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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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415 results for: Entertainment

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Image of SFD annual charity ball ticket, November 25, 1908
Ephemera

SFD annual charity ball ticket, November 25, 1908

The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) was organized as an all-volunteer organization in 1876. The City Charter was amended in 1883 to fund equipment, but a paid, professional unit was not organized until after the great fire in 1889. Two years later the Seattle Fire Department Relief Association was founded as a result of the tragic death of Herman Larsen, the…
ID Number:1978.6700.13
Date:1908
Image of Spectators watching a circus parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Spectators watching a circus parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1900

In this image spectators perch on carts to watch the circus parade on Second Avenue at the corner of James Street in downtown Seattle. The large brick building across the street is the Butler Hotel, and the pale building to the left is a corner of the Seattle Hotel. Handwritten on verso: Street Scene on Circus day, Seattle Wash.
ID Number:1980.6923.53
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Crowd watching a circus parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1900
Photograph

Crowd watching a circus parade on Second Avenue, Seattle, circa 1900

In this image spectators perch on carts to watch the circus parade on Second Avenue at the corner of James Street in downtown Seattle. The large brick building across the street is the Butler Hotel, and the pale building to the left is a corner of the Seattle Hotel. Handwritten on verso: Street Scene, Seattle Wash. Waiting for the Circus…
ID Number:1980.6923.54
Date:Circa 1900
Image of Lake Washington Casino at Leschi Park, Seattle, circa 1890
Photograph

Lake Washington Casino at Leschi Park, Seattle, circa 1890

As Seattle’s wooded hills were logged, realtors developed the newly cleared lands. To attract prospective buyers to the new house lots, developers built a cable car line from Pioneer Square to the shores of Lake Washington, at what is now Leschi, and opened an amusement park there in 1888. Seattle entertainment manager John Cort opened his Lake Washington Casino (later…
ID Number:1980.6923.61
Date:Circa 1890
Image of Rehearsal of
Photograph

Rehearsal of "The Wayfarer" at Husky Stadium, Seattle, July 1921

In 1921, the Seattle Times organized the "Midsummer Fete," a week-long festival in July that included fireworks displays, dances, a parade of 7,000 members of Elks Lodges, and races between sailors of the U. S. Pacific Fleet, who were anchored in Elliott Bay for the event. In addition, a massive staging was presented of "The Wayfarer," a religious work combining…
ID Number:1980.7005.5
Date:1923
Image of Ladies Musical Club poster with autographs, Seattle, 1991-1992
Poster

Ladies Musical Club poster with autographs, Seattle, 1991-1992

A vigorous women's club movement began to sweep the nation in the mid-nineteenth century, enjoying a heyday from the 1890s through the 1920s, born from women's desire to participate in civic activities despite being denied voting rights. Washington state women were no exception to the wide enthusiasm for informal volunteer societies dedicated to charitable efforts, self-improvement, and social reform. Seattle's…
ID Number:1981.7337.41.1
Date:1991-1992
Image of Eighth grade girls in Greek costume on steps of Madrona School, Seattle, 1923
Photograph

Eighth grade girls in Greek costume on steps of Madrona School, Seattle, 1923

In this image the girls of the eighth grade at Madrona school pose on the steps outside the school, wearing costumes for their ancient-Greece-inspired performance at their graduation ceremony. The individuals are identified (in no particular order) as: Sophie Lundvall, Priscilla Storey, Dorothy Tenant, Charlotte Kinnear, Charis Pettie, Donna Bolch, Julia Smith, Margaret F. Thompson, Eugenia Ballis, Muriel Bearse, Dorothy…
ID Number:1982.158.4
Date:1923
Image of Carousel at entrance to Woodland Park, 1924
Photograph

Carousel at entrance to Woodland Park, 1924

In June 1919, George (1874-circa 1938) and Lucy Vincent (1893-1990) opened a carousel, Ferris wheel, and dance pavilion at 5501 Phinney Avenue, directly across the street from Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. Despite initial protests by neighbors and the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners, who objected to having the dance pavilion so close to Woodland Park, the Vincents operated the business…
ID Number:1983.10.316
Date:1924
Image of Ferris wheels and crowds at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup , circa 1924
Photograph

Ferris wheels and crowds at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup , circa 1924

The Western Washington Fair celebrated its 25th anniversary at Puyallup in 1924. The fair still takes place every September. In this photo, people walk along the midway of the Western Washington Fair, talking with one another and watching the amuseument rides. Webster & Stevens number: 109734.5
ID Number:1983.10.378.2
Date:Circa 1924
Image of Performers on the stage of the Palace Hip Theater, April 21, 1927
Photograph

Performers on the stage of the Palace Hip Theater, April 21, 1927

Vaudeville was a popular form of live entertainment in the 1920s. The Palace Hip was one of Seattle's most popular vaudeville theaters. It cost only ten cents to see seven live performances of singing, dancing, and comedy. The theater was located at the corner of Second and Spring Streets. In this photo, the entertainers pose on the ornate stage for…
ID Number:1983.10.695.2
Date:1927
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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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