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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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316 results for: Recreation

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Image of Cowen Park, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Cowen Park, Seattle, circa 1911

Cowen Park is located on the west end of Ravenna Park. Charles Cowen deeded the property to the city for park purposes in 1906. Both parks once supported huge old-growth trees, but these disappeared in a series of controversial logging efforts through the years. Handwritten on sleeve: Cowan [sic] Park.Photographer's Reference Number: 8124
ID Number:1983.10.7951
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Man with large tree in Ravenna Park, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Man with large tree in Ravenna Park, Seattle, circa 1911

Handwritten on sleeve: Ravenna Park.Photographer's Reference Number: 8140
ID Number:1983.10.7952.1
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Children in wading pool at Lincoln Park, Seattle, circa 1911
Photograph

Children in wading pool at Lincoln Park, Seattle, circa 1911

Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill, so named because of the Lincoln Reservoir near Broadway and Pine Streets, once had many attractions for Seattle's children: a wading pool, sand pile, playground, and large ball field. As the city grew and the neighborhood's population changed, there were fewer families with young children. By the 1930s, complaints were heard about deteriorating playground equipment,…
ID Number:1983.10.7988
Date:Circa 1911
Image of Girls with hoops in playground, circa 1910
Photograph

Girls with hoops in playground, circa 1910

For many years, Seattle's parks and playgrounds have had organized play activities led by adults. In the early years, boys and girls played in separate groups. Starting in 1910, the parks held an annual Play Festival in which the children showed off their games, dances, races, exercises, gymnastics, and other activities.This photo shows a group of girls doing hoop exercises…
ID Number:1983.10.8407
Date:Circa 1910
Image of Story hour at Collins Playground, Seattle, circa 1912
Photograph

Story hour at Collins Playground, Seattle, circa 1912

Collins Playground, on South Main Street and Fourteenth Avenue South was the site of the Seattle Public Library's first extension programs for children. Librarians traveled to the playground for story hours and other activities. By 1911, the library was presenting programs at five city playgrounds.In this photo, taken about 1912, children are listening to a library story program at Seattle's…
ID Number:1983.10.8410
Date:Circa 1912
Image of Story hour at Collins Playground, circa 1912
Photograph

Story hour at Collins Playground, circa 1912

Collins Playground, on South Main Street and Fourteenth Avenue South was the site of the Seattle Public Library's first extension programs for children. Librarians traveled to the playground for story hours and other activities. By 1911, the library was presenting programs at five city playgrounds.In this photo, taken about 1912, children are listening to a library story program at Seattle's…
ID Number:1983.10.8411
Date:Circa 1912
Image of President Taft at the Seattle Golf and Country Club, October 1, 1909
Photograph

President Taft at the Seattle Golf and Country Club, October 1, 1909

At the end of September 1909, President William H. Taft visited Seattle for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. During his visit, he played nine holes of golf at the Seattle Golf and Country Club. The president was presented with a silver trophy which the club had bought especially for the occasion.This photo shows President Taft and other golfers at the Seattle Golf…
ID Number:1983.10.8433
Date:1909
Image of Collins Playground, Seattle, circa 1909
Photograph

Collins Playground, Seattle, circa 1909

Handwritten on sleeve: Collins Playground.
ID Number:1983.10.8568
Date:Circa 1909
Image of Lincoln Park baseball, circa 1915
Photograph

Lincoln Park baseball, circa 1915

In 1900, Seattle's original Lincoln Playfield was built on Eleventh Avenue East between Pine Street and Denny Way. The popular baseball field was located south of the reservoir, near Broadway High School. By 1908, the park board reported that neighbors had started to complain about the players' bad language and "undesirable loafing."This photo shows a crowd of fans watching a…
ID Number:1983.10.8628.2
Date:Circa 1915
Image of Girls playing on slide, Seattle, circa 1910
Photograph

Girls playing on slide, Seattle, circa 1910

Handwritten on sleeve: Girls on Slide.Webster & Stevens number: 15246
ID Number:1983.10.8636
Date:Circa 1910
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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.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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