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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 International Sweethearts of Rhythm female jazz band, Seattle, September 1944
Photograph

International Sweethearts of Rhythm female jazz band, Seattle, September 1944

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the country's only integrated all-women band, came to Seattle in September 1944. This photo shows the tombone section during a performance at the Black and Tan nightclub. Their music stands are decorated with flowers and hearts.
ID Number:2014.49.002.028.0104
Date:1944
Image of Group at Roslyn Black Pioneers picnic, 1983
Photograph

Group at Roslyn Black Pioneers picnic, 1983

Roslyn is a town in the Cascade Mountains about 80 miles southeast of Seattle. It was founded in 1886 by a subsidiary of the Northern Pacific Railroad as a coal mining town. In 1888 the miners went on strike and the company responded by bringing in strikebreakers, including about 300 Black miners, most of whom did not know they were…
ID Number:2014.49.02.100.13
Date:1983
Image of Group at Roslyn Black Pioneers picnic, 1983
Photograph

Group at Roslyn Black Pioneers picnic, 1983

Roslyn is a town in the Cascade Mountains about 80 miles southeast of Seattle. It was founded in 1886 by a subsidiary of the Northern Pacific Railroad as a coal mining town. In 1888 the miners went on strike and the company responded by bringing in strikebreakers, including about 300 Black miners, most of whom did not know they were…
ID Number:2014.49.02.100.15
Date:1983
Image of Izzy Smith with Butch Smith and a friend at Granite Falls, circa 1950
Photograph

Izzy Smith with Butch Smith and a friend at Granite Falls, circa 1950

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images and photographs of the city's Black community, photographer Al Smith took many photos of his family and close friends. Here, Isabelle "Izzy" (Donaldson) Smith and Al "Butch" Smith, Jr. (at right), the wife and son of the photographer, pose with another boy on the rocks at Granite Falls during a family outing.
ID Number:2014.49.003.039.0298
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Children around table at birthday party, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Children around table at birthday party, Seattle, circa 1950

Best known for his photos of Seattle's Jackson Street area jazz clubs and musicians, photographer Al Smith also photographed family, friends, and local people in their everyday lives. Here, Smith photographs 21 children in fancy hats posing around a table at a birthday party. Several presents and a large cake with candles sit atop the table.
ID Number:2014.49.003.040.0301
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Don Alexander and Charlena Mace dancing at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, 1984
Photograph

Don Alexander and Charlena Mace dancing at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, 1984

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.010.11
Date:1984
Image of Man at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, circa 1985
Photograph

Man at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, circa 1985

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s, when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.022.14
Date:Circa 1985
Image of Izzy Smith looking through window, circa 1948
Photograph

Izzy Smith looking through window, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images and photographs of the city's Black community, photographer Al Smith took many photos of his family and close friends. Here, he photographs his wife Isabelle "Izzy" (Donaldson) Smith looking out of the window of a cabin during a family vacation.
ID Number:2014.49.004.023.0105
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Woman at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, circa 1985
Photograph

Woman at ROOTS Family Picnic, Seattle, circa 1985

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s, when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.024.10
Date:Circa 1985
Image of Izzy and Butch Smith at a sandbox, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Izzy and Butch Smith at a sandbox, Seattle, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images and photographs of the city's Black community, photographer Al Smith took many photos of his family and close friends. Here he photographs his wife, Isabelle "Izzy" (Donaldson) Smith, and son, Al "Butch" Smith, Jr. sitting on the edge of a sandbox at a local playground.
ID Number:2014.49.004.026.0133
Date:Circa 1948
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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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Phone: 206 324 1126
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