Exhibits

MOHAI presents a major new exhibit examining more than 150 years of Seattle history with compelling images, artifacts, films, and oral histories.

From the day Captain George Vancouver’s ship first sailed into Elliott Bay in 1792 to the present, Essential Seattle takes you on an illuminating journey through the key events that shaped the modern city, focusing on the fascinating and diverse people who shaped this unique region. More Info

Take a journey through 20th century fisheries, seen through the eyes of the average worker. See the invention that mechanized the processing of salmon, won an award at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, and carried a derogatory name that signified the displacement of hundreds of butchers. More Info

Boeing’s B-1 flying boat,
Slo-Mo-Shun IV,
Lincoln Towing Pink Toe Truck,
Hammons House,
Eddie Bauer’s Cougar,
Holsman Horseless Carriage,
Running Rainier Bottle,
Ivory & Baleen Collection,
“All Roads Lead to the Doghouse” sign,
and more…
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In the early 1900s, at a time when outdoor recreation was enjoying a rise in popularity throughout the country, promotional literature referred to Seattle as “America’s playground among the evergreens.” Surrounded by water and mountains, Seattle residents and the city’s promoters recognized the city’s potential as an outdoor paradise. Explore how Northwest outdoor enthusiasts from previous generations played a part in inventing water skis, founding the Mountaineers and REI, and inspiring thousands to take part in a range of team and individual sports. More Info

Surrounding MOHAI in McCurdy Park is a Garden of Iconic Objects, including the 1890 Seattle fire bell, a deck gun from the USS COLORADO, a Japanese maple from the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, a paper pulp millstone, and functioning gas street lamps. More Info

MOHAI has a number of notable treasures that are perennial favorites with visitors.
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