers for the British and American military. These long-range propeller-driven planes were capable of attacking an enemy fleet more than 1,000 miles offshore and conducting bombing raids on Germany from England. At this time, the United States had not yet entered World…
ID Number:PI23926
Date:1940
Image of Man shaping a hat at the J.T. Hardeman Hat Company, Seattle, 1935
Photograph

Man shaping a hat at the J.T. Hardeman Hat Company, Seattle, 1935

Polk's 1935 Seattle city directory lists the J.T. Hardeman Hat Company at 700 Republican Street, in what is now known as the South Lake Union neighborhood. The firm made men's fur felt hats. Handwritten on negative: Hats Candid.Handwritten on sleeve: Hats - men's.Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a…
ID Number:PI23969
Date:1935
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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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