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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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869 results for: Performing Arts and Music

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Image of Makah dancing at Colman Dock, Seattle, March 22, 1941
Photograph

Makah dancing at Colman Dock, Seattle, March 22, 1941

The Makah people of the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula refer to themselves as Kwih-dich-chuh-ahtx, which translates roughly to "the people who live by the rocks and seagulls." The early Makah were skilled mariners, using several types of canoes which they carved from western red cedar for various purposes - war, whaling, fishing, sealing, carrying cargo, and long voyages.…
ID Number:PI23844
Date:1941
Image of Indigenous dancers fancy dancing at the Ellensburg Rodeo, September 1945
Photograph

Indigenous dancers fancy dancing at the Ellensburg Rodeo, September 1945

The first rodeo at Ellensburg, Washington, opened in September 1923. For many years, the "Indian Village" was one of the more popular attractions at the rodeo. There, Indigenous people from many tribes camped in teepees and put on dancing and riding performances. In 1945, 100 Yakama Natives camped and performed at the rodeo and rode in its parades. In this…
ID Number:PI25362
Date:1945
Image of Franklin High School band marching for school bond issue, Seattle, March 12, 1946
Photograph

Franklin High School band marching for school bond issue, Seattle, March 12, 1946

In this image, Franklin High School's 40-piece band, wearing 1906-era clothing styles, paraded through downtown Seattle on behalf of a $10 million bond issue sought by school authorities for the purposes of acquiring and improving school sites. Their sign reads "Our schools O.K. in '06...but this is '46." Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to…
ID Number:PI25501
Date:1946
Image of Garfield High School band and drill team in Husky Stadium, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Garfield High School band and drill team in Husky Stadium, Seattle, 1937

The Seattle Public Schools' Parent Teacher Association and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer sponsored the city-wide high school football championship games. Over 25,000 fans crowded Washington Field on the University of Washington campus to root for their favorite teams. The second game pitted Roosevelt High School against Garfield High School. Roosevelt beat Garfield 16 to 8. This photo shows the Garfield High…
ID Number:PI25514
Date:1937
Image of Party on ski train to Snoqualmie Pass, January 28, 1939
Photograph

Party on ski train to Snoqualmie Pass, January 28, 1939

In the late 1930s, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad Company (called the Milwaukee Road) ran special trains to the Snoqualmie Ski Bowl near Hyak, Washington. The ski trains were very popular, and skiers sometimes turned the trip into a party.This January 1939 photo shows a group of young skiers singing and playing music as they travel on the…
ID Number:PI26880
Date:1939
Image of Women and servicemen dancing at the Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle, December 1942
Photograph

Women and servicemen dancing at the Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle, December 1942

Built on the former site of a Duwamish village, the Naval Reserve Armory was announced in 1937 but trouble with funding delayed completion of the project for several years. The Armory was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, a well-known theater architect, and William R. Grant. The Works Progress Administration, one of the New Deal agencies, constructed the building. Groundbreaking occurred…
ID Number:PI28212
Date:1942
Image of Women and servicemen dancing at the Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle, December 1942
Photograph

Women and servicemen dancing at the Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle, December 1942

Built on the former site of a Duwamish village, the Naval Reserve Armory was announced in 1937 but trouble with funding delayed completion of the project for several years. The Armory was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, a well-known theater architect, and William R. Grant. The Works Progress Administration, one of the New Deal agencies, constructed the building. Groundbreaking occurred…
ID Number:PI28213
Date:1942
Image of Pike Street, looking east from west of Second Avenue, Seattle, 1904
Photograph

Pike Street, looking east from west of Second Avenue, Seattle, 1904

By the first decade of the 20th century, Seattle's current downtown retail core had moved north from Pioneer Square. The Bon Marche Department Store's second location at Second Avenue and Pike Street had expanded, adding two floors above its original street level.In this image, a crowd gathers on a sunny summer afternoon to enjoy a band playing at an unidentified…
ID Number:SHS643
Date:1904
Image of Signal Corp marching band at Fort Lawton, August 6, 1946
Photograph

Signal Corp marching band at Fort Lawton, August 6, 1946

In 1897, the city of Seattle donated land on Magnolia Bluff to the US government to build a new Army post as part of a defense system for Puget Sound; this was designated as Fort Lawton in 1900. During most of its active service, the fort served as an embarkation station where troops gathered before being sent to duty in…
ID Number:SHS827
Date:1946
Image of Military band parading at Fort Lawton, Seattle, August 9, 1946
Photograph

Military band parading at Fort Lawton, Seattle, August 9, 1946

In 1897, the city of Seattle donated land on Magnolia Bluff to the US government to build a new Army post as part of a defense system for Puget Sound; this was designated as Fort Lawton in 1900. During most of its active service, the fort served as an embarkation station where troops gathered before being sent to duty in…
ID Number:SHS873
Date:1946
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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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